Is going to the doctor or taking medicine a lack of faith?

Hey

I having been praying about some things that were shared on another thread. Some have shared their heart that they feel convicted not to go to the doctor or take medicines. I was wondering about this and praying about it. Does the Bible support the idea that it is sin or lack of faith to seek medical attention? If a christian goes to the doctor does this mean they are lacking in faith or that they are not trusting in God? Would this be in all medical situations, child birth? Cancer? Is there scripture to support this? If so would it then be wrong for a christian to become a medical doctor or nurse? Or a pharmacists? What about going to the dentist for check ups would this apply also? Please know I am not trying to call into question anyone's convictions, I really do want to understand what has brought some to this point in their walk, and what they are seeing. I will share that at this point in my walk I am not seeing going to the doctor or taking medicine as a lack of faith, but I do want to be open to what God is saying on this matter...

your little sis in Him
Elizabeth

No the Bible does not support it is sin to see a doctor. Luke was the beloved physician not an evil, sinful heretic ( Col. 4:14 ). Paul exhorted Timothy to drink some wine for his stomach's sake and frequent infirmities, cutting edge medicine at the time ( 1 Tim. 5:23 ). I believe God has given us doctors and you can still use your faith in God to heal you through them. It's not guaranteed just because you go to the doctor you will be cured, even with all of our medicine. My hope is not in medical technology or doctor skill, but in God working through them.

I would say pray first and be open to hear when to go to the doctor from the Lord should the healing tarry and situation become serious. But don't reach for the tylenol with every headache or rush to the E.R. for every weird pain. Pray.

I am reminded of the man drowning who prayed for God to save him. Three boats came by and the man refused them all waiting for divine deliverance. The man dies, goes to heaven, and asks God why He did not save him. God replies, "I sent three boats, what more did you want." I think that applies in discerning measure with healing. He has given us medical advancements that have the potential to heal us with God's blessing.

I believe the opposite extreme is just as dangerous for Christians. Being so spiritually stubborn/proud almost not to humble themselves to dip in the Jordan seven times by going to see a doctor. If this is your condition, God knows, and won't release healing. He'd be more interested in healing your deformed character and reforming His Son's in you.

Please meditate on this passage. I believe it applies to your question.

1Ti 4:1-7 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

[b]For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer[/b]. If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

No, it doesn't.

Paul instructed Timothy to drink wine for his stomach.

Miracles are, by definition, rare. Jesus could have walked on water, but He usually took a boat.

With care in Christ...

I grew up among people who believed very firmly in trusting God for health as well as for healing. A few preached against going to doctors in a very legalistic sense (as though it was a law that if not kept was sin). Most believed in trusting God out of a genuine heart that longed to put faith in Him for everything, including health and healing.

I do believe that it would be best for us to learn to walk in faith even in this area, but there is no scriptural support for condemning doctors or saying we should not go to them.

I hear someone say this and though it was interesting. God's best would be for us to believe Him for healing and health, but doctors sure do a good job of keeping us alive while our faith matures.

Don't feel condemned to go to a doctor, take medicine, etc. But, start exercising your faith in small things. Begin to believe God for healing from headaches, etc. Make sure you are not acting out of condemnation or out of fear that God will smite you if you go to a doctor. That is not from God. I want to trust God with everything. He is faithful, but the development of my own faith is also necessary.

By the way, God has specifically called many Christians to the field of medicine, and in doing this work they are fulfilling His calling on their lives and touching many many people with the message of the gospel.

Elizabeth,

I read all the posts on this thread and I agree with all of them.

I am not one who will go to a doctor very quickly. I will try everything I know to treat myself before heading in that direction. In doing so, I am healthy, I think. I am also getting to the age where I am reconsidering seriously the value of prolonging life just for its own sake, which is really a completely different issue.

We have used doctors in the past and appreciate their expertise. But we also pray much for our physical ailments and the LORD has been faithful.

God bless..

ginnyrose

Thanks everyone for your replies. I actually had not really thought about this to much before reading the other thread. I have been using allergy medicines and asthma medicine for most of my life and never thought about praying about it before now. I was on these medicines before I was saved and just continued using them after wards. I have really bad allergies as well as asthma(runs in my family). I am going to be praying about this but it really does help knowing that I am not sinning against God by using my inhaler to help me breath. As I said on the other thread there have been times when I have been sick and just prayed and God has healed me, but there has also been times when after waiting several days I have felt a strong leading to go to the doctor. I always have felt this was the Lord answering my prayers.

