We fall sick and go into treatment. Some sickness get cured with treatment, while some not. While some get healed by prayer. According to the bible, the
cause of sickness can be divided into three categories:
falling sick due to sin;
falling sick naturally; and
falling sick afflicted by the devil or as a consequence of trials. Once we understand the nature of the cause, it becomes easier to get the relief.
FALLING SICK AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SIN
We read in
James 5: 15 “if he has committed sin, they shall be forgiven to him.” In the fore-lines here, we read
“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up”. From this we understand, the cause of his sickness is “sin”. The sin in him, or the sin he committed, brought him sickness. Lord chasten a person when he commits sin and scourge every son whom he loves, and whom he receives (
Heb 12: 6, 7). Like a father chastise his son for
disobedience (
Proverb 3: 12). Let us see it again: if he has committed sin, they shall be forgiven (
James 5:15).
The sin causing sickness has to be forgiven. Means, we have to
examine ourselves before the Lord as to which sin in us stands against us before Him. Sins are forgiven by the Lord when they are confessed before him (
1 John 1:9). Until forgiven, its unrighteousness remains against us. So, confess sins before the Lord. Naturally, for the sins against men, we have to get reconciled with them as well (
Mt 5: 23, 24). Lord forgives the sin, cleanses us, and heals us. (
James 5: 15). Amen, Praise the Lord!
In
Mark 2: 5 we find the 4 men who brought the palsy on cot had faith in Jesus. But the palsy had sins in him unforgiven. Jesus forgives his sins and he is healed.
Caution: The ones praying for the sick, must first confess their own sins before the Lord, and must get forgiven/cleansed (
James 5: 16). He must as well have “faith” for the sick to be healed.
Again by hearing, one should understand in heart, by seeing, one should perceive and convert, for Lord to heal (
Mt 13: 15).
FALLING SICK NATURALLY
Hezekiah fell sick. God sent Isaiah (
2 kings 20), notified him of his coming death and asked him to organize his home affairs. Hearing this Hezekiah turned to the wall and wept asking the the Lord to remember him, his deeds and his faithfulness in carrying out God’s directives. Almighty acknowledged it and sent back Prophet Isaiah, who told him that God has heard his prayer, and extended his life for another 15 years. Isaiah then asked the King to apply a medical dressing of fig upon his boil and he recovered (
2 Kings 20:1-7; Pr 17:22; John 9: 6-7, 11). This would relate to treatment. Healing of the blind can also be cited as miracle.
FALLING SICK – AFFLICTED BY THE DEVIL OR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF TRIAL
In book of Job, we find Lord allowed Satan to test Job. Satan afflicted Job with boils upon his body. This illness was not due to sin or Job’s natural bodily condition (
Job 2: 4-5). Such ailments won’t heal with treatments. Job suffered until Lord changed his condition (
Job 42: 10). It was a test – Job came out victorious. God healed him and blessed him by compensating all his losses.
There are diseases inflicted by the devil. Such inflictions are healed by the act of the Holy Spirit through hearing the preached gospel of Jesus Christ. Evil spirit’s power is smashed by the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit. Treatment won’t help here. (
Mt 4: 23; Luke 4:18; 19; Mt 12: 28)
Note: This posting is adopted word for word (in most case) from one of the article my father wrote for my private reading.
