Bible Study
Thanks to science we now know that good diet, regular exercise and a healthy sleep habit contribute significantly to a healthy life. Other helpful factors include; having strong social connections, limiting alcohol intake and cigarette smoking and maintaining good mental health.
God doesn’t just want us living long lives, He wants us living life to it’s fullest. John’s prayer for prosperity in third John 1:2 includes physical and spiritual prosperity.
“Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].“
3 John 1:2 AMP
God wants us healthy, well and enjoying life.
Below I share 6 secrets to long healthy life from the Bible;
1. Reverence the Lord thy God
Proverbs 3: 7-8 presents healthwise benefits of having the ‘fear’ of the Lord. While the NKJV says it as ‘fear the Lord’, the Amplified version clarifies that this ‘fear’ is not one of terror but that of having a deep reverence for the Lord.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:7-8 NKJV
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil. It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts] And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:7-8 AMP
How do we reverence God? By giving attention to His Word and obeying same. When we ask ourselves and respond in line with scriptures to the question ‘what would Jesus do? it helps us more readily reverence God in our choices, words, actions, etc.
Do you want to enjoy a full and satisfactory life? Give God first place in your life…
“My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 NKJV
2. Operate in Wisdom
Wisdom preserves one’s life and adds years to age.
“Wisdom will help you live longer; she will add years to your life. If you become wise, it will be for your own good. If you are rude and show no respect, you are the one who will suffer.“
Proverbs 9:11-12 ERV
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.”
Proverbs 3:13-17 NKJV
Wisdom comes from the mouth of God. So when we store God’s Word in our hearts and we let the Word guide us, we are behaving as the wise. When we apply the Word in our daily living we are operating in wisdom. Wisdom helps us know when to speak and when to be quiet, when to act and when to restrain ourselves.
3. Give honor where honor is due
To our parents:
Remember the first commandment with a promise? Exodus 20: 12….
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 NKJV
To the elders who rule well:
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.“
I Timothy 5:17 NKJV
Some anointed elders may not rule well. The Bible doesn’t say to dishonor them, however those who rule well deserve double honor.
To the king and all those in rulership/government:
“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
I Peter 2:17 NKJV
“All of you must obey the government rulers. Everyone who rules was given the power to rule by God. And all those who rule now were given that power by God. So anyone who is against the government is really against something God has commanded. Those who are against the government bring punishment on themselves.“
Romans 13:1-2 ERV
To everyone:
“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
I Peter 2:17 NKJV
Don’t be selective in whom you respect; everyone has something to offer.
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another”
Romans 12:10 NKJV
4. Rule the tongue
The tongue is a powerful member of the human body…when we use it wisely, we enjoy it’s benefits…
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21 NKJV
Speak life! Speak life even when it sounds like nonsense to your own ears. Keep saying what the Word says concerning you.
Refrain your tongue from speaking evil/guile….lying and being deceitful can shorten your lifespan.
For “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
I Peter 3:10 NKJV
5. Be humble
“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.”
Proverbs 22:4 NKJV
Be humble towards God- give Him the reverence due Him, put God first. Be humble towards men- love as God loves, consider others in all things.
6. Choose healthy lifestyles
Exercise; take advantage of the ‘little’ profit exercise has on the body…..
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
I Timothy 4:8 NKJV
Eat right and don’t forget to drink lots of water…
Daniel and his friends maximized the benefits of healthy eating and staying well-hydrated….
“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.”
Daniel 1:12-16 NKJV
Maintain Godly social connections, it’s important for your mental health.
Did you know that God has a good sense of humor? There was this time I was so sick that even laughter became a luxury. Any time I tried to laugh, speak with a loud voice or sing, my heart would start racing so fast I’ll feel all ill all over again. One day, I was led to start studying the book of Job. Just thinking about how much fun God seemed to be having with Job, kept me laughing throughout until laughter became normal to me again. So find time to hang out with good friends/family and enjoy some laughs.
“Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.”
Proverbs 17:22 GNBUK
Be like God your Father; forgive easily…..
“O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.“
Psalms 86:5 NLT
Finally, whatever you do, do it in love…
“Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].”
1 Corinthians 16:14 AMP
Halleluyah!
