In this blog you will discover why every person needs not only a touch from God, but a touch from those who truly love them. discover the bonding hormone, oxytocin.
Oxytocin The Bonding Hormone
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
If you look at human touch through a biblical lens, it’s not accidental—it’s intentional, woven into how God designed us to experience love, connection, and even His presence.
1. We were created relational, not isolated
From the beginning in Genesis, God says, “It is not good that man should be alone.” That statement goes beyond companionship—it speaks to our design. We are made for connection, and touch is one of the most immediate, embodied ways that connection is expressed. It reflects God’s own relational nature.
2. God uses touch as a means of healing and restoration
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus Christ consistently touches people—others Jesus avoided and never touched. He touched lepers, the sick, and the broken. In a culture where those individuals were often isolated, His touch wasn’t just physical healing—it was restoration of dignity, identity, and belonging.
One powerful example is in Mark 1:41, where Jesus “stretched out His hand and touched him”—a leper. That moment wasn’t required for healing—He could have spoken a word—but He chose touch. That shows intention: God doesn’t just heal at a distance; He draws near.
3. Touch communicates blessing and spiritual impartation
In Scripture, physical contact often accompanies blessing. In Matthew 19:13–15, Jesus lays hands on children to bless them. Touch becomes a conduit of grace, virtue, affirmation, and spiritual covering. It’s a reminder that God’s love is not abstract—it’s personal and tangible.
The bible also teaches that believers should not be quick to touch (lay hands) on just anyone because you may be partaking of their sins. How one may ask? Because “touch” opens the door to release or receive what ever is in one a persons life. Laying on of hands through “touching someone” will either release the power of God or Satan. As believers we must be discerning of who we should touch, and who we allow to touch us.
1 Timothy 5:22 “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
With some people, you are better off to never lay hands on them because touching is the conduit in which spiritual power and virtue is transferred to another person, and the power might be demonic in nature, or it may be the power of the Holy Spirit being transferred as we see in the following verses of scripture.
Luke 6:19 “And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.”
Acts 19:11-12 “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.”
Luke 8
“43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that VIRTUE is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”
Human touch is real and spiritual in nature. Virtue “came out of Jesus”, and virtue is POWER.
Greek definition of Virtue:
δύναμιν (dynamin) — 33 Occurrences
Matthew 22:29 N-AFS
GRK: μηδὲ τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ θεοῦ
NAS: the Scriptures nor the power of God.
KJV: the scriptures, nor the power of God.
INT: nor the power of God
Matthew 25:15 N-AFS
GRK: τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν
NAS: to his own ability; and he went on his journey.
KJV: to his several ability; and
INT: the own ability and he left the region
Mark 5:30 N-AFS
GRK: ἐξ αὐτοῦ δύναμιν ἐξελθοῦσαν ἐπιστραφεὶς
NAS: in Himself that the power [proceeding] from Him had gone forth,
KJV: in himself that virtue had gone out of
INT: out of him power has gone forth having turned
4. The incarnation: God came near, not far
The ultimate picture is that God didn’t remain distant. Through Jesus Christ, He entered human experience fully—able to be seen, heard, and touched. This is profound: God chose closeness over separation. It reinforces the idea that physical presence and connection matter deeply.
Jesus coming to earth in the flesh was so important because if would not have come, humans would have never been able to experience or knowing God fully. Through Jesus we can now be touched by God and receive and understand his love. Jesus is God in the flesh.
5. The body itself has spiritual value
The Bible doesn’t treat the body as insignificant. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, it says our bodies are temples. That means what we experience physically—including touch—has spiritual significance. Loving, appropriate touch can reflect God’s care, comfort, and peace.
6. The Church as a living, connected body
Believers are described as one body in 1 Corinthians 12. This metaphor isn’t just symbolic—it emphasizes interdependence and connection. While not always literal touch, it reinforces that we are meant to be close, supportive, and present with one another in real, tangible ways.
Putting it together:
From a biblical perspective, touch is more than biology—it’s a reflection of how God relates to us and how we are meant to relate to each other. Human touch heals, restores, blesses, bonds, and connects. It carries love in a form that words often cannot.
At its deepest level, human touch echoes a greater truth: God is not distant. He draws near, He restores, and He makes His presence known—not just spiritually, but in ways we can truly feel and experience, this also applies to human beings interacting physically in person where they can meet, shake hands, etc. This aspect of humanity is both necessary for a relationship of any kind to grow. Without human touch one will never experience the power of another one’s love and compassion.
Human touch isn’t a sentimental extra—it’s a core regulatory system for the body and mind. From a biological and psychological standpoint, it directly influences how we develop, bond, and maintain stability.
Listed below are six important key things that we can learn about the human touch…
1. It regulates the nervous system
Touch activates pressure receptors in the skin that signal safety to the brain. This reduces activity in the stress-response system (sympathetic nervous system) and increases parasympathetic activity—the “rest and restore” mode. In practical terms, a simple hug or hand on the shoulder can lower heart rate, reduce cortisol, and stabilize mood.
2. It releases bonding chemistry
Physical contact stimulates the release of oxytocin—often called the “bonding hormone.” Oxytocin strengthens trust, attachment, and emotional connection between people. This is why touch is foundational in parent-child bonding, romantic relationships, and even close friendships.
3. It supports mental health
A lack of touch—sometimes called “touch deprivation” or “skin hunger”—is associated with increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. Humans are wired for connection, and touch is one of the most direct ways that connection is communicated without words.
4. It plays a role in early development
In infancy, touch is critical. Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate a baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing. More importantly, it shapes emotional development—children who receive consistent, nurturing touch tend to develop stronger emotional security and resilience.
5. It communicates what words can’t
Touch conveys empathy, reassurance, love, and presence instantly. A handshake, hug, or even a brief touch on the arm can communicate sincerity or support more efficiently than language. This is especially important in moments of grief, fear, or vulnerability.
6. It reinforces identity and belonging
At a deeper level, touch confirms that we are not isolated individuals but relational beings. It grounds us in physical reality and reinforces a sense of belonging—“I am here, and I am connected to others.”
If you look at it holistically, human touch functions almost like a built-in healing mechanism—affecting physiology, emotional stability, and social bonding all at once.
Okay now that you’ve learned the importance of human touch, now go and literally touch someone and bless them with the love and power of God that is within you whenever the Lord leads you of course!
