DCLM Higher Everyday 19 January 2024 — Sin Does Not Cause All Sicknesses
Topic: Sin Does Not Cause All Sicknesses
Text: John 5:6-14
6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Key Verse: “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14)
Message
Does sin alone cause sickness? No. While Gehazi, the young lad that served Prophet Elisha, became leprous because of sin, Elisha’s sickness had nothing to do with sin. A man sick of palsy was brought to Jesus by his friends for healing. Before healing him, Jesus first dealt with the root cause of his affliction (Mark 2:1-5). He forgave him his sin.
The message of the Lord Jesus in the text is that sin is the major cause of sicknesses in the world. Ignorance, carelessness, lack of hygienic living, malnutrition, etc., also cause sicknesses. However, living in sin is an invitation to sicknesses. Incurable diseases like HIV/AIDS, venereal diseases and demonic afflictions have been mostly linked to the sin of immorality. A child of God that goes into lusting, masturbation or fornication will suffer affliction from the devil. For this reason, Jesus warned the delivered young man to stay away from sin lest he suffered the worse. Are you into boy-friend and girl-friend relationship? Are you indulging in secret sin? Repent now! Otherwise, the enemy will afflict you with sicknesses.
Quote: Sin is the major cause of sicknesses
Challenge: Stay away from sin.
Prayer for today: Lord, deliver me from all sins.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