Thanks again for sharing on this
your little sis in Him
Elizabeth

Is going to the doctor or taking medicine a lack of faith?

"NO"

[b]The man dies, goes to heaven . . .[/b]

Dear wind_blows,

Do not focus on the sin. Focus on the Lord. Ask Him heal you of all of the things that He sees to be wrong with you. Ask Him to show you what it is that you need to adjust.

He has taken away all of my aches and pains. One of the first things that He did with me was to give me an incredible craving for broccoli. Then He led me to find organic apples, which I also consumed in large quantities. I had forgotten what a real apple tasted like. Next He took me off of meat, then dairy, then sugar, then caffeine - this all on the heals of getting me off of alcohol and nicotine. I do not know what was wrong with me, but from the adjustments I assume it was something nasty. I am [b][u]NOT[/u][/b] saying that you need to do these things. Only He knows what you need to adjust.

Next time you need to use your inhaler, pause and ask Him "Lord, what is it that you would have me to do?" "Lord, shut the door on this if it is not what you want and put before me that which you would have me to do." He is faithful, but you must believe. I don't know how many times I prayed and said "Lord I believe, please forgive Thou mine unbelief!" No matter what happened, no matter how confused I became, I would just keep turning back to HIM. Others will mock you and scorn you - but [u]He[/u] will never forsake you - if you will but only believe.

Trust God to do as He wills through His regular appointed means.

Food and prayer for hunger. Exercise and prayer for weak muscles. Study and prayer for knowledge and understanding. Medicines/nutrition and prayer for sickness.

wind_blows wrote:
Hey

...Does the Bible support the idea that it is sin or lack of faith to seek medical attention? If a christian goes to the doctor does this mean they are lacking in faith or that they are not trusting in God? Would this be in all medical situations, child birth? Cancer? Is there scripture to support this? If so would it then be wrong for a christian to become a medical doctor or nurse? Or a pharmacists? What about going to the dentist for check ups would this apply also? Please know I am not trying to call into question anyone's convictions, I really do want to understand what has brought some to this point in their walk, and what they are seeing. I will share that at this point in my walk I am not seeing going to the doctor or taking medicine as a lack of faith, but I do want to be open to what God is saying on this matter...

your little sis in Him
Elizabeth

Wisdom is if you don't get healed, you better go to a doctor!

When you are hungry, do you sit around waiting for God to put food in your stomach, claiming God as your provider and healer? No, you get something to eat. If we do this for food, then why would we not do it for the rest of our health?

When you are hungry, do you sit around waiting for God to put food in your stomach, claiming God as your provider and healer? No, you get something to eat. If we do this for food, then why would we not do it for the rest of our health?

The Lord would not have us to eat something with poison in it so that we would be nourished or healed. His remedy will be pure. But only He knows what that is - that is why we must ask - wait upon Him - pray. He is our Great Protector and Provider. He will keep us just as He has promised - IF we believe - IF we choose HIM.

"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." Matthew 9:12

In other words, it is the sick who need a doctor.

I like what Taylor said: "[i]Jesus could have walked on water, but He usually took a boat[/i]."

This could be expanded.

Paul and the rest of the apostles could have been translated during their travels (like Phillip after baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch), but most of the time...they walked.

The Lord could easily provide for our needs by allowing manna to fall from the sky just outside of our homes; but, most of the time, God provides a job that brings an income that we use to purchase our food.

God could easily fill our closets with clothing. However, most of the time, He provides most of us with a job that provides the income in which He clothes our families.

God could have easily and immediately annihilated all of the world without sending a flood; however, He still chose to use the ark to save Noah, his family and a select amount of animals.

I certainly believe that God still heals the sick. I also believe that we should pray for the sick and pray for ourselves when we are sick.

God could easily cause the Gospel message to suddenly and clearly appear in every medium (television, internet, books, newspapers, etc...), but He still uses us to present the Good News to this fallen world.

This isn't meant to sound facetious. I pray that God makes us whole before or after an illness. While our hearts and minds are located in Heaven, our earthly temples are still located within the confines of this fallen world. Just like the original Temple of Solomon had to be kept up (and even repaired in II Kings 12:1-8...and reinforced...using the wood from the almug trees brought by the Queen of Sheba in I Kings 10:12), we should do what we can to keep our own earthly temples running properly. This is not a lack of faith, but being a good steward of the things that God has given us.

I like what Taylor said: "Jesus could have walked on water, but He usually took a boat."

