Tag: sickness
Sexual Conduct and Disease
Scripture reading for September 28: Proverbs 5:7-14 “And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to hear my instructors. I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.””
Hebrews 13:4 “Let the marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
When we discuss health and how to live a healthy lifestyle in light of God’s instructions to His children, we must not avoid the issue of sexual conduct and the consequences of those sins related to what God considers sinful sexual conduct. Solomon, in Proverbs, warns his sons about dangerous sexual conduct. He tells them to stay away from the door of the adulterous or promiscuous woman. If they go into her, they will reap trouble, a bad reputation and sickness and disease that will consume their flesh. There will be suffering and great regret. The forbidden fruit that looked so good ends in suffering, bitterness and ruin among the congregation of God’s people as it is exposed.
In God’s kingdom, He has blessed marriage between a man and a woman and called it sacred. Marriage should be held in honor and sexual conduct between a husband and wife is blessed and to be protected. God has ordained that He would use marriage to form eternal souls designed to live with Him eternally. When we violate the marriage covenant by sexual immorality, God takes note and promises to judge the adulterer or any person who is sexually immoral. Sexual activity outside of marriage is considered ‘immoral’, meaning that it not proper conduct for God’s children. The good news is that God forgives sin when we repent and turn away from it towards Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for marriage as You ordained it. Turn our hearts to honor marriage and keep the marriage bed undefiled. Heal our rebellion and deliver us from evil. Amen.
Jesus’ view of demons
Scripture reading for January 10: Matthew 8
“And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him. That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a Word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”” Matthew 8:14-17
Our world works to try and explain everything naturally or scientifically. We are told sickness is the result of an infection or virus or failure in our immune system. Oppression and depression are treated with chemicals to raise our moods. Counseling or therapy seeks to deal with hidden past experiences or suppressed emotions. We have so called ‘experts’ in treating each disorder and believe that human ingenuity and medicine can overcome most things.
But Jesus Christ saw the world differently and brought a different approach to dealing with sickness, disease, and oppression. He recognized the spirit world and demons as real but under His authority. He reached out to touch those who were sick and His touch released them from the sickness. Peter’s mother-in-law was instantly healed of a fever and rose to serve Jesus and His disciples. This revelation motivated others who were hurting or had loved ones in distress to bring them to Jesus. The Scripture records Jesus healing them all and casting out demons by His command. He showed that He had authority over sickness and demons who would oppress men or women made in God’s image. This was foretold by Isaiah the prophet some seven hundred years before. (Isaiah 53:4)
What is your normal approach to sickness or disease or depression? Do you go to ‘experts’ first for help? Are you aware of Jesus’ approach and Scriptures that detail our authority and privilege to ask for healing and deliverance? Is there any change you should make to your world-view regarding these issues?
Prayer: Father, I am thankful that Jesus came and revealed Your heart towards those suffering with disease, sickness and oppression. Help me to overcome my natural tendencies to deal with everything my way or just as ‘experts’ tell me. Open my eyes to Your Word and authority in Jesus’ Name. Amen.