Bible Study Guides – Heaven’s Approved Healing

January 13, 2013 – January 19, 2013

Key Text

“If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26.

Study Help: Counsels on Health, 49–51, 206, 207; Counsels on Diet and Foods, 32–40.

Introduction

“There are many ways of practicing the healing art, but there is only one way that Heaven approves. God’s remedies are the simple agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 443.

“You need clear, energetic minds, in order to appreciate the exalted character of the truth, to value the atonement, and to place the right estimate upon eternal things. If you pursue a wrong course, and indulge in wrong habits of eating, and thereby weaken the intellectual powers, you will not place that high estimate upon salvation and eternal life which will inspire you to conform your life to the life of Christ; you will not make those earnest, self-sacrificing efforts for entire conformity to the will of God, which His word requires and which are necessary to give you a moral fitness for the finishing touch of immortality.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 47.

“Even if you are strict in the quality of your food, do you glorify God in your bodies and spirits which are His, by partaking of such a quantity of food? Those who place so much food upon the stomach, and thus load down nature, could not appreciate the truth should they hear it dwelt upon. They could not arouse the benumbed sensibilities of the brain to realize the value of the atonement, and the great sacrifice that has been made for fallen man. It is impossible for such to appreciate the great, the precious, and the exceedingly rich reward that is in reserve for the faithful overcomers. The animal part of our nature should never be left to govern the moral and intellectual.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 364.

1 SICKNESS AND SORROW ABOUND

  • Why is there so much sickness and sorrow around us? Galatians 6:7; Deuteronomy 28:15, 21, 22, 60, 61.

Note: “It is a great thing to ensure health by placing ourselves in right relations to the laws of life, and many have not done this. A large share of the sickness and suffering among us is the result of the transgression of physical law, is brought upon individuals by their own wrong habits.” Counsels on Health, 49.

  • Why is there sickness also among God’s professed people? Proverbs 3:7, 8; 4:20–22.

Note: “Satan, the author of disease and misery, will approach God’s people where he can have the greatest success. He has controlled the appetite in a great measure from the time of his successful experiment with Eve, in leading her to eat the forbidden fruit. He came with his temptations first to the mixed multitude, the believing Egyptians, and stirred them up to seditious murmurings. They would not be content with the healthful food which God had provided for them. Their depraved appetites craved a greater variety, especially flesh meats.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, 15.

  • What can we do about this problem? I Corinthians 6:19, 20; Romans 12:1, 2.

Note: “In regard to that which we can do for ourselves, there is a point that requires careful, thoughtful consideration. I must become acquainted with myself. I must be a learner always as to how to take care of this building, the body God has given me, that I may preserve it in the very best condition of health. I must eat those things which will be for my very best good physically, and I must take special care to have my clothing such as will conduce to a healthful circulation of the blood. I must not deprive myself of exercise and air. I must get all the sunlight that it is possible for me to obtain. I must have wisdom to be a faithful guardian of my body.” Child Guidance, 366, 367.

2 HEALING ARTS

  • What do most people do when they are sick? Matthew 9:12; Luke 8:43. How do many fall into Satan’s trap?

Note: “Satanic agents claim to cure disease. They attribute their power to electricity, magnetism, or the so-called ‘sympathetic remedies,’ while in truth they are but channels for Satan’s electric currents. By this means he casts his spell over the bodies and souls of men.” The Signs of the Times, March 24, 1887.

  • What warning should we take to heart regarding Satan’s methods of healing? Proverbs 16:25; Ezekiel 44:23.

Note: “It should ever be kept prominent that the great object to be attained through [the Battle Creek Health Institute] is not only health, but perfection, and the spirit of holiness, which cannot be attained with diseased bodies and minds. This object cannot be secured by working merely from the worldling’s standpoint.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 554.

  • Besides the health of the body, what else does God seek to restore through His healing methods? Psalm 103:1–3; Mark 6:13; Philippians 2:5.

Note: “The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have the power to cure the diseased. They attribute their power to electricity, magnetism, the so-called ‘sympathetic remedies,’ or to latent forces within the mind of man. And there are not a few, even in this Christian age, who go to these healers, instead of trusting in the power of the living God and the skill of well-qualified Christian physicians.” Evangelism, 606.

  • What is the basic difference between God’s method and Satan’s method?

Note: “Christ’s remedies cleanse the system. But Satan has tempted man to introduce into the system that which weakens the human machinery, clogging and destroying the fine, beautiful arrangements of God.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 289.

3 HEAVEN’S PLAN

  • What are God’s methods of healing? Psalm 67:2. How are these methods intended to be a blessing?

Note: “God’s remedies are the simple agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date because their skillful use requires work that the people do not appreciate. Fresh air, exercise, pure water, and clean, sweet premises are within the reach of all with but little expense; but drugs are expensive, both in the outlay of means and in the effect produced upon the system.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 443.

  • What is God’s commission to us in regards to helping our society? Matthew 10:8.

