Holding Fast to the Word: Understanding Sound Doctrine
- Hadassah Z
- Feb 23
- 7 min read
What Is Sound Doctrine and Why Is It So Powerful
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 1:2
Thriving in sound doctrine leads to the visible manifestation of health in both mind and body. A person can be completely impoverished yet in better physical condition than someone who takes supplements and exercises daily due to this natural principle.
Paul repeatedly emphasizes sound doctrine in the New Testament and ties it to 3 John 1:2, showing how distorted teachings hinder the soul’s prosperity. Have we all thoroughly considered what Paul is referring to by the statement "soul prospers" and:
How it is related to “Sound Doctrine”
Whether using unsound doctrine can lead to physical sickness and disease according to the Word
When John - refers to the soul prospering in 3 John 1:2, he is speaking about a flourishing spiritual life rooted in truth, sound doctrine, and the transformative work of God. To prosper in soul means to grow in faith, understanding, and alignment with God's will, leading to inner peace, joy, and spiritual maturity.
Paul echoes this concept in passages like Romans 12:2, where he urges believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds rather than conforming to worldly or legalistic pressures. A prospering soul is one that is continually being renewed by the Spirit, growing in discernment, and experiencing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Does This Include Physical Health?
Yes, because John explicitly mentions being in health separately from prospering in all things. This suggests that he desires the recipient’s physical well-being to align with their spiritual well-being. The phrase “just as your soul prospers” sets the standard—meaning that true prosperity and health should flow from a strong, sound spiritual life.
By What Means Is This About Physical Health?
The phrase “be in health” (ὑγιαίνω, hygiainō) in Greek specifically refers to bodily health and is used elsewhere to describe physical well-being (Luke 7:10, 1 Timothy 5:23).
The parallel with the soul prospering suggests that a person’s outward condition can and should reflect their inward condition. Paul makes similar connections in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, where he prays for believers to be sanctified “in spirit, soul, and body.”
Sound doctrine, which nourishes the soul, is also linked to physical well-being in Scripture. Proverbs 3:7-8 states that fearing the Lord and departing from evil brings “health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
3 John 1:2 expresses a holistic view of well-being, where spiritual health is the foundation, but physical health is also included. This aligns with biblical principles that sound doctrine and faith lead not only to inner peace but often to outward stability, including physical well-being.
Below are listed just some of the ways sound doctrine exerts influence on Physical Health:
Reduces Stress: Sound doctrine teaches trust in God, which reduces anxiety and stress. Modern science has confirmed that chronic stress can weaken the immune system and disrupt digestion.
Practical Wisdom: Biblical teachings often include practical wisdom for physical well-being. Examples include dietary laws promoting clean eating, Sabbath rest enhancing recovery and lowering stress, and self-control avoiding excesses harmful to the body.
Healing Through Faith: Sound doctrine acknowledges the link between prayer, faith, and healing. James 5:14-15 connects prayer and faith directly to healing.
Restoration: Doctrine rooted in truth acts as a means of restoration for the whole person.
Emotional Well-being:
Inner Peace: Sound doctrine can give inner peace through faith and alignment with God’s will.
Rejection of Distorted Teachings: Rejecting legalistic bondage and embracing grace and truth can lead to healing and strength in both spiritual and physical well-being.
Holistic View: 3 John 1:2 expresses a holistic view of well-being, where spiritual health is the foundation, and physical health is included.
Misleading teachings such as legalism and manipulation can obstruct spiritual growth, resulting in bondage, hypocrisy, division, and spiritual oppression. Manipulative teachings may cause stress and guilt, impacting physical health. In essence, sound doctrine encourages a thriving spiritual life that positively impacts emotional and physical well-being, whereas flawed teachings can impede spiritual development and negatively affect health.
Why Not Just Wealth?
The text doesn’t really equate prosperity solely with material wealth; instead, it includes holistic well-being—spiritual, emotional, and physical.
The Greek word for "prosper" (εὐοδόω, euodoō) means to succeed on a journey or to be led in a good path, which implies an overall thriving condition, not financial gain, if it ever did at all.