The Lord has had people give me free food. He has had people give me free clothing. It has been the perfect thing at just the right time - often it is ahead of time. He continually comes forth with a treasure here, and a treasure there. He is perfectly capable of taking care of us - both in heaven, and on earth.

It is in Him that I put my trust. Not myself.

Hi HeartSong...

The Lord has had people give me free food. He has had people give me free clothing. It has been the perfect thing at just the right time - often it is ahead of time. He continually comes forth with a treasure here, and a treasure there.

Greeting heartsong

I appreciate your heart on this and I know that many of us can share the same experiences in the Lords provision in just the right moment even when there was need for monies to go to the doctor to care for a sick child. Many occasions the Lord provided just the amount needed to cover doctor visits and medicines and I rejoiced and thanked Him for His care and cover for my family. I think it awesome that you hardly ever sick, I agree with you that you should stand on your conviction if led to not go to doctors then do not go. My issue here is that you are writing and sharing in such a way on this thread and even on a few others that if a believer does chose to go to the doctor he/she is some how lacking in faith or trust in the Lord. This is simply just not true. yes there are those who are fearful and hypochondriacs that run to the doctor for every little thing and never even seek the Lord but they are few. Most Christians I know prayerful consider what is best for their families and seek the Lord in walking that out. My choosing to take my son to the doctor when he was sick is just as much walking with the Lord and trusting Him as you choosing not to go. Please think about how your posts are coming across, you do not want to heap condemnation on anyone because they are not holding to this same conviction that you feel the Lord has for you?

God Bless you
mj

Is there an eleventh commandment that says: "Thou shalt have no other doctors before me."?

If not, then stop preaching this.

KrispyKrittr wrote:

...am related to a few of them.

NC motto.

"Come live in North Carolina, where ALL are family." :-) :-P

Love ya bro!

Dear MaryJane,

The only thing that I am preaching is Jesus Christ.

Jesus saves.

Greeting heartsong

You wrote:Dear MaryJane,

The only thing that I am preaching is Jesus Christ.

Jesus saves.

___

By all means sister preach Jesus, no one here has a problem with that and yes Jesus does save. However Jesus did not say "Do not go to the doctor." People who go to the doctor are not less trusting or have less faith in the Lord then you do sister. Please prayerfully consider how you are coming off to others? No where in the Bible does it say that if a believer goes to the doctor they are in danger of loosing their salvation, nor does it say they are guilty of having a lack of faith. This is your conviction from the Lord so continue to walk in it but don't hold others to a standard that the Bible does not hold them to. I will be praying for you.

God Bless
mj

thanks for asking those questions because I was wondering the same thing:)

I like your response ccchhhrrriiisss.

Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Everyone must decide in his own heart according to his own faith. These are matters that you can't tell someone else what they must do. Each person's faith walk is between themselves and God. We are not to tell other people whether they can go to a doctor or not, but if one has faith to go or not to go, it is between him/her and God.

Blessings to all!

Hey Heart song:-)

In your post you wrote "Do not focus on the sin. Focus on the Lord. Ask Him heal you of all of the things that He sees to be wrong with you. Ask Him to show you what it is that you need to adjust."

--
Not sure what you meant by this. What sin are you referring to exactly? Is it your understanding that my asthma is the result of some sin that I have not repented of? I do pray daily asking the Lord to reveal to me anything in my heart that might not be of Him so that I might repent of it. I can honestly say that I have not felt any conviction over using my inhaler in the past.

I understand that your not trying to tell me that I have do what you did in eating certain foods but I am confused because you also say things like this, "Others will mock you and scorn you - but He will never forsake you - if you will but only believe."
--
What do you mean exactly when you say "if you will believe?" I do believe God can heal me if He chooses to. I have always trusted that He has provided for me with my health and stuff.

your little sis in Him
elizabeth

but I do want to be open to what God is saying on this matter...

Elizabeth, as I read this thread many have answered this question from the angle of whether seeing a physician demonstrates a lack of faith. Most have said "No!" and I agree. However, I would like to take this issue into another direction.

I am very serious about making it a matter of prayer when we get sick. Many trips to the doctor have been averted by trusting the LORD for his guidance in these matters. But we still will go to a doctor when it seems this is what the LORD would have us do. But there are other issues appearing that one needs to consider, I think.

Most physicians are in that vocation to make money, they regard it as a business. (Our church overseer is a physician who told us many people in medicine are in it for the money.) If you are in medicine to make money they will promote services to try to separate you from your money. Unnecessary, and too expensive and elaborate tests will be ordered to 'diagnose' your problem. Allow me to illustrate.

