Part B: Sickness by Violating God’s Design

We can become sick because we violate God’s design in how we live or eat.

This can occur through neglect or ignorance. We can violate God’s design by willfully participating or not participating in actions that can harm or improve our health. Or we can violate God’s design simply because we don’t know what His design is.

Violating Foods

One example is the foods we eat. Perhaps we know that eating fast food on a regular basis is not good for our health, yet we do it anyway. This would be an example of neglect.

On the other hand, we may not be aware that white bread is poisonous, so we eat gladly. This is an example of ignorance.

Whether we eat neglectfully or ignorantly, we can have the same result: poor health.

Consider II Kings 4:38-41. The men in this passage made a stew. They had no knowledge that it was poisonous. Before they ate, they recognized that there was “death in the pot,” and Elisha made it edible. Many times the food we eat is nothing more than “death in the pot,” but we eat it without thought.

Sometimes the food we eat is not even worthy to be called food, but unfortunately we still eat it. We will suffer in our bodies the consequences of eating poisonous foods, even if the poison produces only a slow death.

Sexual Sin

Another example of how we can become sick by violating God’s design is through the consequences of sexual sin.

Consider the following passages:

Romans 1:26-27  clearly states that there is a penalty received in the body for exchanging the “natural” with the “unnatural”. This physical penalty could very well be sexually transmitted disease, including, but not limited to AIDS.

I Corinthians 6:18 calls immorality  a “sin” against the body. The result of immorality? Sexually transmitted disease is a high probability. There may be other effects on the body that we don’t even know about.  Immorality is definitely a violation of God’s design for intimacy.

General Violations

Aside from the above specific principles, there is a general all inclusive principle known as “reaping what you sow.”

Galatians 6:7-8 teaches that whatever we do, whether good or bad, we will reap the appropriate reward. If we fail to understand and follow God’s general design for living, we will reap the negative consequences in our life. On the flip side, if we learn to live under God’s design, we will also reap the benefits.

Topics that could be included under this heading are exercise, drug use or abuse, alcoholism, attitudes, sunshine, cleanliness, and so on.

We are getting close to wrapping up the seven biblical reasons for illness. We have talked a lot so far about “living under God’s design.” In future articles, we will be sharing specific ways to live purposely under God’s design.

Next: Why Am I Sick? Seven Biblical Reasons: Conclusion

Return To: Biblical Health Study

Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
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