One of the most common misinterpretations of scripture is found in Hebrews 12:6-8. This talks about chastening and so many Christians interpret this to mean that God is punishing us with sickness and disease. This scripture does not say, “Whom the Lord loves He makes sick.”
The chastening of the Lord is accomplished with the Word of God, not with a rod of sickness. The word “chasten” in this context is from the Greek meaning, “instruct, train, disciple, teach, or educate.” This is similar to a teacher/student relationship. When a parent trains a child, does he or she give their child something that will cause them to be sick, so that they will learn something? Of course not! So why would God, as our Father, inflict us with cancer or blindness or some other awful disease? The fact is - He doesn’t. But many churches today teach this ridiculous and deadly tradition, while they are the first to stand in line at the doctor’s office, hoping for a cure for whatever ails them.
God is used as a scapegoat so often when it comes to sickness and disease. We have been indoctrinated to believe that “all things” come from God, including sickness, when in fact, the Bible says that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” The last time I checked, sickness and disease are not perfect gifts…
I had a counseling client one time who was very ill and blamed all of her problems on God. When we dug deeply into her life to see what was going on, it became very clear to me what the problems were. Her diet was atrocious, she was on ten different medications, she never exercised, and the biggest culprit in the downfall of her health was her mouth. Her words were of death, gloom and doom, and her life became a product of the ship she was steering with her words.
The first steps in helping this woman were to teach her the truth about God, to stop blaming Him and to start seeking Him as her Healer. After about six months of intense counseling and coaching, her health started to turn around and she pulled out of that condition and began to live a healthy, productive life again.
We need to remember the truth that says that God is our Healer and desires more than anything that all of our diseases be healed. When Jesus ministered to people He never inflicted anyone with sickness nor did He tell anyone to keep it in order to teach them something. He healed all who came to Him in faith. All! So if you are blaming God for your problems and believe He is punishing you, change your mindset…renew your mind to the Word of God and seek His truth diligently. God is not your problem - He is your answer!
He is the one who forgives all your sins, the one who heals all your diseases. (Ps. 103:3)
Copyright © Words to Heart Ministries, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Kimberly Lemler is the founder of Words To Heart Ministries. She is a pastor/teacher, newspaper columnist, entrepreneur, and author.
