Biblical Wisdom for Better Health

Spiritual health is perhaps given the most importance in the Bible, being essential to all other areas of health. Passages such as Psalm 24:1 tell us that God is the center of all things: including our health. We only need to look at the story of Job, or read about how the disciples died, in order to know that the above verse doesn’t mean that Christians are immune from illness. Rather, those who rely on God are given the strength to endure the hardships they are bound to face as a result of sin – whether from our own direct actions, or from the unfortunate effect of living in a sinful world (Psalm 44:22). Through prayer, we are given the chance to receive respite from the struggles of the world, as God promises to be near and strengthen us as we reach out to Him.

The closer we are to God, and the more we speak to Him, the more we’re able to receive His blessings, and understand when situations don’t pan out the way we hoped. As stated by Ellen White, who also was no stranger to the qualms of disease: …never does our merciful God turn from the soul that in sincerity seeks Him for help. He is our refuge in sickness as in health’¹.

In Biblical times, not much was known about the effects of cleanliness on sickness. In fact, it wasn’t until the mid 1800s, around White’s time, that being hygienic was even considered important at all. However, the Bible makes clear its importance, as seen in passages such as John 13:10, and Deuteronomy 23:12-14, where being clean is likened even to being free from sin. Ellen White supported this notion with her words “The Lord requires no less of his people now than he did anciently…Sickness does not come without a cause” (Adventist.org (n.d) How Ellen White Applied Biblical Principles to Health & Wellbeing)³.

The importance of exercise and the outdoors in terms of health cannot be overstated. The Bible, as our primary resource, is clear that maintaining our physical fitness is important to our overall health – as of course, God instructs us to use the abilities He’s given us in order to help maintain ourselves (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13). Spending time outdoors is also considered highly valuable in the Bible, although its health benefits aren’t given too much mention – likely because the people of the time were much more active than they are now. Nevertheless, we’re frequently told of the reflection of God’s character in nature: demonstrating how time outside not only encourages us to be physically well, but also increases our mental health as we become reassured in God’s power and love for the world (Job 12:7-10). This was reaffirmed by White, who further emphasised the importance of exercise and time in nature on well-being, as: ‘The things of nature are God's blessings, provided to give health to body, mind, and soul…’ (White, Ellen. Reflecting Christ, p. 147.) ⁵. and ‘Exercise is indispensable to the health of every organ’ (White, Ellen. Reflecting Christ, p. 145)⁶. As we know well today, maintaining our health through exercise is essential to our physical and mental health, promoting longevity, improving state of mind, and overall increasing general fitness⁷. Being outdoors is an added benefit to each of these things, both encouraging higher levels of activity, allowing for absorption of essential natural vitamins and minerals, and being a key factor in mental health levels⁸.

Making wise decisions and having a strong sense of morality is an important (and sometimes overlooked) area of health. We each are gifted with free will (Deuteronomy 30:19), and we have the opportunity to choose to make healthy decisions or to guide ourselves down a path of recklessness in regard to our mental and bodily states. An important factor is following our conscience and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which direct us in what actions are good, and what actions are not (Galatians 5:16). Being surrounded by good people who also lead healthy lifestyles also helps assist us in this way (Proverbs 13:20). As White states, we should “dispense entirely with everything hurtful, and to use judiciously that which is healthful” (White, Ellen G., Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 562)⁹. Similarly, we are told through science that our personal choices greatly affect our sense of health, where most actions depend on our pursuit of them to be effectively completed¹⁰. Think about it: how likely are we to exercise, or eat a healthy diet if we don’t choose to do so? How much easier is it to be healthy when everyone around us does the same?

What we eat is one of the most essential elements to our health. Rather than follow our desires for high sugar or fat intakes, it’s important that we retain a balanced diet. White was gifted a lot of information about health, with Biblical knowledge being explained in a modern era. Her understanding of health included a focus on a plant-based diet, limited sugar intake, and avoidance of drugs of any kind¹¹. Many of these claims of the time are actually backed by science today, where largely plant-based diets are supported by general dietary requirements, limiting added sugar intakes is one of the most common dietary facts, and where minimal drug consumption is highly essential to a healthy body and healthy lifestyle¹². These were ideas already acknowledged in the Bible, over 2000 years ago, as God made similar guidelines clear in Proverbs 23:20-21, Proverbs 25:16, Deuteronomy 14 and Genesis 1:29-30 to the Israelites. It appears some facts don’t change – they just get more solidified as we gain understanding in how they work.

Mental health is receiving increasing awareness today, as we live in an era where it’s not just our bodies that are recognised as capable of being ill – rather, it’s our minds that have a significant role to play in our overall health. While the Bible doesn’t offer one overall piece of advice towards mental illness, highlighting the complex nature of the subject, we know that it wasn’t a foreign concept in Biblical times. After all, the Israelites experienced severe traumatic events throughout the Old Testament, and many of the Christians in the New Testament faced similarly terrifying times. Throughout the Bible though, we are reminded of the power of love - specifically, God’s love for us, and our ability to love others (Matthew 22:36-40). Ellen White herself dealt with mental illness, and encouraged practitioners and friends alike to exhibit God’s gift of love – treating patients and friends with kindness and sympathy. She elaborates on the importance of building a relationship of trust with others, being honest, and kind, before assisting them in the best way we know how – by pointing them to Jesus – the One who is constantly there for them¹³.

Putting it all together, we see that each of these elements of health doesn't exist by itself. Rather, as the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, each part of the body is essential, and as one part is affected, so are the others. Our bodily, mental and spiritual health are similarly intertwined – with each factor affecting another. While the ties aren’t entirely understood by much of science, the effects are well-documented as being innately interconnected¹⁶. White had a lot to say about this, stating that: ​​

When studying health of any kind, it’s important that we remember a golden rule: even have good things should often be used in moderation. Rather than being swept away by the latest health trend, forgoing other areas of health for the sake of one, or becoming extremist in our views, it’s essential to look at each area critically and practically. This applies to all areas of our lives – whether a new exercise regime, a diet, a mental health plan or even the study of others’ views on issues such as religion. In fact, in the Bible itself it warns us from becoming obsessive over one point of view or idea, as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 1 Corinthians 6:12, or, my personal favourite, Proverbs 25:16 as it states:

This metaphor references more than just honey – even things that can be sweet and good for us to do can turn negative if we obsess over them.

With this in mind, we know that we can receive as much health advice as we want. Whether from science, Ellen White, or good old Google, there is no shortage of to and not to’s – and while many health ideations have value in some way, it’s most important to remember the verse above – that even good things can become bad if taken too extreme. This includes even White herself, who stated that common sense is one of the most necessary elements to maintaining health, and that we shouldn’t judge others on their health journey.¹⁸

¹White, Ellen. The Ministry of Healing, Chapter 16. retrieved: 27th February, 2025