Hidden Causes of Sickness in the Church - Part 5

We began a series on why some believers are suffering from lingering symptoms of disease in their bodies. We have seen that believers are redeemed from the curse of sickness. Why, then, are so many dealing with disease and pain?

Today we want to talk about another potential cause: a lack of consecration. Kenneth E. Hagin, who ministered with integrity and wisdom for nearly 70 years, observed that there is much more sickness in the church today than there was many decades ago. He believed it was due to a lack of consecration.

Consecration is defined as separation for a sacred purpose or from a common or profane use. Many in the church are suffering from sickness because they have a lifestyle of sin, or of profane use.

Preaching against sin has never been popular, and it’s even more unpopular today. I believe there are two main reasons for a lack of preaching against sin.

One reason is due to a pendulum swing. For many centuries, the Church placed a heavy emphasis on sin. You could say that the Church was in a ditch on one side of the road; there was no light or teaching on the righteousness of the believer. Then the pendulum started to swing towards teaching on righteousness. It is very important to understand that once we are born again, we become the righteousness of God in Christ. Understanding this helps us to live free from sin.

However, the pendulum has swung to such an unsound extreme about righteousness that some ministers claim Christians don’t even have to repent of sin anymore. This is the ditch on the other side of the road. If we never preach against sin, it will gain access in the believer’s life. This is why virtually every book of the New Testament addresses the sin issue.

The second reason that sin is not preached as much is because the generation in which we currently live is more wicked than the generations of the past 200 years. The spirit of the world will always try to get into the Church. Being surrounded by wickedness, many in the Church have been swayed to conform to some of the world’s ways and think that God approves of these ways. However, He does not adjust His standard of holiness to accommodate the sinful desires of mankind. God never changes! Why does He not approve of sin? Because sin is an open door to the devil, and it destroys people.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says,

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We have been set apart by God for His use, not for what we want, and certainly not for what the world wants.

The fact that sin can bring sickness is a truth that is taught throughout the scriptures. Let’s look at three places.

● Paul taught us to examine ourselves in 1 Corinthians 11.

Why would we examine ourselves if change wasn’t necessary?

● James suggested that sin may be involved with sickness.

 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. (James 5:15-16 NKJV)

● Jesus made clear that sin can open a door to sickness.

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

(John 5:8-9 NKJV)

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”  (John 5:14 NKJV)

When the poison of sin is allowed to remain in a person’s life, healing is hindered—yet many still expect it and wonder why it does not come. If there is to be a cure, the poison must be removed.

We are not suggesting that all sickness is the result of sin. However, according to scripture, sin is one reason for sickness in a believer’s life. If this is the case, the way to receive healing is to repent of the sin and stop sinning! Consecrate your life afresh to the Lord.

God is merciful and forgiving. His mercy endures forever. He will forgive and forget.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases.   

(Psalm 103:2-3 NKJV)

Consecration is not about condemnation—it’s about alignment with God so nothing hinders what He has already provided.

If you are dealing with lingering symptoms, take time to examine your heart. If the Lord reveals anything, respond quickly—repent, receive His forgiveness, and walk in obedience.

When the obstacle is removed, the flow is restored.

God has already provided both forgiveness and healing. As you consecrate your life to Him, you position yourself to receive all that He has promised.

(This series was inspired by Nancy Dufresne.)

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