There is a link between the law of sin and death (ref. Romans 8:2) and sickness and disease. As we begin, note that the Bible clearly teaches that everything God created is good. Actually God said it is very good (Genesis 1:31). Sickness and disease are not “good” and definitely not “very good.” Sickness in mild form is a thief stealing our comfort, joy and finances. In severe forms sickness leads to destruction of life and physical death. Sickness is not of God.

Sickness and disease are forms of insidious death. They find their roots in sin and sin finds its origin in the works of the devil. Jesus pointed to the author of sickness when he referred to the devil and said, “…(he) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Acts 10:38 also points out that the devil is the parent of sickness when it talks about “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

Satan is the author of sin, sin brings forth death (ref. James 1:15) and sickness and disease are forms of insidious death. They are forms of death treacherously lying in wait, advancing imperceptibly and bringing destruction by degrees. 1 John 3:8 states, “…the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”  Jesus did precisely that. He healed and made whole those who were being destroyed by the working of the devil through sickness and disease. In His lifetime He healed all and everyone who came to Him.

Now don’t be mislead. If you are sick today, it does not necessarily mean that you are sick because you committed some specific personal sin or even a collection of sins. It does not mean that you are necessarily more sinful than someone who is in good health. What it does mean is that the origin of all sickness and disease, if you trace it all the way back in time, is not with God. Sickness and disease find their origin in the works of the devil regardless of whose body or mind it is in.

We live in a fallen world and in some cases sickness is passed down from generation to generation and into our lives. In other cases it is set free in our environment to come upon people randomly. Sometimes sickness comes because we ourselves abuse God’s natural laws of eating, sleeping and exercise. Other sicknesses come about because contaminants pollute our air, food and water resources. There are, however, also some sicknesses which do link to specific sins that people commit like abusing alcohol, drugs or engaging in immoral behavior leading to diseases like Aids.  Regardless of how a sickness comes upon a person, in a very general and basic way, sickness and disease are linked to the law of sin and death.

When we consider the root connection between sin and sickness, a simple question arises. What is this thing called “sin” that has such a disastrous effect on people? There is no simple answer: however, some ways people describe sin is that it is disobedience toward God; the breaking of God’s law, not keeping God’s Word, violating God’s will and acts of rebellion against God. All of these definitions could be elaborated on, but a plain and simple definition is that sin is anything that separates us from God and His purposes. Sin causes separation in our relationship with God and that separation at some level can lead to and contribute toward spiritual death.

No matter how great or small a person thinks a sin is, in some form it bears spiritual death. Every sin, even the ones people think are little and harmless, are very lethal. They all play a role in the negative effects of the law of sin and death. In our next devotional study we will observe God’s counteraction against sin, sickness and disease. The awesome role of Jesus our Healer will be our focus. Be blessed.