Sickness Among the Saints

Are you feeling sick today? Symptoms vary when our physical bodies are beginning to be assaulted by some type of illness. We may have a fever, or experience a runny nose or congestion. We may detect a rash or headache or even shortness of breath. These symptoms tell us that something is wrong and we may be coming down with some type of sickness. A nurse or physician can help us determine what is wrong and prescribe a plan for treatment.

Not only are we susceptible to physical illness, the Bible cautions us about various spiritual sicknesses we need to avoid. In Hebrews we are told: “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Heb. 12:12). These weak arms and feeble knees refer to spiritual weakness that has overtaken us. Sometimes we get so weary and tired on the path. It could come as a result of opposition, or perhaps we have been carrying a heavy load for a long time. Don’t let this weariness cause you to quit, strengthen those feeble knees.

Another sickness that is found among the saints is a condition called: “dull of hearing”. Heb. 5:11 diagnoses some of the believers with these words: “Of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing”. Dull of hearing is a condition often found among God’s people. It comes when we have heard the truth of the Word of God often but have not obeyed its teaching. When we don’t strive to practice the Word of the Lord our ears no longer are sensitive to the Lord speaking through it. May our ears always be tuned to our Master’s voice.

A third sickness we need to do our best to avoid is a cold heart. The church in Ephesus was a faithful church that held fast to the right doctrine. However they had a condition that has often been diagnosed among the saints. Jesus speaks in Rev. 2:4: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love”. Their fire of love for Jesus had grown cold. Jesus however gave them a powerful prescription for this cold heart when He said remember, repent, and return to the first works.

Are you spiritually sick today? Be sure to make an appointment with the Great Physician.