The Bible does not directly address holistic medicine, as this term refers to a modern approach to health and wellness. However, the Bible provides principles and insights that can inform a Christian perspective on holistic medicine.
At the heart of a holistic view of medicine is the belief that true health encompasses the whole person – body, mind and spirit. The Bible affirms this connection, teaching that humans are both physical and spiritual beings (Genesis 2:7). Our lives are meant to honor God in all areas, including how we care for our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
The Bible promotes preventative health measures like proper rest, exercise and nutrition. God designed our bodies with a natural capacity for self-healing, and Christians should be wise stewards of this gift. However, the Bible cautions against trusting in ourselves more than God (Proverbs 3:5-8). All healing ultimately comes from the Lord, who sovereignly sustains our lives (Psalm 103:1-3).
The Bible affirms the medicinal value of nature that God created. Herbs, essential oils and natural remedies can be useful when properly submitted to God (1 Timothy 4:4-5). Yet caution is needed against viewing these as quick fixes or replacements for a healthy lifestyle.
Holistic medicine emphasizes the interconnectedness of the person. The Bible agrees that our spiritual, mental and physical states impact each other. Renewing our minds (Romans 12:2), resisting stress and anxiety (Philippians 4:6-9), and cultivating virtues like joy and peace (Galatians 5:22-23) can positively influence physical health.
A holistic approach seeks to care for the whole person. The Bible commands Christians to show such care for others both physically (Matthew 25:34-40) and spiritually (Hebrews 10:24-25). Churches should provide support in all areas that affect health – economic, social, emotional, and communal as well as physical.
At times, holistic medicine adopts New Age beliefs or mystical Eastern practices that Christians should shun. Discernment is needed to weed out unbiblical elements. Any treatment involving occult practices is incompatible with Christian faith (Deuteronomy 18:9-13).
In summary, holistic medicine contains many principles in harmony with Scripture. Christians should evaluate each practice carefully in light of biblical wisdom. True healing comes from Christ and must align with godly principles. We should humbly acknowledge His authority over every area of our health.
Bible Verses on Caring for Our Bodies
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1)
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” (3 John 1:2)
Bible Verses on Using Herbs and Natural Medicine
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14)
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1)
“And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2)
“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.” (Genesis 9:3)
“And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” (Genesis 1:29)
Bible Verses on Healing Coming from God
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” (Psalm 103:2-4)
“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.” (Matthew 9:35)
Bible Verses on Caring for Others Holistically
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
Bible Verses on Renewing Our Minds and Spirits
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
Bible Verses Warning Against New Age or Occult Practices
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” (Isaiah 43:10)
“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations.” (Deuteronomy 18:9)
“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.” (Exodus 22:18)
“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
“And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19)