The Laws of Health

Obedience to moral laws (the ten commandments) will make sense to most of us. Lying, stealing, murder are not God's way and we recognize such things as evil and undesirable. Habits we have formed may interfere wih our obedience to these laws, but we may recognize, with God's help, they can be overcome.

Yet, there is another set of laws God would have us obey too. These are natural laws, or health laws. These govern how well our body and mind function. Though sin and evil have done much damage to the bodies and minds of humans, how we treat our bodies is a responsibility given to us by God. We are accountable for the choices we make in life, if we are aware of these choices, or if we choose to be ignorant of better choices.

Why is it important God's children obey health laws? Will disregard of these natural laws effect our relationship with God? Yes. There are several texts in the Bible that indicate this. 1 Corinthians 3:16,17; 6:19,20; and 10:31 are good examples of this. Whatever we eat or drink or whatever we do, we are to do to the glory of God. How does our body health enter into this directly? Our bodies are described as the temple for the presence of the Holy Spirit. If we want God to direct our lives, we need Him to have full access to our minds. Through careful Bible study, we will class gluttony and addictions right along with lying, stealing and murder. God wants to forgive us for our past sins, but He also wants us to repent, turn around, and forsake our sinning. This takes time, but our physical habits can help or hinder our progress.

Physical habits have a direct influence on mental stability and moral fiber. The mind and body are intimately tied up with each other. There is a slow suicide involved with the willing neglect of obedience to health laws.

What are these natural laws? They are found in everything God has so graciously supplied on this earth for our benefit--air, sunshine, water, food, exercise, moderation or temperance, rest, and trust in divine power. Proper use of these gifts from God will supply us with the best mental and physical health we can obtain in this present world. The best spirutal health can only be realized if one is endeavoring to attain and maintain their physical and mental health.

Thus, we have two sets of laws that our Creator has given to us for our good. And, we have a Saviour who will give us divine power (2 Peter 1:3,4) to keep both of these. Any struggles we have in our efforts to keep God's laws are caused by our fallen human nature. But God has promised us victory through the shed blood of His Son.

The physical and moral laws of God have depth. The moral law reaches down to our thoughts and motives. We cannot be Christians by a surface work. The fruits that appear in the life must be nutritious. Produce must be well fertilized. The soil it grows in must have all the minerals and elements needed to grow food that will nourish to the utmost degree. Thus, with spiritual fruit--what we receive through roots of the plant will determine the quality of fruit and even the quantity. The quality of works depends on our connection with divine power. We cannot grow into mature Christians without a vital connection with our Source of spiritual nutrition.

HEALTH LAW NO. 1 -- The natural laws of health also have their depth. The quality of water we drink and the applications for cleansing and for hydrotherapy purposes in sickness are not always thought of or used properly.

HEALTH LAW NO. 2 -- The food and drink we partake of may nourish or poison us, depending on what it consists of, when and how it is eaten. Books like "Old MacDonald's Factory Farm," "Food For A Small Planet," and organic gardening books have made us increasingly aware of what we eat. Many of us have become vegetarians. This, after all, was the diet God gave to Adam and Eve in the beginning and doubtless will be our food in eternity.

HEALTH LAW NO. 3 -- Physical fitness has become an issue in the last few decades. Many of us recognize regular aerobic exercise is essential for the best of health.

HEALTH LAW NO. 4 -- The problems of ozone and smog have made us more aware of the quality of air we breathe. Exercise and deep breathing of the freshest air we can be in, will make a difference. And, we know how detrimental smoking is to our delicate air passages, as well as to the rest of the body.

HEALTH LAW NO. 5 -- Proper rest can make a difference in the way we feel. This would include relaxation and the kind of recreation that is really re-creation--a change of pace or a different setting, a wholesome hobby. These all would enter into proper rest. The preoccupation with fiction, unnatural and exciting games does more harm than good for the nerves and brain. And, of course, what we behold we are influenced by. Real re-creation would be more like family picnics, hikes, gardening, family worship, reading to one another, arts and craft projects.

HEALTH LAW NO. 6 -- The good, old sunshine comes along with the fresh air and exercise. One can take in the sun without overdoing it. If you plan to spend much time in direct sunlight, wear clothing to protect the skin, and large brimmed hats.

HEALTH LAW NO. 7 -- Temperance in use of sunlight and in all the rest of the laws of health is vital. In fact, it is considered to be one of these laws. This would include total abstainence of that which is harmful and moderation in all things that are basically good for us.

How do we accomplish all this? Some of us have a time with getting enough of the right kind of exercise. Or, we have eating habits that lay the foundation for serious illness--overeating, too many sweets, greasy food, etc. Perhaps we smoke or drink alcoholic beverages. There are many poisons in this world, and we aren't aware of everything that may be harmful to our bodies and minds. Yet, we want to be rid of as many of these as possible. We want to obey our Creator and Redeemer. We want to find the true happiness and future life He promises to us.

HEALTH LAW NO. 8 -- This is where the eighth natural law comes in. This goes right along with the Moral Law God has promised to write in our hearts and minds. This health law is "trust in divine power." It is really the center of the rest of God's laws. Our trust in His power is based on our trust in the fact He loves us with an "everlasting love."

We should come to the place where we no longer doubt, even for a moment, that our Creator and Redeemer want what is for our ultimate, everlasting happiness. and, we will come to this place if we seek for His divine power to help us keep both His moral and health laws. Just as God's moral laws will be written in our hearts and minds, His physical law will be written on every fiber and cell of our bodies. Though,until Jesus returns, we won't have perfect bodies, we can gain perfect characters. We can be filled with His Spirit and walk in His steps.

Paul speaking of the athletes of his time said, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Our goal is much higher than these athletes. Thus, our efforts to obey all of God's laws should be much greater than theirs. We have God's promises to back us up and we have His "divine power" (2 Peter 1:3,4 NKJV) to aid our efforts.

So, our main work is to "choose" the best He has for us. We have the power of choice every day of our lives. Plus, we have the promise of His forgiveness if we do falter or fall. Then we must get up again, take firmer hold of our Saviour's hand, and march on to victory.

Copyright 2000, Kathryn D. Search