“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

God created our body to resist sicknesses and diseases but if for some reasons the natural defenses of our bodies are weakened, sickness can secure a foothold. It may be the result of undue physical strain or our failure to take care of the body properly but this is the effect of our fallen nature. The desire of God is that His people are strong and in health physically, mentally, emotionally as well as spiritually and it is our responsibility to ensure that.

Repentance, prayer, laying on of hands, anointing with oil, forgiveness, breaking of curses, casting out demons, if fuelled by faith will result in deliverance and divine healing. It is the promise of God but His desire for His people is that they live a life totally free from sicknesses and diseases, i.e., living in God-given health.

Here are some biblical pointers for good health:
Pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, scientists and chemists have tried for ages to develop the most effective medicine that can not only cure all sickness and disease, but can also help maintain good health. Unbeknownst to them, such “medicine” actually exists. God has dispensed it to all who believe and all that is required of us is to reach out by faith and partake of it daily.

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20-22 (KJV)

Proverbs 4:20-22 is God’s supernatural prescription to God-given health for whomsoever will partake of it. It is a promise that has more to do with immunity from sicknesses than just the assurance of healing.
The key to maintaining such health is to attend to God’s Word. It does not say “know God’s Word” for even the devil knows it. “To attend to” is “to give top priority,” or “to focus upon.” The expressions “attend to,” “incline your ear,” “let them not depart,” and “keep them” require a wholehearted giving of oneself to the Word of God. This is God’s “prescription” for good health and if taken as directed, the Word will become health (or “medicine” in the original Hebrew text) to a person’s body. The best part of this prescription is that it comes with a lifetime guarantee of no dangerous side effects even when taken in heavy doses!

Faith for healing and health comes from our giving due diligence to the reading, meditating, and obeying the Word of God. Besides attending to the Word of God, we are also responsible for taking care of our physical bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19 clearly states that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, as such we are accountable and responsible to take proper care of our bodies. While one can believe God for healing from sicknesses and disease, one cannot expect God for His gift of health if we abuse our physical body. While Psalm 103:3 and Exodus 23:25-26 clearly promise that we can be healed of all diseases as well as live free of its oppression, nowhere does the Bible promise us that we can be reckless and irresponsible with our bodies and expect to stay healthy.

For example, it would be presumptuous for a Christian to go without sleep for days, while all the time believing God to remain in perfect health. The Word of God does not promise that we will not tire physically but He does promise to give His beloved rest. When we take good care of our bodies, we can expect the blessing of God-given health. But if we abuse our bodies then we must bear the consequences.

Faith is the determining factor in whether or not we receive the promises of God given in His Word. We must understand that healing and health are promised to all believers. But in order to live in good health, we must not only “attend to the Word of God,” but also take good care of our physical bodies.

Rev Justin Leong is the Senior Pastor of Rivers of Life Church, Singapore. After twelve years of marriage, he and his wife, Lydia, are blessed with two “miracle” sons Eldad and Medad. Justin committed himself to full time ministry 23 years ago.