Are medications a lack of faith? What does the Bible say?
Understanding Faith in Medicine
Some believers wrestle with the idea that using medication may indicate a lack of faith in God's healing power. However, the Bible presents a more nuanced and balanced view.
It teaches that faith and the use of practical means, like medicine, are not mutually exclusive but often work together in God's provision for healing. God uses means to heal.
One clear example comes from the story of Hezekiah, the king of Judah. In Isaiah 38 verses 1 to 5, Hezekiah becomes terminally ill, and the prophet Isaiah tells him he will die. Hezekiah turns his face to the wall and prays to the Lord.
God hears his prayer and promises to add 15 years to his life. But notice Isaiah 38 verse 21. Isaiah had said, Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover. Even though God declared healing.
This shows that God often chooses to work through physical means, like medicine or doctors, as an expression of His healing grace. Using medication did not displease God. In fact, it was part of His divine instruction. Jesus and Practical Healing During His earthly ministry, Jesus.performed many miracles of healing.
But He also validated physical care. In Luke 10 verses 33 to 34, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Oil and wine were used as medicinal agents at that time.
Jesus didn't condemn the use of these practical methods. Instead, He praised the Samaritan's compassion and care. This shows that healing through physical means is godly and honorable. The Apostle Paul's Wisdom Paul, a man of great faith, gave practical advice regarding illness.
In 1 Timothy 5 verse 23, he advises Timothy. Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. Paul didn't simply say, Have faith and you'll be fine. He prescribed a remedy. This highlights that physical care and faith are not at odds, they work together.
Hidden Truth, Faith Isn't Blindness to Help. The hidden truth is this, faith is not ignoring God-given help, it is trusting God through all the means he provides, spiritual and physical. Refusing medication out of fear of lacking faith can be a misunderstanding of how God works.
Consider this, if you were hungry and God provided food, would you refuse it and say, I'm waiting for a miracle? No. Just as God provides food to sustain the body, He provides medicine and wisdom to sustain health.
God is sovereign over all healing, whether through a miracle or medicine, healing comes from Him. Faith embraces God's provision, refusing medicine can sometimes be pride disguised as piety. Healing is holistic. God is sovereign over all healing, whether through a miracle or medicine, healing is holistic.
Scripture shows emotional, physical and spiritual healing often work together. God can use science, modern medicine is not godless, it is often a fulfillment of God's knowledge released to humanity.
Using medication is not a lack of faith, it is often an act of wisdom and stewardship. God created herbs, knowledge and people with healing gifts. True faith is not proved by refusing help but by trusting God in every season, including when He leads us to take medicine. God works through both miracles and means.
Stay Blessed.