WHY SO MUCH SICKNESS?
By Bibleman
WHAT CAUSES SICKNESS AND DISEASE?
According to the word of God most sickness and disease is directly related to how we live. Sin is the primary cause of all sickness, disease, affliction and many physical ailments.
Original sin is the inherited fleshly sin nature which has been passed down from Adam to all of us and is the reason we all grow old and die (Gen. 3:16-19). From Adams disobedience we all reap the curse of spiritual death, sin, sickness and physical death. This inherited sin nature is a fallen nature or a spiritual death and is the reason we all need a Savior and why we must be spiritually re-born. “I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.†(Ps. 51:5) The “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked†because of our fallen nature.(Jer. 17:9) This is why we are in need of a Savior who can redeem us from this fallen nature and make us holy. (Tit. 2:14) Through the atoning work of Christ we are redeemed from the curse of a fallen nature, “that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.†(Gal. 3:13,14, 4:1-5; Rom. 8:23) This great redemption from the fall of Adam results in complete reconciliation to God and provides 1) spiritual rebirth (1 Pet. 1:23; Jn. 1:13; 1 Jn. 5:1,4,18) 2. the forgiveness of sin (Ep. 1:7) 3. the redemption of the body through the resurrection of Christ (Rom. 8:23) 4. healing for the physical body (Is. 53:5) and 5. deliverance and healing for the soul (Mt. 9:12,13)
Ancestral sin is the sins committed by our forefathers which are passed down to us (Ex. 34:7; Job 21:19; Jer. 32:18; 2 Kin. 5:27; Lam. 5:7). “Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.†(Lam. 5:7) “Thou…recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them…†(Jer. 32:18) The sins each of us commit today can have an adverse effect upon our children. These generational sins or curses can affect the children of those guilty of idolatry to the 3rd and 4th generations (Ex. 20:5) Jesus taught that the murderous tendencies of the Pharisees were a direct result of the blood guiltiness of their ancestors (Mt. 23:29-36). King David (Ps. 106:6-7), the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 14:20,21), and Nehemiah all expressed the reality and need for ancestral repentance to effectively stop these generational curses.
Actual sin is the sins and offenses that each of us commit in our own lifetime. The Bible teaches that we are responsible for our own actions and will be held accountable for how we live (Jer. 32:19; 2 Chr. 21:12-19; Num. 15:31, 32:23). We all reap what we sow. If we sow iniquity and wickedness we will reap the same (Job 4:8, 5:2, 20:11; Ps. 94:23, 141:10; Pr. 1:31, 5:22, 11:6; Ez. 11:21; Hos. 8:7, 10:13; Gal. 6:7).
THE RESULTS OF SIN
While physical death is the eventual result of original sin (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12) other sins can lead to immediate death (1 Jn. 5:16). The Bible plainly teaches that sickness and suffering are caused by sin (Jer. 5:25). “Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee…†(Jer. 4:18). Disobedience and sinful living invite disease and sickness into ones life (Lev. 26:15; 2 Chr. 26:16-21; Dan. 9:14). Our own choices and way of life determine our health. The Lord says “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both you and your seed may live†(Deut. 30:19). Hereditary diseases can be linked directly to the sins of our forefathers (2 Kin. 5:27) and can remain in the family for generations. A curse is a conditional punishment from God for willful acts of disobedience or sin—a recompense according to ones deeds (Deut. 30:1,15,19; Jer. 16:18, 25:14; Is. 65:6,7; Hos. 12:2; Ez. 7:3-9, 9:10, 11:21, 16:43; Ps. 107:17; Gal. 6:7). Curses or punishment for sin according to Deut. 28, can include:
1.Every kind of sickness (vs. 22, 61) and disease (vs. 22,27,60)
2.Physical ailments (heart, eyes, legs, etc. (vs. 28,35,65)
3.Mental disorders (vs. 28, 34)
4.Bad health and/or death (v. 66)
5.Plagues (v. 57)
6.Pestilences (vs. 21,24)
7.Poverty (vs. 20,29,48)
These disciplinary punishments are designed to reform us and strongly encourage us to be obedient to God’s divine laws (Lev. 26:15,23). If we continue to be stubborn and refuse correction we could bring even harsher curses upon ourselves until we are utterly brought to ruin (Lev. 26:24-39; Deut. 4:25,26; Pr. 13:13; 29:1) Our attitude toward God’s chastisement and discipline should be one of humble repentance. “I will not offend anymore…if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.†(Job 34:31-34) We should also submit to divine correction by seeking the Lord’s forgiveness and help (2 Sam. 16:12; Job 13:15; 1 Pet. 4:19, 5:7). As we accept the Lord’s discipline as a just recompense for our sins we should not complain (Lam. 3:39; Phil. 2:14) despise it (Pr. 3:11; Heb. 12:5) or allow it to disturb us (Jer. 10:19;
1 Thes. 3:3) We should endure our trials with patience and learn from our mistakes (Lu. 21:19; Rom. 5:3, 12:12; 2 Thes. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:20; Jam. 5:11, Pr. 3:11; Jn. 5:14, 8:11). Remember, sin blocks all the blessings of God, bringing only curses (Deut. 31:17; Job 13:24, 23:3; Jos. 7:12; 2 Chr. 24:20; Ps. 78:59, Is. 59:1, 64:7; Amos 3:3).
