Understanding the Source of Sickness

(by Dr. Larry Ollison)

Once a man told my wife he was sick and he knew God had made him that way. His reasoning was this-he said God had given him stomach problems so he wouldn't eat too much and gain weight. He reasoned if he gained weight, he would develop a heart problem and could die. So, in order to keep from dying of a heart problem, he reasoned, God had made him sick so he couldn't eat and get fat.

This may sound strange, but unfortunately, many Christians believe that God makes them sick for a purpose.

It is true that God can and will cause all things to work together for good for those who love Him and who seek Him by the Spirit. The Bible tells us that in Romans 8:28. However, God's Word does not say that God causes bad things. It simply says He causes them to work together for good for those who love Him and those who are the called according to His purpose.

We must understand the root sources of healing and sickness. The One who heals us does not make us sick and the one who makes us sick does not make us well. We must discern right thinking from wrong thinking. We must quit blaming God for the works of Satan.

Let's examine the truth. What does the Bible say about God's view of sickness? 

In Psalm 103:3 it says that He is the One "Who heals all your diseases."

Matthew 4:23,24 says, "Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them."

Matthew 8:16 tells us, "When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick."

Then, in Matthew 9:35 it says, "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."

Matthew 10:1 also tells us, "When He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease."

Matthew 12:15 we're told, "When Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all."

Again, in Matthew 19:2 it says, "Great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there."

Everywhere Jesus went, He healed people. Remember what He said in John 5. Jesus said that He didn't do anything unless God His Father instructed Him to. (vv.19,30-31.) So, what does that tell us about God? It tells us that He wants us well and He wants to heal us.

Jesus said He came to earth to destroy the works of the devil and that He said in John 10:10, "The thief 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." 

The devil is the thief who steals health, kills bodies, and destroys life with sickness. Jesus is the one who gives life.