1st. God allows sickness because of the Fall (the world is broken). We get sick because we live in a world damaged by sin.
Genesis 3:17 – “Cursed is the ground for thy sake…”
Romans 5:12 – “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin…”
Romans 8:22 – “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
Sickness is part of the curse on creation — not necessarily tied to personal wrongdoing.
2nd. Sickness sometimes caused by personal sin. Scripture shows cases where God directly connects sickness to sin — but warns us not to assume this is always the case.
Psalm 38:3 – “There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger…”
John 5:14 – “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”
1 Corinthians 11:30 – “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you…”
Sometimes sickness is divine discipline — but not automatically.
3rd. Sickness as testing, refining, or spiritual development. God may use sickness to deepen faith, humility, dependence, or endurance.
Job 2:7 – “So went Satan forth… and smote Job with sore boils…”
Job 23:10 – “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
James 1:2–4 – “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
Sickness can be a furnace that produces spiritual gold.
4th. Sickness for the glory of God. Some sickness exists so God can reveal His power, compassion, and works.
John 9:3 – “Neither hath this man sinned… but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”
John 11:4 – “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God…”
Mark 2:10–12 – Healing used to reveal Christ’s authority.
God sometimes allows sickness to showcase His glory through healing, mercy, or testimony.
5th. Sickness as an opportunity for prayer, faith, and community care. God uses sickness to draw believers into prayer, unity, and dependence on Him.
James 5:14–15 – “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders…”
Psalm 41:3 – “The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing…”
Philippians 2:27 – God had mercy on Epaphroditus in sickness.
Sickness becomes a place where God’s compassion and the church’s love are displayed.
6th. Sickness from spiritual attack. Scripture shows Satan can afflict the body — but only with God’s permission.
Job 2:7 – Satan smote Job with boils.
Luke 13:11,16 – A woman “whom Satan hath bound” with infirmity.
2 Corinthians 12:7 – “A thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan…”
Spiritual warfare can involve physical affliction, but God sets the limits.
A BRIEF SUMMARY:
We become sick because:
The world is fallen (Genesis 3; Romans
.Sometimes personal sin (1 Corinthians 11).
Sometimes testing/refinement (Job; James 1).
Sometimes for God’s glory (John 9; John 11).
Sometimes to draw us into prayer and community (James 5).
Sometimes spiritual attack (Job 2; Luke 13
Scripture gives a balanced view:
Sickness is real, painful, and part of a broken world — but God is present, purposeful, and compassionate in every case.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS DEEP STUDY.
DID YOU FIND THIS DEEP STUDY TO BE TOO LENGTHY FOR YOU?
PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
Youtube.com/@andrahigginbotham 8096