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It is medically stated that any disorder that affects the correct functioning of the body is a disease. Similarly, any disorder that affects the correct functioning of the soul is a disease. Sin is the spiritual disease of the soul. A sinner’s soul is diseased that is why it fails to function correctly.
A person’s soul functions correctly when the mind, will, and emotions are in harmony with God’s truth and love. This happens when the soul aligns with God in a love relationship as it is freed from the controlling power of sin by the Holy Spirit after hearing the gospel, believing in Jesus Christ and repenting from sins.
Adam’s soul was working correctly, having a great love relationship with God until he fell into sin. As soon as Adam’s soul was diseased through sin, he stopped functioning properly. The way and manner he was created to function changed. He separated from God, and fled His holy presence. He was put in the bondage of sin and an evil spirit of fear from the devil gripped him (See Genesis Chapter 3).
When a person created in the image after the likeness of God says in his heart that there is no God, and refuses to accept, receive and believe in Jesus Christ, he shows that he is diseased. Similarly, a person who claims to be a believer of Jesus Christ, but lives in sin or practices sin unrepentantly is diseased in the soul.
They both need a physician who has mastery over the soul and sin to not just treat them but heal them. Throughout the world, there is no competent physician who has what it takes to effectively heal or free man from the disease of sin except the Holy One of God. Only the Lord Jesus Christ possesses the power, authority and grace to heal man of sin.
While not all physical diseases are caused by personal sin, many human afflictions have their root in the fallen, sin-infected condition of the soul.
This is why many sick people receive healing in their body when their sins are dealt with. That is, when their sins are pardoned, forgiven or removed. One day, the Lord Jesus Christ, forgave a sinner of his sins and immediately the paralysis that was tormenting him left him.
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘SON YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN. I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. He got up, took his mat and WALKED OUT in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:5, 11, 12).
Before our Lord started His earthly ministry, the angel Gabriel had testified about His ability to heal man of his sins (Matthew 1:21). John the Baptist also bore witness about Jesus Christ when he revealed Him to the world, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
In one of His teachings, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “If the Son (referring to Himself) sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
Now, people who have been healed of the disease of the soul and indwelled by the Holy Spirit are God’s children called Christians. To be saved by Jesus Christ is to be healed of the disease of the soul and reconciled with God. This does not make believers perfect in the sight of men, but perfect in the sight of God as they are positioned to have a right standing with Him.
By James Quansah
