IS IT POSSIBLE TO COMBINE HERBAL MEDICINE AND CHRISTIANITY?

One way of the enemy attacking the saints is through their health. Your health is invaluable when working in the ministry. The enemy genuinely believes if he can take away your health, he can cause disbelief in your heart toward God. This is the attack that was on Job. He believed that Job would lose faith in God if his health and everything he had was taken away. His wife even told him to curse God and die. But how could he proclaim faith if he did such a thing?

So, if health is important, why do some Christians believe herbal products are a sin?

If you do any amount of research on herbal medicine, you will certainly come across ideas that contradict Christianity. Nature worship, witchcraft, occult practices, and other practices are sometimes so intertwined with herbalism and natural health that it is difficult to tell them apart.

Many devout Christians wonder if Christianity and herbalism can coexist. You are not alone if this describes you.

Let us dig deep to see if the Bible forbids herbalism. Is it possible for a Christian to use herbs without committing a sin? Why do people believe that practicing herbal medicine and Christianity at the same time is impossible?

Herbalism and its Origin

If you are a Christian who is new to natural remedies, you might be wondering where herbalism came from and if it is safe to use.

God warns us in Jeremiah 10:2 not to “learn the way of the heathen.”

Shamans, pagans, and other spiritual traditions have used herbs in a variety of ways, whether for healing ceremonies, religious purposes, or both healing and religious purposes.

So, knowing that, many Christians may feel that because these herbal or natural remedies have some history in paganistic rituals or worldly ceremonies, may cause Christians to shy away from these natural remedies.

Does this mean herbalism comes from heathen practices?

Many of these worldly practices give reference to Mother Earth, or a goddess worship. Many of these practices date back to early Egyptian times. As a dedicated or devout Christian, I cannot make reference to these things or practice these rituals.

If you enjoy herbal medicine and are a Christian, I have good news: you can be both an herbalist and a Christian without jeopardizing your faith or values.

Genesis 1:29 KJV

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”

Yes, Herbal Medicine Can be Used by Christians!!!

Plants are neither good nor evil, neither godly nor ungodly — they are a GIFT from our creator, given to the world to be used for the needs of us and his creatures.

In this light, herbal medicine can coexist peacefully with Christianity. There are numerous references to medicinal plants in the Bible. The three wise men presented Jesus’ parents with frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

It is perfectly reasonable to believe that the God who created these healing plants made certain that His creation understood how to use them. God himself encourages us to use plants as healing agents for our bodies in a positive and healthy way. It is reasonable to assume that the God who created these healing plants ensured that His creation understood how to use them.

Honor God and Give Him the Glory!!!

So, while pagan cultures have used herbs for thousands of years, there is no sin in using God’s own creation to promote health and wellness as a Christian believer. The challenge for Christians is to learn about herbal medicine without participating in or supporting the pagan practices that are prevalent in the herbal community.

So, as a Christian I can use herbal products without the rituals or any paganistic ceremonies.

God has blessed this planet with incredible plants that work in incredible ways within the human body. He knew sin would cause sickness even before humanity fell, and in His love, He provided helpful remedies.

When I use an herb to aid in the healing of the body, I give thanks to God. Not the plant, Mother Earth, or a natural spirit.

These remedies work because God designed them to. There are no prohibitions in the Bible against using plants for food or medicine. We are cautioned, however, to use the common sense that God has bestowed upon us. He has also sent very smart people into the world to develop laboratory-based medicines that benefit a large number of people.

Herbalism is not a one-size-fits-all pursuit. In an ideal world, plants would be our first line of defense, or offense, to keep us healthy. When that fails and we become ill, we should seek the advice of a doctor. If the problem is severe enough, we may opt for man-made medications, surgery, or other forms of “modern medicine.”

Conclusion

Christians, embrace herbal medicine. Keep your minds free and focused on God and godly things, avoid clearly pagan references and teachers, and consider the value of the information you are receiving if the teacher, book, or workshop includes pagan resources. Most importantly, in all things, use moderation, care, and common sense.

Herbs are the medicine of the people. It is perfectly acceptable for Christians to study herbal medicine.

DISCLAIMER Please see your healthcare practitioner if you have any medical queries or concerns. Peer-reviewed research and data from medical societies and government agencies are used to support the articles online. They are not, however, a replacement for expert medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.