From Healers to Heretics

From Healers to Heretics: Healing, Herbs, and the Misunderstood Arts

 

Witches, wizards, and sorcerers, as they are often portrayed in today’s popular culture, are rooted in ancient traditions that intertwined practical healing practices with spiritual beliefs. These figures were not originally the dark or threatening characters modern media sometimes depicts. Their origins lay in life-sustaining knowledge of nature and the healing arts, knowledge that was often inseparable from spiritual insight.

Thousands of years ago, in communities across Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, those skilled in herbs, leaves, and natural remedies were revered. In Egypt, for example, priests and healers combined the study of herbs with spiritual practices, believing that true healing involved more than treating the body—it required aligning the ruach (spirit, breath of life) and the nephesh (living soul) with divine will. Plants, leaves, and foods were seen not merely as medicine but as part of God’s creation, channels through which divine restoration could flow. Healing rituals often included prayers, incantations, or acts of devotion, intended to restore balance to the body and soul and ensure protection from harm.

In Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, healers and “magicians” (mageus, Greek: one skilled in sacred rites or divination) combined practical herbal remedies with ritual practices to combat disease, protect against malevolent spirits, and restore well-being. These individuals were not in opposition to God’s order; they were mediators, bridging the natural and spiritual realms. They interpreted omens, restored health, and connected their communities with the divine through careful observation of creation.

The Bible reflects God’s design for healing. Exodus 15:26 declares, “I am the Lord, who rapha (heals) you,” demonstrating that restoration—whether through prayer, hands, or plants—flows from God. Scripture does not condemn the use of herbs or foods for healing but distinguishes proper healing from manipulation of spiritual forces apart from God. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns against kashaph (sorcery), kishuf (witchcraft), ob (divination), and chereb (binding through words or actions), emphasizing that using spiritual power for personal gain or to control the natural world is prohibited. The New Testament provides further example. Acts 8:9-24 tells of Simon the Sorcerer, who attempted to purchase spiritual power. Peter’s rebuke illustrates that human beings cannot wield spiritual authority apart from God’s will.

As Christianity spread and the Church grew in influence, ancient healing practices began to be scrutinized. Herbalists, midwives, and other natural healers—especially women—were increasingly suspected of witchcraft. Men who practiced ritualistic or “magical” arts were labeled wizards or sorcerers. The once-respected role of the healer became a source of fear. The word “witch” gradually took on a darker meaning, implying powers in opposition to God’s order, while “wizard” or “sorcerer” suggested the ability to manipulate natural forces beyond healing. This distinction was reinforced through folklore, court records, and religious teachings.

The infamous Malleus Maleficarum (1487) codified this fear. Written by Dominican friars Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, it was intended as a manual for identifying and prosecuting witches. Kramer, zealous in his mission, believed witchcraft threatened both souls and the Church, while Sprenger contributed to codifying theological arguments against heresy. The book relied heavily on Scripture, particularly Deuteronomy 18, portraying witches as servants of the devil. Herbs, potions, and ritual knowledge, once tools of God’s creation for healing, were recast as instruments of malevolence The publication of this text fueled witch hunts across Europe, leading to persecution and death for countless innocent men and women. Those skilled in natural remedies were falsely accused of rebellion against God, despite acting in service to their communities.  Isn't that just like the devil to twist what God made into something evil?! 

Even as science emerged in the Renaissance and Enlightenment, suspicion lingered. Herbalism was gradually recognized as legitimate, but fear of magic and superstition persisted. The biblical principle endured: healing through rapha (restoration) was blessed, while manipulating spiritual forces (kashaph, kishuf, pharmakeia) was condemned. Galatians 5:20 names pharmakeia, the use of drugs or substances to manipulate others, as a work of the flesh, showing that intent, not just the tool, determines righteousness.

For modern practitioners of herbalism, leaves, and foods, these biblical principles remain a guide. God’s creation provides innumerable ways to restore health:

• Leaves and herbs like mint, sage, thyme, or rosemary can calm the body, improve digestion, and support immunity.

• Roots and fruits like ginger and dandelion provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that strengthen the body.

• Herbal teas, poultices, and infusions serve as practical applications of God’s provision for rapha.

• Preparation of remedies with prayer and discernment ensures alignment with God’s will.

Intent is everything. Using God’s creation to serve, heal, and restore is blessed. Using knowledge to manipulate, dominate, or control spiritual forces apart from God is condemned. This distinction mirrors the teaching of Simon the Sorcerer and the warnings in Deuteronomy 18. Healing aligns with God’s plan; sorcery and witchcraft deviate from it.

 

History shows that perception, fear, and misunderstanding shaped society’s treatment of healers. Ancient herbalists and wise men and women became the targets of suspicion as cultural, religious, and social pressures evolved. Women were particularly vulnerable; their deep knowledge of plants, midwifery, and nutrition was recast as dangerous. Men who practiced ritualistic arts were labeled wizards, sorcerers, or magicians. The conflation of healing and rebellion against God’s will created a climate of fear and persecution, culminating in the widespread European witch hunts.

Yet even today, the legacy of these healers lives on. Modern herbalism, nutrition, and natural medicine are rooted in the same observations of God’s creation that ancient healers practiced. Witches, wizards, and sorcerers in literature and film may appear fantastical, but their roots lie in human stewardship of creation, prayer, and care for others. Recognizing this restores the truth: God created the earth with plants, leaves, roots, and fruits to sustain, nourish, and restore health. Practicing herbalism in service to God is an expression of obedience and love.

The story of witches, wizards, and herbalists demonstrates the intersection of culture, religion, and divine order. From revered healers to misunderstood targets of fear, the narrative underscores the importance of discernment, intent, and alignment with God’s will. Healing, protection, and responsible use of nature are not only permissible—they are a God-given calling.

For those who practice today, like Mrs. and Mr. H., Scripture affirms your stewardship. Observing, preparing, and applying God’s creation in service of others embodies chesed (steadfast lovingkindness). Ancient herbs, leaves, and foods, paired with prayer and care, continue to bring rapha to body and spirit, just as they always have. Misunderstanding may persist, but God’s order and design remain constant.

The journey from healer to heretic, and from wise human to feared figure, spans centuries and demonstrates broader themes of power, control, and obedience to divine law. Modern readers, herbalists, and students of Scripture can learn from this history: the natural world is a gift, healing is a divine mandate, and intent determines whether knowledge is blessed or misused.

The transformation of witches, wizards, and herbalists from revered healers to feared persecuted figures illustrates the power of culture, fear, and religious misinterpretation. Yet God’s design remains unchanged: creation was made for healing, restoration, and the nurturing of life. Stewardship of herbs, leaves, foods, and natural remedies, guided by Scripture, prayer, and wisdom, aligns with God’s eternal plan. Healing is a sacred act, and those who practice it faithfully honor both creation and the Creator.

 

I hope this message blessed you. If so, please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.


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