Prescription drugs, anti-depressants or other mental health medicines.

How should a Christian view prescription drugs?

Many Christians wrestle with their decisions over accepting valid medical therapies, including the use of prescription drugs. The Bible does not give us much on this subject, but if we examine the purposes of prescription drugs we can present an ideal approach to their uses based on biblical principles. We know from Scripture that ill health, disease, and death are the result of sin in the world. Much of Jesus’ earthly ministry involved combatting that curse, as He healed people everywhere He went (see Matthew 15:31). Jesus is the exact representation of God’s being (Hebrews 1:3), and by healing people He showed us God’s compassion and His identity as the Great Physician who will one day restore all of creation to health (Romans 8:18–22).

So, it is clear from Jesus’ ministry that to seek healing is not wrong; in fact, it is very right! Also, Luke, the writer of both the Gospel of Luke and Acts, was a physician (Colossians 4:14). Dr. Luke may not have dispensed prescriptions in the manner that doctors do today, but he was in the business of treating people’s physical ailments, using the medicines and treatments of his day.

In the days before prescription drugs, people sought relief from pain in other ways. Alcohol is mentioned in Proverbs 31:6–7 as being given to the terminally ill and others who suffer. Also, in 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advises Timothy to drink a little wine to relieve his stomach ailment. Since other drugs had not yet been developed, fermented drinks were often used as remedies for pain and suffering, and the use of such analgesics is approved in God’s Word.

Also, we should keep in mind that most of today’s prescription medicines are based on elements occurring naturally in creation. A doctor may prescribe Amoxil, for example, but where did that antibiotic come from? It came from a substance produced by a blue-green mold called Penicillium notatum. Where did the mold come from? God made it. So, we can say that God created the penicillin mold and gave it the useful property of killing infectious bacteria. God then allowed people to discover this property, isolate the acting agent, and purify it for use in the human body. Is it wrong to use God’s own creation to improve the health of humanity? Not at all. In fact, He is glorified in such discoveries.

All of this should help us decide how we should think about prescription drugs. There is nothing wrong with seeking a doctor’s help when we are sick. There is nothing wrong with taking the drugs that doctor prescribes in the way that they are prescribed. Are there dangers and side effects associated with prescription drugs? Yes, of course, and doctors and pharmacists will explain the risks. Is it possible to abuse prescription drugs, overuse them, or develop unwanted dependencies? Yes, and the children of God must never allow themselves to be brought under the habitual control of a substance (see 1 Corinthians 6:12 for this principle stated in a different context).

In the end, a Christian’s use of prescription drugs is between that Christian and the Lord. The Bible does not command the use of medicinal treatments, but it certainly does not forbid it, either. The child of God should care for his or her body as being the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). This means taking preventative care, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting proper exercise. It also means taking advantage of the wisdom that God has given skilled researchers and physicians. We understand that God is the Healer, no matter by what means He heals, and we give the glory to Him.

Should a Christian take anti-depressants or other mental health medicines?

Panic attacks, anxiety disorders, phobias, and depression affect millions of people. Although medical experts believe that many times the aforementioned ailments originate within a person’s psyche, there are times when a chemical imbalance is the cause—or times when a problem that began in the psyche has contributed to a chemical imbalance that now perpetuates the problem. If this is the case, medication is often prescribed to help counter the imbalance, which in turn treats the symptoms of the psychological ailment. Is this a sin? No. God has allowed man to grow in his knowledge of medicine, which God often uses in the healing process. Does God need man-made medicine in order to heal? Of course not! But God has chosen to allow the practice of medicine to progress, and there is no biblical reason not to avail ourselves of it.

However, there is a fine line between using medicine for healing purposes and continual reliance upon medicine for daily living. We need to recognize God as the Great Physician, and know that He alone holds the power to truly heal (John 4:14). We need to look to God first and foremost for our healing. For example, medicine used to treat a case of panic attack should only be used to the extent that it allows the sufferer to deal with the root cause of fear. It should be used to give back control to the sufferer. However, many sufferers take medicine in order to avoid dealing with the true cause of their ailment; this would be denying responsibility, denying God’s healing, and possibly denying others the freedom of forgiveness or closure to some past event that could be contributing to the ailment. This, then, does become sin, as it is based on selfishness.

By taking medicine on a limited basis in order to treat the symptoms, then relying upon the Word of God and wise counsel to enact transformation in one’s heart and mind, usually the need for the medicine will diminish. [It would seem there are some people whose bodies require long-term usage of anti-depressants in order to keep symptoms at bay. Also, certain other psychological disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, require long-term pharmaceutical usage, much like insulin for diabetes.] The believer’s position in Christ is affirmed, and God brings healing into those troubled areas of the heart and mind which are causing the ailment. For instance, when dealing with anxiety, we can look to what God’s Word has to say about fear and its place in a believer’s life. Reading through the following Scriptures and meditating on them can be a cure, as they give confidence and illuminate the truth of what being a child of God entails: Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 6:34; John 8:32; Romans 8:28–39; 12:1–2; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:4–9; Colossians 3:1–2; 2 Timothy 1:6–8; Hebrews 13:5–6; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 5:7; 2 Peter 1:3–4; 1 John 1:9; 4:18–19.

God can heal supernaturally and miraculously. We should pray to that end. God also heals through medicine and doctors. We should pray to that end, as well. Regardless of which direction God takes, our ultimate trust must be in Him alone (Matthew 9:22).

Sources

Gotquestions.org: How should a Christian view prescription drugs?

Gotquestions.org: Should a Christian take anti-depressants or other mental health medicines?