In contrast, Paul warns that distorted teachings—such as legalism, manipulation, or false doctrine—hinder this prosperity by leading people into bondage rather than freedom. He frequently calls for "sound doctrine" (Titus 1:9, 1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 4:3) because it preserves the truth that leads to spiritual health.
So, when John wishes that believers prosper even as their soul prospers (3 John 1:2), it means that their outward well-being should reflect the spiritual vitality they have through sound doctrine and faith in Messiah. Paul’s teachings align with this by showing that true prosperity is not in external rule-keeping but in a transformed heart and mind, free from the yoke of man-made bondage.
Testimony Time
I really need to share with you my testimony of experiences when I am around doctrine and/or practices that violate this natural law of God's earth.
In my past experiences, the only time I really needed to affect pain is when I am around bad behaviors. About a year ago I was happy to spend some time with a member of our local community. However, she had quite a chip on her shoulder. This became evident in our conversations. They would bend toward negative and outright end in gossip, slander, negative thoughts, pressure to agree, etc. After about a month of coming over to sit and visit for a spell, my body began to hurt. My arm was in constant pain without any real physical reasons. My feet were no longer letting me walk without severe pain. I couldn't get from one end of my home to the next without needing help. I was desperate, having not yet made the connection of environment to my physical condition. I'm praying to God, asking what or if there is a problem. A still small voice, in the form of thoughts, quietly said to me "Change the topic of conversation when you go over to so-in-so's". What a great idea! So I did. It went over like a lead balloon. This soul would not LET me change the topics without showing serious aggression. It was weird, I was freaked, and as a result, I just quit wanting to go over there and so I did. Over the next couple of weeks the symptoms went away but because I had to run into her at other venues, I got to see just how seething she was about it. But this was when I really began to consider spiritual matters in connection to my pain ( I have a broken back with multiple other problems and do NOT use opioids or NSAID's for relief. Fact is that when I'm not in a dark, negative, or oppressive environment I have no need of pain relief)
What Did I Learn?
By standing firm on sound doctrine, we can influence our physical condition—not just spiritually but in tangible, real-world ways.
How Does Doctrine Affect Physical Health?
Peace vs. Stress-Related Illness – Sound doctrine teaches trust in God rather than fear and anxiety.
Philippians 4:6-7 says that when we pray instead of worrying, God's peace will guard our hearts and minds. Modern science confirms that chronic stress weakens the immune system, disrupts digestion, and raises blood pressure. Trusting in God can have direct physiological benefits.
Obedience to God's Wisdom – Biblical teachings often include practical wisdom for physical well-being. For example:
Dietary laws in the Torah (while not required for salvation) promote clean eating and disease prevention.
Sabbath rest is proven to enhance recovery, lower stress, and improve longevity.
Self-control (Galatians 5:23) helps avoid excesses that harm the body of our own bodies as wll as the bodies of those around us. Things like gluttony and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand as do oppression and disease.
Healing Through Faith and Righteous Living –
Proverbs 4:20-22 – God's words are "life to those who find them and health to their whole body."
James 5:14-15 – Prayer, confession, and faith are directly linked to healing.
Psalm 107:20 – "He sent His word and healed them." Doctrine rooted in truth is a means of restoration.
Breaking the Power of False Doctrine
Manipulative or fear-based teachings and behaviors can literally make people sick by inducing stress, guilt, and spiritual oppression. When believers reject legalistic bondage and embrace grace, truth, and divine alignment, their body often follows suit in healing and strength.
In Conclusion
Yes, holding to sound doctrine does impact physical health. When our soul prospers—meaning we align with truth, trust God, and live by His wisdom—our body and overall well-being often follow in alignment.
Sound doctrine significantly impacts holistic well-being by influencing spiritual, emotional, and physical health. It serves as a foundation for a flourishing spiritual life and can tangibly affect one's overall condition.
Sound doctrine results in Spiritual Prosperity as it is grounded in truth and the transformative power of God, promoting growth in faith, comprehension, and alignment with God's will. This brings about inner peace, joy, and spiritual maturity.
I gave this all to AI and this is the conversation it had:
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