5 Designer Principles for Living: Introduction

Let’s Recap!

So far on Reformed Health we have explored three basic topics:

We will now explore five authoritative principles for living that will put anyone on the path to a healthier life – regardless of current illnesses and/or conditions or lack thereof. These principles will educate people how to avoid violations of the natural and physical laws that God has established for mankind.

Thinking Properly

Before we discuss these health principles, we need to be willing to take a potentially new approach to how health is achieved – this may require that we make a major shift in our thinking process. This was addressed in some detail in the Authoritative Answers section, but for the sake of expediency, we will briefly address it here.

We often grow up from early childhood thinking that there is only a particular way of diagnosing ill health. We learn this by the example of our parents, our school teachers, our peers, the medical establishment, and in general the culture we live in.

This approach, in most cases, is not the way God has ordained, and it is the primary reason why illness and disease persist and increase. In particular, diseases that once only affected the elderly are now being found increasingly in the younger generations, including young adults, teenagers, and children, illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, and high blood pressure.

Why?

We espouse that a large part of the problem is that God and His Word are simply ignored (for the most part) in areas involving healthy living. But for those few who do look into His Word, they often do not find the answers they are looking for and become discouraged. As a result, they turn to sources outside of Scripture in order to find a cure that will make them whole again.

Approaching God’s Holy Word

The problem can be identified in how a person approaches the Scripture.  We cannot approach Scripture with the same mindset that the world has in finding cures to our health problems. Our mindset must change – there must be a paradigm shift in our thinking. Thus, we need to take a new approach. We need to align ourselves with how the Word diagnoses ill health and view our own lives through the lens of Scripture and the design that God has for living.

We will be presenting five biblical guidelines to help us think radically different than we are accustomed. These principles may not harmonize with the beliefs, worldviews, or practices of the world around us in regards to the achievement of a healthy life. But they will perfectly align with the Word of God. This should not be a surprise to the Christian; God’s ways are always different than man’s ways.

Isaiah 55:8-9: For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Next: Designer Principle #1: Living Under God’s Design

Return To: Biblical Health Study


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved

Why Am I Sick – 7 Biblical Reasons: Conclusion

Why People Get Sick: Conclusion

We have explored seven biblical reasons why mankind gets sick.

Reason #1: For God’s Glory

There are people who are suffering for no other reason than to bring glory to God. The chances are that we will never fully understand why or how in this life. But God remains faithful no matter what we suffer.

Reason #2: For Testing, and/or instruction

Sometimes we suffer for testing and or instruction. We saw the example of Job.

Reason #3: For Judgment Against Sin

Sometimes sickness is a judgment against sin either through the removal of God’s protection, or through His divine decree.

Reason #4: Because of Exhaustion

Sometimes sickness is due to lack of rest, or exhaustion. Let us not forget to get adequate rest.

Reason #5: Because of a Broken Spirit

Depression can dry up our bones and contribute to illness. Let us seek God for deliverance from depression and take steps towards having a joyful heart.

Reason #6: Because of Demonic Possession or Influence

There are examples in the Bible of illness being directly caused by demonic influence. Though we don’t often recognize demonic activity in America, that does not negate that it exists.

Reason #7: Part A, Because of Natural Physical Laws

And lastly, we discussed the curse as a cause for illness.

Reason #7: Part B, Violating God’s Design

We also considered that illness can be caused by violating the principles of God’s design.

If we want to improve our health, we need to examine ourselves. If we have some physical weakness, it is caused by one or more of the seven reasons that we have just talked about, and there may be more than one reason for our physical suffering. There could possibly be multiple reasons. However, most illness falls into the category #7 – violating God’s natural and physical laws.

The remainder of this web-site is going to share basic, biblical principles that will help us identify God’s design for living and avoid violating the physical laws He has designed for us to live within. If applied, these principles will lead us to a greater fulfilled life of ministry for our Lord’s glory.

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II Chronicles 16:12 says, “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.” Read more about Asa’s story here.

Let us seek the Lord.

Next: Five Designer Principles for Living: Introduction

Return To: Biblical Health Study


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved

Why Am I Sick? Reason #7: The Curse and Hereditary Weakness, Part B

Part B: Sickness by Violating God’s Design

We can become sick because we violate God’s design in how we live or eat.

This can occur through neglect or ignorance. We can violate God’s design by willfully participating or not participating in actions that can harm or improve our health. Or we can violate God’s design simply because we don’t know what His design is.

Violating Foods

One example is the foods we eat. Perhaps we know that eating fast food on a regular basis is not good for our health, yet we do it anyway. This would be an example of neglect.

On the other hand, we may not be aware that white bread is poisonous, so we eat gladly. This is an example of ignorance.

Whether we eat neglectfully or ignorantly, we can have the same result: poor health.

Consider II Kings 4:38-41. The men in this passage made a stew. They had no knowledge that it was poisonous. Before they ate, they recognized that there was “death in the pot,” and Elisha made it edible. Many times the food we eat is nothing more than “death in the pot,” but we eat it without thought.