Back in 1964 I went to a local doctor because I had a painful lump on my jaw. He felt it, moved it around and told me it needs to be removed. He ordered me to go to the surgery room and then he proceeded to remove it, using only a local anesthetic. When he was done, he bandaged it up and told me I can go home. This all may have taken an hour, I don't remember, but this procedure set dad back only $35.00. Dr. Morris never took the first test before proceeding with this surgery: no blood work, no x-ray, no nothing! And I recovered well!

Another - my husband experienced rectal bleeding and the doctor told him he needed a colonoscopy. He made an appointment to get it done but then cancelled because he did not feel good about it. The short of the long - the place this doctor told him to go to charges twice that another place would. AND another doctor with Christian-Care-Medi-share gave him advice on what to do and he did and it healed up! Never had the procedure done and that was several years ago. Get the point?

My point is that one needs to be led by the wisdom of God to be able to discern what is hype designed to get your money and what is legitimate. This, my dear, seems to me to be the greater issue.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Hey everyone

Thanks so much for your answers. Lots of things for me to consider and wade through. Thanks Ginnyrose for your post, the needless cost of some expensive tests is something to really being seeking God on. In my walk I am learning more and more to always seek God on these kinds of issues. Even when going to the doctor it is good to pray and seek God to be sure that I am walking in His will when following the doctors advice for coarse of treatment.

Heartsong, I am sorry I did not get to hear back from you before having to leave. I was very interested in reading what you might have to share, but perhaps that was not what God wanted for me so it all works out for the best in the end:-)

your little sis in Him
Elizabeth

Remember when I told you I was employed at Target for some time?

Well, one day when I was working in the backroom, with all the metal fixings and such, a coworker was working up near the ceiling on the opposite side of where I was located.

She accidentally moved something that caused a metal fixing to fall off and hit my head. My head began to bleed pretty badly. Everybody was freaking out, and asking if I wanted to go to the hospital.

I didn't have any fear... and told them I would be okay. I went home and looked at the gash, poured hydrogen peroxide on it occasionally, and left it alone. I told God, "God, I know you can heal me if you want, and I know you can let me die as well, do whatever you want for your glory."

My brother told me I was a stupid idiot for not going to the hospital. Several other friends said I was ignorant / dumb to not get stitches.

To die is gain, so I really don't care much for hospitals. Tired of this world, wish to depart to be with the Lord.

I was very interested in reading what you might have to share, but perhaps that was not what God wanted for me . . .

Actually I was just praying and the Lord did put it upon my heart to say some things, even though I wasn't finished praying, and lo and behold, here is your post at the top of the list :-)

Much of our illnesses are the result of sin. Whether or not yours is, only the Lord knows. Bitterness can wreck havoc with a body, as can jealousy and all of the other things the Lord says that we are not to have. These maladies (bitterness, jealousy, etc.) can only be done away with by the confessing and repenting of them.

We can also sin by not being obedient with what the Lord is telling us to do - this will come forth as guilt. A person's aversion to being told that they might be sinning is a sign that this is the case. Also when we are disobedient we do things that the Lord would not have is to do. While the thing in itself might not be sin, the fact that we are not obedient is a sin. This disobedience usually leads to us doing something that is harmful to our bodies. The Lord is telling us not to do it so that we remain safe, but we do not see the sense in it - which we justify by calling it common sense - and we do it anyway.

When the Lord first started showing me this, He used a candy dish. I was not to eat any of the candy. Well, this did not make sense. I am an adult, I should be able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want. It was a terrible struggle. I ended up not eating any of the candy, but I can not tell you how many times I had my hand upon the candy dish.

These things still rise up in me whenever the Lord says "no" to something that I want. But coming to the full realization that He is just watching out for me is half the battle.

Sometimes these things are simply as test of the enemy.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12

When Satan tempts us, and we choose whatever it is that he is tempting us with, we take ourselves out from under the protection of the Lord in that thing by rebelling against what the Lord has said. We, in effect, have just become like Satan by rebelling, which means we have put our self in agreement with Satan, which means he now has permission to harm us in that area.

Many times the Lord has me do, or not do, something which I never know the reason for. Sometimes He shows me the reason after the fact - which I find to be a great blessing. It gives me great delight to know that He is always watching out for me - if I will but only trust and obey - if I will but only have faith in HIM - HE will keep me safe. Jesus saves.