Alternative therapies and medicine – An area over which Christians disagree, and which raises many questions.
So what should be our approach as Christians ?
And more especially, how do we determine what is okay ? What measure do we use to test things ?

Primary tests :
~ The Bible.
~ Prayer.
~ The spiritual and historical background of the therapy.
~ Holy Spirit’s witness. Discernment.
~ The beliefs and attitude of the doctor/person practising it.
~ Does it bring you closer to, or take you further from, God ?

To bear in mind, but not best indicators :
~ The results. Does it work ? Christianity is not pragmatic – God is unchanging, as is what is right or wrong, regardless of whether it works. Satan can counterfeit healing if it suits his purposes.
~ Does it have a provable scientific physical basis ? Science changes, we don’t understand everything even in the physical realm.

I would add that we should be applying these primary tests equally to western medicine, as to alternative therapies. In fact to anything that is not explicitly Biblical.

So what does the Bible say explicitly ? What are definite no’s to avoid completely ?

· Deuteronomy 4:23-24 – Astrology. Anything connected to astrology, which is the basis of a lot of occult practices.
· Deuteronomy 18:9-13 – basically any spiritual supernatural activity not explicitly from God.
If anything claims to work on a spiritual, non physical level – don’t touch it.
If anything uses spells, incantations, divination, auras, runes – don’t touch it.
If we have any doubt about something in this area, we need to steer well clear of it because of how strongly God is against these things.
The Bible makes it clear what will happen to those who practice these things and do not repent . Read Revelation 21:8.

What are some of the more general principles from Scripture to apply or bear in mind ?

· Exodus 23:2 – Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.
Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Peter says we are aliens and strangers in this world. John says don’t love the world or anything in it.
If Jesus Christ is your Saviour and Lord, then you belong to the Kingdom of God.
Just because the world around us is into something, doesn’t mean that we should be….in fact we should be very careful of it.
· Not giving ourselves over to anything but the Lord. Out trust is in God, not doctors, medicine or alternative therapies.
· There should be nothing so important in our lives that we’re not prepared to give it up for God.
· Treating our body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and therefore not engaging in anything to pollute or dishonour it.
· Turning to God for our healing, and most definitely for our wholeness and peace of mind.
· Pray continually – we need to be asking God, seeking His guidance.

The slippery slope argument – some argue that we should have nothing at all to do with any alternative therapies because it’s the tip of the iceberg, thin end of the wedge, etc.
Basically it depends on the person, their temperament, and their spiritual state. It could be a problem to many people, particularly if they’re not walking closely with God they could easily be deceived and it’s something to stay well clear of, but not for everyone.

The things which are not obviously wrong by the criteria we’ve already looked at, come into what seems to be a grey area, or area of dispute.

One of the big issues in Paul’s day was food offered to idols.
Some Christians said don’t touch it at all or you’ll be defiled (emphasising holiness and detachment from the world), and others said all food is God’s so eat it with thanks to Him (emphasising freedom and faith). Both groups are seeking to honour God.
He talks about this at length in 1 Corinthians 8-10.
Many things are absolutely clear from Scripture, but when things aren’t, or more than one Biblical principle applies, then we need to heed what God says through Paul.
Two important principles come from Paul’s teaching :

· Living in faith – whatever you do, give thanks to God and do it for Him. Be in faith and don’t doubt. If you have any doubts about something, don’t do it.

· Don’t cause your brother to stumble. If an issue is known to be contentious, keep it generally between you and God, don’t keep talking about it, and certainly don’t encourage others to do something against their conscience – that is causing them to stumble.

Concluding thoughts :

So work it through personally, prayerfully and Biblically, then leave it.

Make sure your focus is on Jesus, and that you’re seeking to live according to His word, and not just going along with the world and what is generally acceptable, or with your own feelings.
Remember this country has been turning it’s back on Jesus for about the past 40 years, so be suspicious of anything increasing in popularity during that time – an example of this is alternative therapies, many of which have their origins in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Paganism. If you find yourself defending alternative therapies then that should set alarm bells ringing.

But also, don’t react to things in fear and anxiety, be confident in the Lord and His Word.
If you find yourself reacting defensively and in fear of these things, then that too should set alarm bells going.

Confess any wrong attitudes, and repent, offer yourself fully to God and He will renew your mind. Be confident in Christ, let His word dwell in you, and be in faith.