THE PROSECUTOR!
It is Satan who carries out God’s judgments against sin. Satan is like a clever and deceitful prosecuting attorney who tempts people to commit sin (Mt. 4:1) then accuses them of that sin before God (Rev. 12:10), getting permission from God to punish us for our sins by smiting us with sicknesses (Job 2:7) and physical ailments (Lk. 13:16). For certain sins Satan has permission and power to inflict with incurable diseases and death (1 Cor. 5:5; Heb. 2:14).
HEALING IS AVAILABLE!
The good news is that healing is available for all who are oppressed by the devil, through the Lord Jesus Christ! (Acts 10:38) Jesus is the great physician who can heal all sickness and disease and who can bring one to wholeness in spirit, mind and body! In the New Testament all who had faith in Christ and all those who asked for mercy were forgiven of their sins and healed. Today all true sanctified believers have been empowered and authorized to lay hands on any who are sick—and the promise is that they will recover (Mk. 16:18). No healing, however can be accomplished through false pastors or ministers (Ez. 34:1-4). The wicked are like the troubled sea which has no peace but continually casts up mire and dirt (Is. 57:20,21). God will heal and restore to health a wicked person or unbeliever after conversion (Jer. 30:17,20; Mt. 13:15; Acts 28:27).The Lord is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentanceâ€(2 Pet. 3:9) and turn away from their evil ways (Jonah 3:8-10; Deut. 28:20-22). The Bible plainly teaches that if backsliders want healing they must: return to the Lordïƒ confess their offensesïƒ entreat the Lord or seek His face for mercy and forgivenessïƒ turn away from their iniquity andïƒ receive their healing (Is. 19:22, 57:15-19; Jer. 3:22; Hos. 5:15, 6:1, 14:1-4; 2 Chr. 7:14; Ps. 6:2, 41:1-4).
Christian believers who are sick are to “call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 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.†(Jam. 5:14,15) Those who have the gift of healing imparted by the Holy Spirit can greatly benefit those who are sick (1 Cor. 12:9). If you are sick you should also seek out other Christians who can pray for your healing. Chastisement is designed to develop the holiness of Christ in each of us (Heb. 12:1-14; 1 Pet. 2:24).
By Bibleman
WHAT CAUSES SICKNESS AND DISEASE?
According to the word of God most sickness and disease is directly related to how we live. Sin is the primary cause of all sickness, disease, affliction and many physical ailments.
Original sin is the inherited fleshly sin nature which has been passed down from Adam to all of us and is the reason we all grow old and die (Gen. 3:16-19). From Adams disobedience we all reap the curse of spiritual death, sin, sickness and physical death. This inherited sin nature is a fallen nature or a spiritual death and is the reason we all need a Savior and why we must be spiritually re-born. “I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.†(Ps. 51:5) The “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked†because of our fallen nature.(Jer. 17:9) This is why we are in need of a Savior who can redeem us from this fallen nature and make us holy. (Tit. 2:14) Through the atoning work of Christ we are redeemed from the curse of a fallen nature, “that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.†(Gal. 3:13,14, 4:1-5; Rom. 8:23) This great redemption from the fall of Adam results in complete reconciliation to God and provides 1) spiritual rebirth (1 Pet. 1:23; Jn. 1:13; 1 Jn. 5:1,4,18) 2. the forgiveness of sin (Ep. 1:7) 3. the redemption of the body through the resurrection of Christ (Rom. 8:23) 4. healing for the physical body (Is. 53:5) and 5. deliverance and healing for the soul (Mt. 9:12,13)
Ancestral sin is the sins committed by our forefathers which are passed down to us (Ex. 34:7; Job 21:19; Jer. 32:18; 2 Kin. 5:27; Lam. 5:7). “Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.†(Lam. 5:7) “Thou…recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them…†(Jer. 32:18) The sins each of us commit today can have an adverse effect upon our children. These generational sins or curses can affect the children of those guilty of idolatry to the 3rd and 4th generations (Ex. 20:5) Jesus taught that the murderous tendencies of the Pharisees were a direct result of the blood guiltiness of their ancestors (Mt. 23:29-36). King David (Ps. 106:6-7), the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 14:20,21), and Nehemiah all expressed the reality and need for ancestral repentance to effectively stop these generational curses.
Actual sin is the sins and offenses that each of us commit in our own lifetime. The Bible teaches that we are responsible for our own actions and will be held accountable for how we live (Jer. 32:19; 2 Chr. 21:12-19; Num. 15:31, 32:23). We all reap what we sow. If we sow iniquity and wickedness we will reap the same (Job 4:8, 5:2, 20:11; Ps. 94:23, 141:10; Pr. 1:31, 5:22, 11:6; Ez. 11:21; Hos. 8:7, 10:13; Gal. 6:7).
