The relationship between sin and sickness
The Bible shows us that sickness and adversity doesn't always happen because of a mistake or by chance.
Sin can result in sickness
One time, Jesus healed a man who had an infirmity for 38 years. After healing the man, Jesus gave him the following advice: See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you. [1] Through this example, Jesus teaches us that sometimes sin results in sickness.
Because of this, we should consider whether we have sinned when we pray for our own healing. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. [2]
Ancestral sin
Sickness and adversity can happen because our parents have sinned. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. [3]
We may also be affected by the collective sin of the city or country we live in. [4]
Sickness not always the result of sin
In another place, Jesus shows us that sometimes adversity is not because of sin. Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." [5]
It is wrong to assume people who die in horrific accidents are worse than anyone else. Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” [6]
Righteousness and health
On a more positive note, not only are sin and sickness related, but there is also a relationship between righteousness and health. He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” [7]