This is an interesting and important question. Often, when people become sick or experience affliction, they are tempted to believe that it is the will of God for them to suffer. But is that what the Bible teaches?
Let us examine the Scriptures carefully.
1. Satan was the one who afflicted Job.
In Job 2:3, we read:
“Although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” (Job 2:3, NIV)
Here, God is speaking to Satan. This verse tells us that Satan had challenged Job's integrity and that the suffering came about in the context of Satan's attack against him.
Now look at Job 2:7:
“So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.” (Job 2:7, NIV)
Notice what the Bible clearly says: Satan afflicted Job with painful sores. The passage identifies Satan as the direct agent of Job's physical affliction.
2. God is not the author of temptation or evil.
James makes this clear in the first chapter of his letter.
James 1:13 says:
“For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” (NIV)
And James 1:17 declares:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” (NIV)
These verses teach us that God is not the source of evil or temptation. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.
For example, imagine that my teenage son asks me for permission to attend a party tonight, and I initially say no. However, he keeps persuading me, promising that he will return home by 10 p.m. and explaining that all his friends are going to the party. After repeatedly asking and making promises, he finally persuades me to give him permission.
Although I have given him permission, it was not my original will or desire. I permitted it only after his persistent persuasion. In other words, it was my permission, but not my will.
In the same way, we can understand the issue of sickness from a spiritual perspective: sickness is not God's original will or desire for His children, but it can be understood as a consequence of Satan's persistent influence and persuasion. Just as my son may persuade me to permit something that I do not originally desire, Satan seeks to influence people and bring about things that are contrary to God's will.
3. Satan comes to destroy, but Jesus came to give life.
Jesus said in John 10:10:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV)
The thief is associated with stealing, killing, and destruction, whereas Jesus reveals His purpose of bringing life in its fullness.
We must therefore be careful not to attribute every work of destruction to God.
4. Jesus went about healing those oppressed by the devil.
Acts 10:38 says:
“He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” (NIV)
This verse shows us the ministry of Jesus: He did good and healed those who were oppressed by the devil.
In conclusion, was it God's will for Job to suffer? The Book of Job reveals a complex situation in which Satan challenged Job, God permitted the test within limits, and Job suffered terribly. We must acknowledge both parts of the account: Satan directly afflicted Job, but God also permitted the trial.
Therefore, we should not automatically conclude that every sickness is God's will or that every sick person is being attacked by Satan. The Bible presents different circumstances involving sickness, and we should approach each situation with humility, compassion, prayer, and faith.
When we face sickness and affliction, we can turn to God for strength, healing, and deliverance, trusting in His goodness and the compassion revealed through Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment