Sermon: Salubrious [suh-loo-bree-uh s]
by Chris Cumming                                                                                                   printer-friendly   MP3

This is a sermon about Proverbs 17:22.    Please read our medical disclaimer first.  It is at the bottom of this page.

Proverbs 17:22 
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Before we immerse ourselves into the depth of this single verse, let me explain the title, "Salubrious" [suh-loo-bree-uh s].

Salubrious [suh-loo-bree-uh s]
--favorable to or promoting health

In this definition is the purpose of this sermon.  Seek out and invoke elements favorable to or promoting your health.

Invoke elements favorable to your health. 

These elements are all indicated in your Bible and have been discovered by medical science.

I read an article I found on the Internet with the title, "The Chemistry of Emotions."  Here is an excerpt:

There are many different emotions, including affection, anger, angst, anguish, annoyance, anxiety, apathy, arousal, awe, boredom, confidence, contempt, contentment, courage, curiosity, depression, desire, despair, disappointment, disgust, distrust, dread, ecstasy, embarrassment, envy, euphoria, excitement, fear, frustration, gratitude, grief, guilt, happiness, hatred, hope, horror, hostility, hurt, hysteria, indifference, interest, jealousy, joy, loathing, loneliness, love, lust, outrage, panic, passion, pity, pleasure, pride, rage, regret, relief, remorse, sadness, satisfaction, self-confidence, shame, shock, shyness, sorrow, suffering, surprise, terror, trust, wonder, worry, zeal, and zest.

Emotions are not really made out of anything, but how we feel emotions can be described. Emotions come from the arousal of the nervous system. Neurotransmitters and hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, are chemicals that are involved in the process of feeling emotions.

Millions of chemical reactions take place in the brain at any given time. Chemical reactions occur because of synapses. Synapses are parts of the nervous system, and it is through these that neurons are able to transmit messages using neurotransmitters.

Emotions are typically measured in physiological responses, such as a pounding heart, sweating, blood rushing to the face, and the release of adrenaline. Expression is also a major part of emotions. Expression is associated with parts of the nervous system such as the motor cortex, limbic system, and the brain stem. The parts of the nervous system that affect emotion the most are the frontal lobes and the amygdala [uh-mig-duh-luh]. The frontal cortex is usually associated with feelings of happiness and pleasure. The amygdala [uh-mig-duh-luh] is usually associated with feelings of anger, fear, and sadness.  ~end quote

The amygdala [uh-mig-duh-luh], and there are two of these in the brain, are located at the bottom of the brain at the center.  They are much smaller in comparison with the frontal lobe or the entire frontal cortex.

Isn't this interesting?  It has been taught throughout the history of the modern Church of God that the Holy Spirit resides in the frontal cortex of the brain.  Why is this taught?  The frontal cortex makes up 75% of the brain by volume and 85% by weight.  The frontal cortex is made up of four lobes. The frontal lobe is the largest of these 4.  This frontal lobe is involved in conscious thought and higher mental functions such as decision-making.  The entire Bible is about our conscious thinking and decision-making.  It is absolutely logical and, indeed, spiritually logical that the Holy Spirit, the power of God, would reside in the part of the brain where we think, make decisions and where our positive emotions are generated.  I doubt anyone would want the Holy Spirit residing in the amygdala [uh-mig-duh-luh] with emotions like anger, sorrow and hatred.

So science is telling us that chemicals are involved in the process of feeling emotions.  Let us see if this is indicated in the Bible.  Go to our key verse again; Proverbs 17:22

Proverbs 17:22 
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
 

Why is God saying that the positive emotion of the heart [the brain] is like a medicine?  Medicines are chemicals or act as chemicals.  Medicines speak to positive therapy and/or cures.  And how could a broken spirit, an emotion, dry up the bones unless chemicals were involved.  Let us see how the commentaries deal with Proverbs 17:22.

