3 John 2
It has been clearly demonstrated that
humans function in three phases—physical,
mental, and spiritual. We were intelligently
and harmoniously designed by our Creator in
His own image (Gen. 1:20). Naturalism, vegetarianism,
and faith—the lifestyle that pleases
God—are to be considered as the best choices
to reap a prosperous health that glorifies God
(see Gal. 6:7, 8).
If we want to reap wholistic health, we
must follow some rules. Let’s briefly study
some of these rules.
I. Fresh air (Gen. 2:7)
Oxygen and atmospheric gases help to
sustain life, but they are not life. A person can
live for weeks without food, a few days without
water, but only minutes without air. Lack
of oxygen even for a short time can lead to irreversible
brain damage and can cause death
in just a few minutes. Oxygen, brain cells, and
thoughts are inseparable.
Breathing is indispensable, and this process
determines if we are sick or healthy. It is
divided into two parts: inspiration and expiration.
Inspiration is a function that is governed
by the subconscious part of the brain, and it
consists of the rhythmic and steady flow of air
through the respiratory tract toward the lungs,
where metabolic changes occur. Expiration
is the expulsion of the air in our lungs that is
saturated with carbon dioxide, a byproduct of
organic combustion.
II. Sunlight (Mal. 4:2)
All living beings on Planet Earth depend
on the sun. Sunlight is a source of energy for
the vegetable kingdom, and humans can obtain
energy directly from the rays of the sun. The
human body can synthesize its own cholesterol
from fats, oils, and proteins.
Hypertension is one of the leading indicators
of potential heart disease. The fact the exposure
to sunlight can reduce cholesterol, hypertension,
and glycemia is an indication that
heliotherapy can be used effectively for these
purposes. Sunlight is also capable of fighting
cancer by stimulating the immune system and
increasing the flow of oxygen in the tissues. A
strong immune system not only protects us
from the common cold, flu, and other infectious
diseases; it can also inhibit the development
of cancer.
III. Water (John 4:14)
The process of using water to cure diseases
is known as hydrotherapy. Remember that
perfect circulation is perfect health, and the use
of water as a treatment is one of the best ways
to regulate circulation. The change that occurs
when cold water is applied to the skin is called
a “reaction.” The application of heat followed by
cold will immediately increase the number of red
and white cells in the blood. The external application
of water is an easy and satisfactory method
of regulating blood circulation. A cold shower
is excellent for toning the body. A warm shower
will calm the nerves and balance the circulation.
IV. Exercise (Eccl. 5:12)
Human beings were created to be active.
They were given limbs that can bend and
muscles that can move. A muscle is a group
of fibers. These fibers derive energy from what
a person eats. Muscles, including the heart,
are strengthened by exercise. Inactive people
are twice as likely to suffer heart attacks than
those who are physically active.
Exercise is not only a valuable preventive
measure; it can also be restorative. In addition
to helping to develop and maintain the cardiovascular,
respiratory and muscular systems,
exercise also helps to relax all the body’s systems
and maintain homeostasis.
V. Appropriate diet and nutrition
(Eccl. 10:17)
Good nutrition based on a balanced diet is
essential to good health. What is a diet? It is a
nutritional regime regulated by medical norms,
not by choice or desire. What is nutrition? It is
the act of nourishment. In other words, it is the
art of “eating to live,” not “living to eat.”
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, once
said: “May your food be your medicine and
your medicine your food.” Health derives
from what we eat. Food is divided into two
groups: natural and artificial. Natural foods
are those that are taken from nature just as
they are. Artificial foods are those that suffer
transformation due to commercial, humandriven
processes. Good nutrition is based on
the consumption of appropriate substances
and nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates,
fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. To enjoy
good health, our intake should be 80 percent
alkaline foods and 20 percent acidic foods. And the fewer refined (processed) foods, we
consume, the better.
VI. Temperance (1 Cor. 9:25)
Temperance or self-control is a mental
process that helps human beings not to abuse
good things and to abstain from what is not
good; in other words, it works as the balancing
force between good and bad.
VII. Rest (Mark 6:31)
To rest is to voluntarily cease all bodily activity.
In His wisdom, God determined that every
workday would lead to a night of rest. All the organs
in our body require rest. Physical and mental
labor produces fatigue. The principal mode
of rest is sleep. Other forms of rest include napping,
a change of activities, or taking a vacation.
One-third of the human existence is spent
sleeping. Individuals who sleep less than 6
hours and those who sleep more than 9 hours
usually live shorter lives than those who sleep
between 7-8 hours.
VIII. Confidence in divine power
(Jer. 17:7)
The Bible says that without faith, it is
impossible to please God, and without faith,
many healing blessings will be detained. The
weight of sin, with its greediness and anxieties
that are never satisfied, is the fundamental
cause of sickness.
What physicians can only attempt, Christ
will complete. Physicians try to stimulate nature’s
healing powers, but only Jesus can heal.
Physicians try to conserve life, and Christ
gives life.
For humanity, God’s health principles are
the confidence that lies in the power that comes
from above and which God is continually supplying.
The decision to balance your life and keep it
under control is an individual responsibility.
Many will ask, where can we obtain help
to gain victory over degrading and destructive
lifestyle habits? This is where self-control,
rooted in the confidence in divine power,
comes into play.
This sermon, prepared by Dr. R. Pérez Santos
and published on the North Jamaica Conference
Health Ministries Department Website, has been
edited by the General Conference Ministerial
Association for Elder’s Digest.