Note: “Some will be attracted by one phase of the gospel, and some by another. We are instructed by our Lord to work in such a way that all classes will be reached. The message must go to the whole world. Our sanitariums are to help to make up the number of God’s people. We are not to establish a few mammoth institutions; for thus it would be impossible to give the patients the messages that will bring health to the soul. Small sanitariums are to be established in many places.” Medical Ministry, 327.

  • How can we accomplish God’s work with the best results? John 12:36; Matthew 5:16.

Note: “To locate our sanitariums amidst the scenes of nature would be to follow God’s plan, and the more closely this plan is followed, the more wonderfully will He work to restore suffering humanity.” Counsels on Health, 266.

“Christ’s workers are to obey His instructions implicitly. The work is God’s, and if we would bless others His plans must be followed. Self cannot be made a center; self can receive no honor. If we plan according to our own ideas, the Lord will leave us to our own mistakes.” The Desire of Ages, 369.

4 WHAT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHIN

  • As we follow God’s instruction for our health, how will we be benefited individually? III John 2; I Thessalonians 5:23; Psalm 63:5.

Note: “God has bountifully provided for the sustenance and happiness of all His creatures; if His laws were never violated, if all acted in harmony with the divine will, health, peace, and happiness, instead of misery and continual evil, would be the result.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 20.

  • How does temperance in diet affect not only our physical health but also our mind? Proverbs 16:32. What warning should we take to heart? Proverbs 23:1–3, 20, 21.

Note: “It cannot be too often repeated that whatever is taken into the stomach affects not only the body, but ultimately the mind as well. Gross and stimulating food fevers the blood, excites the nervous system, and too often dulls the moral perceptions, so that reason and conscience are overborne by the sensual impulses. It is difficult, and often well-nigh impossible, for one who is intemperate in diet to exercise patience and self-control.” Child Guidance, 461.

“But if the human agent shall cooperate with divine agency, his physical and mental development will become higher and better. His mind will enlarge, and he will grow in power to do good.” The Signs of the Times, April 16, 1896.

  • What is the great purpose in God’s working for our physical and mental well-being? Proverbs 3:1–4; Isaiah 40:31.

Note: “As we study questions of truth and duty, we find that hardy, courageous workmen are needed in the Master’s service. God needs as laborers men and women who have good physical powers; clear, active minds; and decided moral principles, that cannot be shaken by temptation, nor put aside because of difficulties. There is need of persons who have a symmetrical training of all their mental, moral, and physical powers. Practical men and women are wanted—those who will teach the religion of Christ, and exemplify it in their daily life and work.” The Review and Herald, October 11, 1898.

5 WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT

  • How will others be benefited through our example if we follow God’s plan individually? I Timothy 4:11–16.

Note: “In the world all kinds of provisions have been made for the relief of suffering humanity, but the truth in its simplicity is to be brought to the suffering ones through the agency of men and women who are loyal to the commandments of God.” The Kress Collection, 13.

“I [Ellen White] am instructed to say to health reform educators: Go forward. The world needs every jot of the influence you can exert to press back the tide of moral woe. Let those who teach the third angel’s message stand true to their colors. [Romans 12:1, 2 quoted.] May the Lord arm those who labor in word and doctrine, with the clearest messages of truth. If His workers will give these messages with simplicity, assurance, and all authority, the Lord will work with them. …

“Let them take the living principle of health reform into the communities that to a large degree are ignorant of these principles.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 113, 118.

“The Saviour in His miracles revealed the power that is continually at work in man’s behalf, to sustain and to heal him. Through the agencies of nature, God is working, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment, to keep us alive, to build up and restore us. When any part of the body sustains injury, a healing process is at once begun; nature’s agencies are set at work to restore soundness. But the power working through these agencies is the power of God. All life-giving power is from Him. When one recovers from disease, it is God who restores him.” The Ministry of Healing, 112, 113.

  • For what future event will health reform help us get the needed preparation? Psalm 91:1–10.

Note: “While the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.” Maranatha, 170.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What can individually be done to limit sickness?

2 Are all methods of healing from God?

3 What tests can we apply to a method to know its fruit?

4 What does God want to accomplish by physically healing people?

5 How will God’s health principles help during the time of the last plagues?

Customs and Disease

“Our ancestors have bequeathed to us customs and appetites which are filling the world with disease. The sins of the parents, through perverted appetite, are with fearful power visited upon the children to the third and fourth generations.” Counsels on Health, 49.

Self-Indulgence and Disease

“Many persons bring disease upon themselves by their self-indulgence. They have not lived in accordance with natural law or the principles of strict purity. Others have disregarded the laws of health in their habits of eating and drinking, dressing, or working. Often some form of vice is the cause of feebleness of mind or body. Should these persons gain the blessing of health, many of them would continue to pursue the same course of heedless transgression of God’s natural and spiritual laws, reasoning that if God heals them in answer to prayer, they are at liberty to continue their unhealthful practices and to indulge perverted appetite without restraint. If God were to work a miracle in restoring these persons to health, He would be encouraging sin.” The Ministry of Healing, 227.

Satan and Disease

“Christ’s remedies cleanse the system. But Satan has tempted man to introduce into the system that which weakens the human machinery, clogging and destroying the fine, beautiful arrangements of God.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 289.

© 2007 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.