Flying Closer to the Flame Part 9-2

Flying Closer to the FlameStudy Nine: A Theological Perspective on Sickness and Healing

Sickness is a deeply personal and often painful experience. 

Whether you or a loved one is suffering, bring your questions and burdens before the Lord. 

He invites us to cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Turning to the Scriptures

In Genesis 1–2, God created humanity in His image, free from sin and its consequences. 

However, in Genesis 3, Adam and Eve’s disobedience brought sin into the world, along with sickness and death (Genesis 3:1–24). 

Tonight we will examine how sin, sickness, and healing are interconnected through Scripture.

Observation: Foundational Verses

Sin

In Romans 5:12, Paul describes sin entering the world through Adam, bringing death to all. 

12 “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—”

What do you observe about the connection between Adam’s sin and humanity’s fallen state?

First Corinthians 15:21–22 contrasts life “in Adam” with life “in Christ.” 

21 “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

What truth does this passage reveal?

Sickness

Psalm 32:3–5 reveals how David’s sin affected him physically. 

3 “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

    through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

    my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you,

    and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”,

    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

What does this teach about the relationship between sin and sickness?

In John 9:1–3, the disciples assumed a man’s blindness resulted from sin. How did Jesus correct their assumption?

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 

2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 

3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Healing

Acts 28:8 records Paul healing Publius’ father. 

Yet in 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul left Trophimus sick. 

Why might there be a difference in these situations?

In 2 Corinthians 12:7–9, Paul sought healing but received God’s sustaining grace instead. 

How does this shape our understanding of divine healing?

Reflecting on these passages, what stands out to you the most?

“I believe in divine healing. I simply don’t believe in divine healers. I don’t think I’ve ever ministered to more disillusioned people than those who had been promised healing by a healer and were not healed.” —Chuck Swindoll

Interpretation: Theological Truths

Two Types of Sin: Original and Personal

Romans 5:12 and 1 Corinthians 15:21 describe original sin’s impact on humanity. 

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

How did Adam’s sin introduce sickness and death to the world?

“The graveyards are full of tombstones related to the fall of Adam. Had there never been original sin, how wonderful life could have been. Yet sin continues to pollute the human race.” —Chuck Swindoll

Personal sin can lead to physical consequences, as seen in Psalm 32:3–5 and 1 Corinthians 11:29–30. 

How might personal sin contribute to physical suffering?

Not All Suffering Is Due to Personal Sin

Jesus refuted the disciples' assumptions in John 9:3. 

What does this teach about making judgments concerning others’ suffering? Not all sickness etc is the result of sin…we cannot tell all from an outward glance…

“Jesus’ heart is moved by your pain. He grieves with you over the length of your depression. He sits beside you in the hospital room. He is touched with feelings of sympathy for you in your weakness.” —Chuck Swindoll

Healing is Subject to God’s Will

Paul’s experience (2 Corinthians 12:7–9; 2 Timothy 4:20) teaches that healing is not always God’s plan. 

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus.

How should we seek healing while submitting to God’s will?

Other times, God does heal (Acts 28:8; Matthew 4:23–25). 

What is the purpose of divine healing in Scripture? God’s Glory/revelation

“Be careful what you promise a person who is sick. God does not forsake us. He is with us during the hardest times, but His presence is not always a promise of healing.” —Chuck Swindoll

Correlation: By His Wounds We Are Healed

Some teach that Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:21–24 promise physical healing for all believers. 

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions;

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

    and with his stripes we are healed.

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 

22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 

23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Read these passages carefully—what type of healing is being described?

Does Christ’s atonement guarantee immediate physical healing, or is ultimate healing fulfilled in eternity?

How would you respond to those who say unconfessed sin or lack of faith are the only barriers to healing?

“How anxious we are for relief from pain, ideally, instant relief! But how necessary is the period of waiting, in which we become wiser and deeper and in which humility has a chance to grow!” —Chuck Swindoll

Application: Responding to Sickness

The mystery of why God heals some and not others belongs to Him alone. 

Our response should be one of faith, trusting in His wisdom and resting in His sovereign plan.

James 5:13–16 offers practical steps for those who are sick, which we’ll explore in our next study.

Paul’s example in 2 Corinthians 12:7–9 encourages us to pray for healing while embracing God’s grace.

God may not always heal, but He always sustains. 

How can Christ’s power work through your weakness today?

“God may not answer all our questions, but He does meet our deepest needs.”