A cheerful spirit

I. The value of a cheerful spirit.
1. It helps bodily health.
2. It is a clarifier and invigorator of the mind.
3. It lubricates the wearing machinery of business and daily care.

II. How to attain this [cheerful] spirit?
1. Look at your mercies with both eyes; your troubles with only one eye.
2. Learn Paul’s secret: “In whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
3. Be useful. Light somebody’s torch, and your own will burn brighter.
4. Make God your trustee. Believe in His care of your welfare. ~Biblical Illustrator

Bodily health depending on mental moods
So closely connected is the soul with the body, that physical health is ever, to a great extent, dependent on mental states. A dark thought has power to work disease and death into the corporeal frame. This is a fact—

1. Recognized by medical science. A wise physician avails himself of this fact, and is ever anxious not only to dispel all sad thought from the mind of the patient, but to awaken the most pleasurable thoughts and emotions. It is a fact—

2. Attested by general experience.
I. The responsibility of man is for his physical health. Man is responsible for his mental disposition, whether cheerful or gloomy, and his disposition greatly determines his health.

II. The duty of the guardians of childhood and youth [is to oversee their health].

III. The sanitary influence of Christianity. The design of Christianity is to fill the human heart with joy. “These things have I spoken unto you that your joy may be full” [John 6:24; 1 John 1:4; 2 John 1:12]. Christianity is the best physician to the body. He who promotes Christianity is the wise philanthropist. Some people are always trying to keep the body well, and neglect entirely the condition of the soul. ~Biblical Illustrator

The effects of cheerfulness and of despondency

I. The meaning of the verbs.

1. By “a merry heart” is meant a heart which has been taught by [God] to seek its happiness in Divine and heavenly objects [assiduity praying and the 10,000-year perspective to mention just two], which is disposed to look at the bright side of things under the influence of contentment and hope. Such a heart has the best reason for cheerfulness. Faith keeps it from suspicion and distrust, hope from despair, and charity [love] from that envy which is a rottenness of the bones. The love of God shed abroad in the heart makes it form the most favorable idea of every dispensation, and Christ dwelling there brightens all around by His presence. ~Biblical Illustrator

Let me back up this commentary with the Word of God.  Let us look at the effects of a merry heart [gladness], love, faith hope and other elements:

Faith and Prayer
James 5:15
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Merry Heart or Gladness
Proverbs 15:13-15
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Merry Heart and Joy
Psalm 51:8
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Joy and Gladness - Just how has God called His people?
Psalm 105:43
And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

Love
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Hope - How often should we invoke Hope?
Psalm 71:14
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

Hope - What should be the object of our hope?
Psalm 119:114, 116
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Words -
Proverbs 12:25
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Notice the commentary:
But a good word maketh it glad - A single good or favorable word will remove despondency; and that word, “Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee,” will instantly remove despair [Matthew 9:2]. ~Adam Clarke

Quoted verse:
Matthew 9:2
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Words - Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Faith [trust], Hope - Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Hope and Gladness - What is the relationship between hope and gladness?
Proverbs 10:28
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

What happens if we put off hope or fail to invoke it continually?
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire [of your hope] cometh, it is a tree of life.

Note: Imagine all the positive chemicals that are set off when you receive an object of your desire.  The same kind of chemicals are produced with all these fruits of the spirit, all these positive emotions.

Merry Heart and Joy
Ecclesiastes 9:7 ...and speaking about the chemistry of emotions.
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Note: That phrase at the end, “for God now accepteth thy works” reads better as, “already has pleasure in.” ~Barnes Notes

So God is stating that in a life where He has pleasure in our doings, there is cause to eat and drink with a merry heart and joy.  Imagine the health benefits of this.

Sound Heart
Proverbs 14:30
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Notice the commentary on the phrase, “sound heart.”

