Is Sin Really the Root of All Sickness and Disease?

The threefold connection between sin and sickness

The answer to this question is simple. There IS a connection between sin and illness. A big one. Well, actually, three. And we don’t have to read very far in the Bible to discover the first. 

This article will help you assess if sin could be the root of your illness. It is Principle 2 of the Ultimate Health Checklist: Reject Sin.

If you haven’t yet downloaded the Checklist, you can do that here:

The Ultimate Health Checklist

Taboo Topic

Very few people want to talk about sin these days. It’s a “no touch” subject in many circles — especially when relating to health. 

Yet…the Bible talks about it a lot. 

And we definitely don’t want to go around pointing fingers at anyone, especially if they’re sick.

That’s what Job’s friends did. And it didn’t please God one bit.

Not all sickness is a direct result of individual sin. Consider the story of the man born blind. His blindness was not a result of his or his parent's sin. Learn about the actual cause here.

So, how do we handle this touchy topic of the sin/sickness connection?

Look to the Bible, of course.

Let’s begin at the beginning.

Connection #1: The Nature of Sin

The first sin/sickness connection appears in the first three chapters of Genesis. 

God created the world without sin and declared it was "very good" in Chapter One.

But something happened in Chapter Three that forever changed the course of humankind: sin entered the world.

The result?

Death!

God had created Adam and Eve to live forever; now, they would surely die.

Along with death came sickness and disease. And the earth came under a curse.

So, there is a foundational reality that ALL sickness, disease, and death are a result of sin.

The Sin Solution

God planned to redeem the earth through His son, Jesus Christ, whose entrance into the world began the curse's reversal. God demonstrated this by what Jesus accomplished on earth:

• Forgiving sin;

• Healing the sick and diseased; and

• Becoming a curse for us on the cross.

One day, at the Second Advent, God will completely destroy the curse, and there will be no more sin, sickness, and death. 

It is His death and resurrection that ensures believers access into this ETERNAL state of wellness — through faith.

In all our striving for good health, it means nothing if we lose our soul.

Therefore, the first step towards true healing is to trust Christ as Saviour. Then, truly, we will never die but only live forever.

Connection #2: The Natural Consequences of Sin

We must also recognize that there are natural consequences to breaking God's good laws (i.e., sinning).

These natural consequences can affect many things, including our health. Here are some specific examples:

• Drunkenness leads to liver failure (learn additional health problems resulting from drunkenness).

• Fornication leads to sexually transmitted diseases (learn which effects don't show up until 30 years later).

• Anxiety leads to many health-related ailments (learn why here).

The Solution: Obedience and Faith

We must turn away from sin and follow God’s good ways. None of His laws exist because He wants to be a spoilsport. In truth, God desires our good always and our survival (Duet. 6:24). Which is why He revealed His good ways to us.

Christ Reigns as King of the World Lyrics

We must follow them as He commanded (Matthew 28:20).

Connection #3: The Supernatural Consequences of Sin

Yes, generally, sickness is a result of sin. And, yes, there are natural consequences to sin. But sometimes, there are SUPERnatural consequences as well. It is a frightful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. 

Here are three classes of supernatural sickness: