top of page

Treatment or No Treatment?

Suppose a person is diagnosed with a disease that demands treatment that will cause significant sickness over a long period, whether this person is a Christian or a Non-Christian. Does The Bible offer any wisdom on determining whether to choose the Sickness route, with the hope of Healing, or rather refuse the treatments and live a perhaps shorter life without the sickness caused by the treatment process?


* My Brother asked me this question, so I am answering it with a degree of Fear and Trembling. I have no desire to imply I have any wisdom to offer, add to, or take away from the best answer I have derived from The Word of God. Please, search the Scriptures for yourself before making a personal decision.


Christians believe (I believe as a professing Born Again believer of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior) that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance. When faced with difficult decisions like choosing a treatment plan for a disease, it is vital to turn to Him for direction. However, it is also essential to consider the medical advice of experts who have studied and researched the illness.


The Bible does not offer a specific answer to whether a person should choose the sickness route with the hope of healing or refuse treatment and live a shorter life without the sickness caused by the treatment process. However, several principles can be applied when making this decision.


First, we must remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are responsible for caring for our bodies and seeking medical treatment when necessary. Refusing treatment may be seen as neglecting our bodies.


Second, we must also consider the principle of stewardship. Our time and resources are gifts from God, and we should use them wisely to glorify Him. This means that we should not waste our time and resources on treatments that are unlikely to work or that will cause unnecessary suffering.


Last, we must trust in God's sovereignty. He is in control and has a plan for our lives, even during sickness and suffering. We should seek to glorify Him in all circumstances, whether healthy or sick.


Ultimately, the decision to choose the sickness route or refuse treatment should be made in prayerful consideration of medical advice, Biblical principles, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. We can trust that God will guide us in the right direction and that His grace will sustain us through whatever challenges we face.


While the Bible doesn't provide explicit guidance on medical treatments, many Biblical principles can guide believers when making such a critical decision. These principles might include:

Sanctity of Life: The Bible speaks to the sanctity and value of human life (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13-16). This principle suggests we should take reasonable measures to preserve our life and health.

Stewardship of the Body: The Bible encourages believers to take care of their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This principle implies a responsibility to care for our health, including undergoing treatment when sick.

Faith and Prayer: The Bible encourages prayer and faith in God during times of trouble, including illness (James 5:14-15). This doesn't mean rejecting medical treatment but turning to God for guidance, comfort, and healing in conjunction with potential treatment options.

Wisdom and Counsel: Proverbs 11:14 and 15:22 highlight the importance of seeking counsel in decision-making. This suggests wisdom in gathering information, consulting with medical professionals, and seeking advice from trusted spiritual advisors when facing a treatment decision.

Suffering and Perseverance: Scriptures like Romans 5:3-4 and James 1:2-4 acknowledge that suffering can lead to character growth and hope. This can be helpful when weighing the treatment's potential discomfort or difficulty against its potential benefits.

Peace of God: Philippians 4:7 speaks of the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. This could mean that in tough decisions, the peace of God can provide a sense of calm and clarity.

Surrender to God's Will: The principle of surrendering to God's will, as Jesus exemplified in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), suggests a willingness to accept whatever outcome may come, trusting in God's ultimate plan.

2 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Kommentare


bottom of page