Sound heart - literally, “heart of health,” that in which all emotions and appetites are in a healthy equilibrium. The contrast with this is the envy which eats, like a consuming disease, into the very bones and marrow of a man’s moral life. ~Barnes Notes

Fear of God and departing from Evil
Proverbs 3:7-8
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Continuing in the commentary now and the meaning of terms.  We just covered "a merry heart" and now this one:

2. By the “broken spirit” is meant a heart crushed by affliction, and which refuses to be comforted. Such is his spirit who, seeing his affairs ruined by his own folly, or the knavery of others, or by misfortunes which he could neither foresee nor prevent, sinks into utter despondence, and becomes incapable of the least effort to better his circumstances. Such is his spirit who, seeing the desire of his eyes taken away with a stroke, imagines he has nought now to live for. Such also is the spirit of the man wounded by remorse, or shattered by the influence of indulged melancholy, jealousies, suspicions, and fears.

II. Illustrate this view here given of the result of cheerfulness and depression.

1. Let us consider their influence on the body. The influence of a suitable medicine on the body is wonderful. Disease is checked or alleviated by it when first received; the continued use of it removes it entirely, and strengthens the constitution to resist its further attacks. Such is the power of holy joy over the health. On the other hand, a broken spirit dries up the bones, and the finest constitution sinks under its influence.

2. Consider their influence on prosperity and adversity. All the comforts of prosperity are heightened by a cheerful spirit. So, amiable does prosperity appear when thus enjoyed, that every heart wishes its continuance; but the broken spirit is a stranger to all the satisfactions as well as the homage of gratitude. On such a heart, all its delights are lavished in vain. The cheerful heart can triumph in adversity. But how different is the case with the broken spirit! Every temporal disaster is the supposed prelude to their ruin, etc.

3. Consider the influence of cheerfulness and of depression on the soul. Cheerfulness quickens all the powers of the soul in their exercise [being invoked]; the imagination forms the most pleasing ideas of scenes and objects; memory calls up the most joyous recollections; hope paints the future blissful as the present; and the understanding, rejoicing in the truth, pursues its inquiries with unwearied ardor. On the other hand, when the spirit is broken, the imagination calls up only scenes of woe; memory brings nought to remembrance but what tends to disquiet and torment us; despair clothes the heavens with blackness; and the understanding doth nought but write bitter things, and form the most dreadful conclusions against itself.

4. Consider the influence of cheerfulness and depression on the duties and the pursuits of life. When the heart is cheerful the duties of a [firstfruit’s] calling is a pleasure to him. How ingenious is the cheerful heart in finding the means of enjoyment and in extending these! On the other hand, when the spirit is broken the duties of a man’s profession are a burden him.

5. Consider their influence on the connections of life. The man of a merry heart is the happiness of his family and friends. How different is the case with the broken spirit! The indications of joy in his presence such a man is apt to regard as an insult to his wretchedness.

Conclusion:

1. How strongly does the broken spirit claim our pity and our prayers! It is impossible to conceive, on this side the grave, a condition drearier.

2. Let us carefully guard against the first symptoms of despondence in ourselves and in others. Let us seek out those remedies which the gospel contains for raising the bowed down. ~Biblical Illustrator

I now want to look at four more verses in Proverbs that speak to this idea

Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

But the tongue of the wise is health - or "healing"; by giving a faithful testimony which sets matters right; by clearing and defending the character of those who are falsely accused and wrongfully charged; by making up differences, and reconciling persons at variance through the detracting and lying insinuations of others; and by speaking comfortable, cheerful, and refreshing words to the injured and abused; especially the tongue of a wise minister of the Gospel is health, or healing, to wounded souls, to whom he ministers the Gospel of the grace of God, which directs to Christ for healing, peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life. ~John Gill