Sometimes the food we eat is not even worthy to be called food, but unfortunately we still eat it. We will suffer in our bodies the consequences of eating poisonous foods, even if the poison produces only a slow death.

Sexual Sin

Another example of how we can become sick by violating God’s design is through the consequences of sexual sin.

Consider the following passages:

Romans 1:26-27  clearly states that there is a penalty received in the body for exchanging the “natural” with the “unnatural”. This physical penalty could very well be sexually transmitted disease, including, but not limited to AIDS.

I Corinthians 6:18 calls immorality  a “sin” against the body. The result of immorality? Sexually transmitted disease is a high probability. There may be other effects on the body that we don’t even know about.  Immorality is definitely a violation of God’s design for intimacy.

General Violations

Aside from the above specific principles, there is a general all inclusive principle known as “reaping what you sow.”

Galatians 6:7-8 teaches that whatever we do, whether good or bad, we will reap the appropriate reward. If we fail to understand and follow God’s general design for living, we will reap the negative consequences in our life. On the flip side, if we learn to live under God’s design, we will also reap the benefits.

Topics that could be included under this heading are exercise, drug use or abuse, alcoholism, attitudes, sunshine, cleanliness, and so on.

We are getting close to wrapping up the seven biblical reasons for illness. We have talked a lot so far about “living under God’s design.” In future articles, we will be sharing specific ways to live purposely under God’s design.

Next: Why Am I Sick? Seven Biblical Reasons: Conclusion

Return To: Biblical Health Study


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved

Why Am I Sick? Reason #6: Because of Demonic Possession or Influence

Can Christians Be Possessed?

In America today we are not as aware of the existing spiritual realm as other nations or cultures. This lack of awareness does not negate the influence of spiritual beings.

Every Bible believing Christian must accept the existence of angels and demons, for the Bible talks about them as very real. However, we believe very strongly that true Christians can not be possessed by demonic spirits, for they are indeed possessed by the Holy Spirit.

We also acknowledge that Continue reading “Why Am I Sick? Reason #6: Because of Demonic Possession or Influence”


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved

Why Am I Sick? Reason #1: For God’s Glory

Can God Be Glorified In My Sickness?

Some people are sick simply for the sake of God’s glory. It may be difficult to understand why God would allow people to suffer for His glory. However, we know this can be the case because the Bible gives us more than one example.

Look at John 9:1-3.

In this passage, the disciples ask Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?”

The disciples assumed, like most people of their day, that Continue reading “Why Am I Sick? Reason #1: For God’s Glory”


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved

Introduction: Why Am I Sick? 7 Biblical Reasons

Why Am I Sick?

Why me? Why am I sick? Why?

We have all heard this question asked, or even asked it at some point in our life.

The Bible says in Psalms 84:11, “For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

If God withholds “no good thing” from those who walk uprightly, then it is understandable to ask, “Why do I have this sickness or chronic condition?”

To gain an understanding as to why we get sick, why we contract a disease, or why our bodies do not function properly, we need to Continue reading “Introduction: Why Am I Sick? 7 Biblical Reasons”


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved

Seek Ye First God or the Physician?

Authoritative Answers: Part Two

In the first part of this discussion, we looked at how King Ahaziah sought the god of Ekron concerning his illness rather than the God of the Bible.

Ahaziah was a pagan, idolatrous king, so one might expect him to seek counsel outside of God’s Word. It could be reasoned that as Christians we are not like Ahaziah, and therefore his situation does not really apply to us.

In addition, the story of Ahaziah may not be enough evidence to prove that seeking Continue reading “Seek Ye First God or the Physician?”


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved

Praying in Vain

To Whom Should We Go for Authoritative Answers: Part One, Section C

The previous post introduced the issue of praying for wisdom in regards to our health.

Praying in Vain

If we ask God to heal us, or give us wisdom, or give wisdom to our doctor, but we have never sought God through His Word, but have idols in our hearts, our prayers could be in vain.

Consider this example from Ezekiel. Continue reading “Praying in Vain”


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved

The False Gods of America

Authoritative Answers For Health: Part One, Section B

In the previous post, we learned that Ahaziah did not seek the true God to find the answers to his health condition, and accordingly, he died because of it.

We left off with this question:

Are we in America any different? Which gods do we seek for answers? Continue reading “The False Gods of America”


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved

Is There No God In America?

Authoritative Answers About Health: Part One, Section A

Theme Verse: I Corinthians 3:19a: For the wisdom of men is foolishness before God.

The practice of putting trust in others besides God is not new; it has been occurring since the beginning of time. There are many examples in the Scriptures, and when it happens, God is not pleased. But how does this relate to health?

Let us explore the story of Ahaziah, a man with an illness, and see how God responds to him when he does not go to the Word of God to seek answers to his health condition. Continue reading “Is There No God In America?”


Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

This page may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our affiliate policy.


Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.


Copyright:

© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
All Rights Reserved