THE RESULTS OF SIN
While physical death is the eventual result of original sin (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12) other sins can lead to immediate death (1 Jn. 5:16). The Bible plainly teaches that sickness and suffering are caused by sin (Jer. 5:25). “Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee…†(Jer. 4:18). Disobedience and sinful living invite disease and sickness into ones life (Lev. 26:15; 2 Chr. 26:16-21; Dan. 9:14). Our own choices and way of life determine our health. The Lord says “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both you and your seed may live†(Deut. 30:19). Hereditary diseases can be linked directly to the sins of our forefathers (2 Kin. 5:27) and can remain in the family for generations. A curse is a conditional punishment from God for willful acts of disobedience or sin—a recompense according to ones deeds (Deut. 30:1,15,19; Jer. 16:18, 25:14; Is. 65:6,7; Hos. 12:2; Ez. 7:3-9, 9:10, 11:21, 16:43; Ps. 107:17; Gal. 6:7). Curses or punishment for sin according to Deut. 28, can include:
1.Every kind of sickness (vs. 22, 61) and disease (vs. 22,27,60)
2.Physical ailments (heart, eyes, legs, etc. (vs. 28,35,65)
3.Mental disorders (vs. 28, 34)
4.Bad health and/or death (v. 66)
5.Plagues (v. 57)
6.Pestilences (vs. 21,24)
7.Poverty (vs. 20,29,48)
These disciplinary punishments are designed to reform us and strongly encourage us to be obedient to God’s divine laws (Lev. 26:15,23). If we continue to be stubborn and refuse correction we could bring even harsher curses upon ourselves until we are utterly brought to ruin (Lev. 26:24-39; Deut. 4:25,26; Pr. 13:13; 29:1) Our attitude toward God’s chastisement and discipline should be one of humble repentance. “I will not offend anymore…if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.†(Job 34:31-34) We should also submit to divine correction by seeking the Lord’s forgiveness and help (2 Sam. 16:12; Job 13:15; 1 Pet. 4:19, 5:7). As we accept the Lord’s discipline as a just recompense for our sins we should not complain (Lam. 3:39; Phil. 2:14) despise it (Pr. 3:11; Heb. 12:5) or allow it to disturb us (Jer. 10:19;
1 Thes. 3:3) We should endure our trials with patience and learn from our mistakes (Lu. 21:19; Rom. 5:3, 12:12; 2 Thes. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:20; Jam. 5:11, Pr. 3:11; Jn. 5:14, 8:11). Remember, sin blocks all the blessings of God, bringing only curses (Deut. 31:17; Job 13:24, 23:3; Jos. 7:12; 2 Chr. 24:20; Ps. 78:59, Is. 59:1, 64:7; Amos 3:3).
THE PROSECUTOR!
It is Satan who carries out God’s judgments against sin. Satan is like a clever and deceitful prosecuting attorney who tempts people to commit sin (Mt. 4:1) then accuses them of that sin before God (Rev. 12:10), getting permission from God to punish us for our sins by smiting us with sicknesses (Job 2:7) and physical ailments (Lk. 13:16). For certain sins Satan has permission and power to inflict with incurable diseases and death (1 Cor. 5:5; Heb. 2:14).
HEALING IS AVAILABLE!
The good news is that healing is available for all who are oppressed by the devil, through the Lord Jesus Christ! (Acts 10:38) Jesus is the great physician who can heal all sickness and disease and who can bring one to wholeness in spirit, mind and body! In the New Testament all who had faith in Christ and all those who asked for mercy were forgiven of their sins and healed. Today all true sanctified believers have been empowered and authorized to lay hands on any who are sick—and the promise is that they will recover (Mk. 16:18). No healing, however can be accomplished through false pastors or ministers (Ez. 34:1-4). The wicked are like the troubled sea which has no peace but continually casts up mire and dirt (Is. 57:20,21). God will heal and restore to health a wicked person or unbeliever after conversion (Jer. 30:17,20; Mt. 13:15; Acts 28:27).The Lord is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentanceâ€(2 Pet. 3:9) and turn away from their evil ways (Jonah 3:8-10; Deut. 28:20-22). The Bible plainly teaches that if backsliders want healing they must: return to the Lordïƒ confess their offensesïƒ entreat the Lord or seek His face for mercy and forgivenessïƒ turn away from their iniquity andïƒ receive their healing (Is. 19:22, 57:15-19; Jer. 3:22; Hos. 5:15, 6:1, 14:1-4; 2 Chr. 7:14; Ps. 6:2, 41:1-4).
Christian believers who are sick are to “call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 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.†(Jam. 5:14,15) Those who have the gift of healing imparted by the Holy Spirit can greatly benefit those who are sick (1 Cor. 12:9). If you are sick you should also seek out other Christians who can pray for your healing. Chastisement is designed to develop the holiness of Christ in each of us (Heb. 12:1-14; 1 Pet. 2:24).
