The Role of Physicians in God's Plan

In the Bible, there isn't a long list of instructions for doctors, but the idea of healing is woven throughout, showing that healing isn't just about fixing the body. It's about restoring the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. And it’s clear from Scripture that God is the ultimate healer, though He often works through people to bring healing, whether through natural remedies or the hands of those who care for others.

In Jeremiah 8:22, the prophet asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?” This isn't just about finding a doctor; it's a call for healing. Gilead was known for a special balm, a healing ointment, and in this verse, it stands for the hope of getting better—physically and spiritually. The idea of a “physician” here is not just someone with a medical degree, but someone who helps bring healing, both in body and spirit. This shows us that healing can come in many forms, and God works through natural means, like remedies, as part of His plan to make us whole again.

Jesus is often called the “Great Physician” because He healed people in both physical and spiritual ways. In Matthew 9:12, when people were criticizing Him for spending time with sinners, He responded, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Jesus was saying, yes, physical healing matters, but more importantly, He came to heal souls. He didn't ignore physical needs—He healed the blind, the sick, the crippled—but every healing pointed to the bigger picture: the healing of the heart. This shows us that doctors and healers have an important role, but we’re reminded that the deepest healing comes from God Himself.

When we look at Colossians 4:14, Paul mentions Luke, the “beloved physician.” Luke was a doctor, but he wasn’t just focused on healing bodies. His profession didn’t keep him from serving God, and he used his medical skills to help others while spreading the message of Jesus. This shows that being a healer, whether as a doctor or someone caring for others, is part of God’s work. It’s not just about fixing what’s broken, but about serving God through caring for others.

In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul tells Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach and other health problems. This is a practical piece of advice that shows even in biblical times, people understood the importance of using natural resources to care for their bodies. It’s a reminder that God provides for us in many ways, and He doesn’t just work through miraculous healing—He works through practical things, like wine, oils, herbs, and medicines. This helps us see that taking care of our bodies, including using things God made, is important and part of His plan.

One of the most well-known stories about healing is the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:34. When the Samaritan found a man beaten and left for dead, he didn’t just walk by. He stopped, cleaned the man’s wounds, and helped him recover. He used oil and wine, things that were commonly used for healing at that time. This wasn’t a trained doctor—it was just a good person doing what he could to help. And while this is a story about loving your neighbor, it also shows us that healing isn’t just about prescriptions and pills—it’s about showing care, compassion, and doing what you can to help someone get better. It’s a reminder that we’re all called to be part of the healing process, in whatever ways we can. This is why the term “Good Samaritan” is used even today.

In Luke 4:40, Jesus healed many who came to Him with sickness and disease. “Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” Jesus didn’t just focus on the spiritual; He cared for the physical needs of the people too. His healings were a picture of God’s love and care. Doctors and other healers today are called to do the same—to care for the whole person, not just the body but the spirit as well.

The Bible also mentions natural remedies. In Ezekiel 47:12, it talks about trees with leaves “for the healing of the nations.” God made the earth with all kinds of plants and substances that have healing powers. Herbs, oils, herbs and other natural resources are all part of God’s design to help us heal. It shows that medicine doesn’t have to be artificial to be part of God’s plan for healing. What God made is the best medicine.

But here's the challenge we face today. In our world, we’ve got a lot of synthetic drugs—medicines that have been created in labs. Some of them do help, but many come with side effects - they may say "the risk is considered less than the benefit". And some even do more harm than good. It’s not uncommon to hear about medications that promise healing, only to later find out they cause more damage or come with serious and harmful side effects. The Bible teaches us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and that we are supposed to honor God with our bodies. If a drug is causing harm or damage, it doesn’t seem to fit with God’s intention for us to be healthy and whole now, does it?

That doesn’t mean we should throw out modern medicine altogether. There are medicines today that save lives, help people recover, and actually do ease suffering. But we need to be wise and discerning about what we put in our bodies, just like Paul encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for his health issues. We have to ask ourselves: Is this medicine truly helping, or is it making things worse? If it’s causing harm, it’s worth questioning whether it’s truly part of God’s plan for our healing.

The Bible doesn’t tell us to reject modern medicine, but it does remind us to be cautious. God cares about our whole health—spirit, soul, and body—and we should be thoughtful about how we take care of ourselves. We should seek healing that truly brings us closer to the wholeness that God desires, using wisdom, prayer, and discernment to choose what helps and to avoid what harms.

God calls doctors, healers, and all of us to be part of His healing work. Whether we’re using natural remedies, synthetic medicine, or simply offering a helping hand to someone in need, we’re all called to restore people, not just physically, but spiritually too. Healing isn’t just about getting better—it’s about becoming whole in every part of who we are. It’s about using the gifts and wisdom God has given us to help one another. So when we face modern medicine, we must approach it with wisdom and trust God’s leading, knowing that true healing always comes from Him.  Let His Holy Spirit guide you.

 

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

Anna M. C. Hazen  2025