Beech Tree News Network

Sickness touches all of our lives, whether one fights colds or the “flu bug” or something worse. Folks strive daily to overcome these diseases as best they can. Illness, disease, and finally death has not come from God, but is a consequence of sin (Gen. 3:16-19). Thus, we deal with these problems daily. Whether we are the ones suffering, or we are the care-givers to those who have the problem, we have to deal with illnesses almost daily.

I find it more than a coincidence that the Bible makes a comparison to physical and spiritual illness on several occasions. When speaking about the sins of the nation of Israel, God compared their sins to someone stricken with a grave illness. He said, “Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment” (Isa. 1:5-6). Similar descriptions are given by David when he referred to the sins in his life and said his “wounds stink and are corrupt” (Ps. 38:3-5). Hosea (Hosea 5:12-13) and others said similar things when comparing illness or disease to sin in their lives.

Jesus also used this imagery when describing the sin of the people. When Jesus was criticized for associating with the publicans and harlots, He responded, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mk. 2:17). Notice how the Lord equates physical illness with spiritual problems. Jesus called some “blind” due to their rebellion against the truth (Matt. 23:16-17; Jn. 9:40-41). In Matthew 9, when Jesus healed the paralyzed man who had been lowered into the room by his friends, Christ equated healing the physically ill with the spiritually ill so that folks understood He has the power to forgive man’s sin (Matt. 9:6). Whether one is physically, or spiritually sick, Jesus said these folks needed a “physician”! In this case, the spiritually sick needed Jesus. He was exactly where He needed to be!

While we cannot always control the physical illnesses, the bacteria, and viruses that enter our bodies, we can control the lusts, and sinful behavior that can enter our minds! We control this by being “sober” and “vigilant” (I Pet. 5:8). We control this by thinking on the right things (Phil. 4:8) and then acting on that truth (Phil. 4:9)! We can control our thoughts, and thus control our speech (Jas. 3)! We do this by resisting the devil and not yielding to temptation (Jas. 4:7)! This is a necessary thing, for sin has far worse consequences than any physical illness (Jn. 8:24; Rev. 21:8; Matt. 25:41)!

The next time we are caring for those who are ill, or when we are ill ourselves, let us remember the origins of illness. Let us also take the time to examine our souls, and make sure we are not spiritually ill (II Cor. 13:5)! If we are spiritually sick, then go to the Great “physician” (Lk. 5:31) and get the healing that can only come from the blood of Christ, the grace of God, and the obedience He expects from each of us (Titus 2:11-12; Mk. 16:16; Matt. 26:28; Acts 2:38)!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167