Proverbs 13:17
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

But a faithful ambassador is health - or, "an ambassador of truths"; one that performs his embassy well and truly, he is salutary, useful, and profitable to himself, and to them that send him: the word for ambassador is translated an "hinge", Proverbs 26:14; and he is so called, because upon his negotiations abroad the hinge of political affairs turn at home. An ambassador of Christ, who does his work faithfully, keeps back nothing that is profitable, but declares the whole counsel of God; the sound doctrines he delivers are health to the souls of men; as well as he is approved of God and Christ; and so it turns to his own health and advantage, who will hear one day said unto him, "Well done, good and faithful servant", Matthew 25:23.  ~John Gill

But a faithful ambassador is health - The happy effects of fidelity: An ambassador who faithfully discharges his trust, and serves the interests of those who employ him, is health; he is health to those by whom and for whom he is employed, heals differences that are between them, and preserves a good understanding; he is health to himself, for he secures his own interest. This is applicable to ministers, Christ's messengers and ambassadors; those that are wicked and false to Christ and the souls of men do mischief and fall into mischief, but those that are faithful will find sound words to be healing words to others and themselves. ~Matthew Henry

Proverbs 16:24 
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb - Jarchi interprets it of the words of the law; but it may be much better understood of the doctrines of the Gospel; such as the doctrines of God's everlasting love, eternal election, the covenant of grace, the person of Christ as God-man; of peace and reconciliation by his blood; of remission of sins through his atoning sacrifice; of justification by his righteousness; of life and salvation by his obedience, sufferings, and death; all the doctrines of grace, which show that salvation in all its parts is owing entirely to the free grace of God; these are all pleasant to the ear of him that knows the joyful sound, and to the taste of everyone that has tasted that the Lord is gracious. The precious promises of the Gospel may be meant; which are free and unconditional, irrevocable, and immutable, never fail of accomplishment; are yea and amen in Christ, and are suited to the various cases of God's people; these are very pleasant and delightful, when they are fitly spoken, and seasonably applied. Moreover, the speech of such as are wise in heart, true believers in Christ; their words, whether expressed in prayer or in praise, are pleasant to the Lord, and very grateful and acceptable to him: so their speech one to another, when about spiritual things; when it is with grace, then it ministers grace, and is very pleasant. Now all these, and especially the doctrines of the Gospel, are as "an honeycomb"; they are like unto it for the manner of its production. ~John Gill

Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones - to them that believe, to whom Christ is precious, who have tasted that he is gracious; to these they are sweet, even sweeter than the honey or the honeycomb.  And they are "health to the bones"; they are the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus; they are the means of curing the diseases of the mind; of healing wounded spirits, and broken hearts, and broken bones; they make the bones which were broken to rejoice; what heals the bones strengthens the whole man, a man's strength lying much in his bones; these strengthen the inward man, cause believers to go from strength to strength, and to hold on and persevere to the end.  ~John Gill

Proverbs 27:9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart - Meaning not the holy anointing oil for sacred use, or the perfume or incense offered on the altar of incense; but common oil or ointment used at entertainments, poured on the heads of the guests; and incense in censing of rooms, which were very delightful, pleased the senses, and so exhilarated the heart. ~John Gill

So doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel - so the sweet and pleasant words, the wise and cordial counsel of a man's friend, rejoice his heart; he takes it well, he is highly delighted with it; he receives it kindly, and pursues it to advantage: or "by counsel of soul", such as relates to the welfare of the soul here and hereafter; such is the counsel Christ gives, to buy of him gold tried in the fire, white raiment eye salve; and such as the Scriptures give, which, with the saints, are the men of their counsel, as they were David's; and which ministers of the Gospel give, who are therefore like ointment and perfume, "a sweet savour of life unto life": some render the words, and they will bear it, "so the sweetness of a man's friend, more than the counsel of his soul" or than his own; that is, the sweet counsel of a friend is better than his own, and more rejoices his heart, and gives him more pleasure than that does; and this way go the Jewish commentators. ~John Gill

Let me end the sermon with these scriptures:

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

1 Timothy 4:8 [see Lesson] 
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Jeremiah 33:6
Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

Proverbs 4:20-22
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

So take these words of God and…

Invoke elements favorable to your health

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