Does God cause sickness as a test?

[jiggyfly]

Mat 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Mat 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
With the Holy Ghost!!


S.I.E
Since Jesus doesn't Do this???????????????????????????????

Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.


What is so self evident and obvious is that only those that don't study the Word would think like this, and those that don't know the Holy Spirit would think like this, and those that think Jesus changed would think like this..... That is what is obvious...

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.


Jesus is Lord

What about the lame man @ the beautiful gate Mike?

 

[Brother Mike]

suffering.

S.I.E

All those "Suffering Scripture" have nothing to do with sickness, nor does the Greek indicate any sickness as you would like it to. Those that live a Godly life will be persecuted.......... This is not suffering physical aliments as nothing in the Word indicates that at all.. NOTHING!!!.. Living in America that is a hard concept to grasp, but go ask some Christians in Iran, and they can shed some light on this type of suffering...

Lazarus suffered "for the glory of God

Joh 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

Joh 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Having bad Doctrine, one can miss other scripture and take them out of context.... Jesus never said Lazereth suffered for the Glory of God... Jesus said... If you will Believe............... IF YOU WILL BELIEVE... THEN you shall see the Glory of God.... Making stuff up is a bad habit to get in...

see... John 9:3-4

Chastisement



Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.


Chastisement: paideia
Thayer Definition:
1) the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body
2) whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.
2a) instruction which aims at increasing virtue
2b) chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment)

Strongs:
From G3811; tutorage, that is, education or training; by implication disciplinary correction: - chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.


Compare Scriptures, not take one out of context............


Treated as a baby Christian, Basic Instruction again.......

Heb 5:12-13
1Pet 2:2

Trained by the Word.........

2Ti 3:16

Trained and instructed by others in the Word. That we be no more as Children, but Grown...

Eph 4:11-15

The Word of God!!!! Corrects, instructs........... more than powerful enough to make someone change..... God does not use the tools of hell to accomplish his work.....

How you connected this with sickness..... is way beyond me... very strange Doctrine there. What denomination actually believes this???



S.I.E REV 3:19... Jesus said.. I'll make you sick!!! ............... No he did not....... Please, stop making stuff up.... just for the sake of wanting to post something... Nobody that knows God, Knows the Word actually believes like this. NOBODY...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Jiggyfly:

What about the lame man @ the beautiful gate Mike?

What about that man Jiggyfly?? I guess he did not get the silver and Gold.....
Peter said in Acts 4 when put on the carpet... Peter told them that it was the Name of Jesus, and no other name has been given to men by which we may be healed by....

That name has not lost any power or authority today... He never Changed... and his will never changed.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[jiggyfly]

-

Jiggyfly:

What about that man Jiggyfly?? I guess he did not get the silver and Gold.....
Peter said in Acts 4 when put on the carpet... Peter told them that it was the Name of Jesus, and no other name has been given to men by which we may be healed by....

That name has not lost any power or authority today... He never Changed... and his will never changed.

Jesus Is Lord.

As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.
Acts 3:2 (NLT)

Do you think Jesus ever passed by this guy before? Do you think that Jesus knew where he was and that he was lame?

 

[s.i.e.]

All those "Suffering Scripture" have nothing to do with sickness, nor does the Greek indicate any sickness as you would like it to. Those that live a Godly life will be persecuted.......... This is not suffering physical aliments as nothing in the Word indicates that at all.. NOTHING!!!..

You seem adamant about this issue, Brother Mike. You hold it with a closed hand. There are many verses, some of which I posted, that speak of physical things. What part about Paul's "thorn in his flesh" causes you to rationalize it as something other than physical, for example? That's just one example of course...but you don't want to, or can't, see it.

How you connected this with sickness..... is way beyond me... very strange Doctrine there. What denomination actually believes this???



S.I.E REV 3:19... Jesus said.. I'll make you sick!!! ............... No he did not....... Please, stop making stuff up.... just for the sake of wanting to post something... Nobody that knows God, Knows the Word actually believes like this. NOBODY...

Ok...so, you want to write this off because I've got "very strange doctrine", or you believe these verses must have originated by some denominational propelling them through history. That, to me, sounds also very strange, Brother Mike. I gave verses...to which you seem to either ignore, or interpret in your own ways. This is not some belief-system perpetuated by a cult or faction...this is the Bible. It is certainly not me making this stuff up. You then move to an ad hominem rationalization about what I say, to comfort and justify your closed-hand theology...by saying I just "don't know the Word".

And with your all-caps "NOBODY"...you certainly seem to believe that you, and your way or interpreting these scriptures, is the one and only and true right way to interpret them...to which, tells me, you have no propensity to want to learn differently on this issue.

God has a way or prying open the hands of such tightly fisted doctrinal belief-systems. Wouldn't you agree? God bless you Brother Mike.

 

[Brother Mike]

Healing.

S.I.E

What part about Paul's "thorn in his flesh" causes you to rationalize it as something other than physical,for example? That's just one example of course...but you don't want to, or can't, see it.

Paul was quoting Old testament... The messenger of Satan was his issue, not a physical issue.. Even today we have the expression.. "Your a thorn in my side."

I do see it.. Paul said.. a thorn (Pointed object/ Strongs: (figuratively a bodily annoyance or disability) Which was He said, a Messenger of Satan... Well, devils are not physical thorns... but they can cause resistance and cause the people to not accept you.

Num 33:55
But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Jos 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

Jdg 2:3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

Pro 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

If Paul had not mentioned the messenger of Satan being the Thorn and not mentioned this ...........

2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities (Can mean weak, sick), in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Then I would agree with you.. However, Paul knowing the OT quoted the OT about the thorn as the Thorn represented a resistance, a hedge, a Wall from preaching from his own knowledge, and having that Knowledge exalted.. Satan stopped him cold with Rallying up the people to persecute him.

This is why Paul said... I already had the solution because when I don't go in under my own power being weak in my own, then the Power of the Greater one inside of me, that is greater than He that is in the Word can work.... Christ... The anointing and power of God..

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: (More than enough, and already there.) for my strength is made perfect (Paul's solution to the problem) in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Satan can not stand against the Power of the Holy Spirit... the Power of Christ... or Jesus the Anointed one and his Anointing...

We are not to teach under our own wisdom and understanding.... that is why Satan kicked the slats from underneath Paul.... and he learned... as he mentioned this again in Phil......

Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Php 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Christ:
Thayer......
Christ = “anointed”
1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God
2) anointed


1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

and even though you gave some scripture.. Nothing in the Greek or even a hint is related to sickness.... Nice try though...
and if you compare scriptures, we fully understand what Paul was talking about... being weak, but the power of Christ....will get him though..

Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (The anointing)
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Jiggyfly:

yep, I have no idea if Jesus ever passed by him.. but the scripture says he healed ALL that were sick and oppressed of the devil, so I doubt it....

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[jiggyfly]

--

Jiggyfly:

yep, I have no idea if Jesus ever passed by him.. but the scripture says he healed ALL that were sick and oppressed of the devil, so I doubt it....

Jesus Is Lord.

Do you doubt that Jesus knew about him being lame and that he was there @ gate beautiful?

 

[David777]

Go Jiggyfly.

With you on this, the Holy Spirit is the same yesterday, today and forever. All I see around me is people suffering from mental illness. They reject the truth of Jesus, so God gives them over to an unsound mind.

This is the real sickness that prevails not a sore throat or one leg longer than another, etc.

 

[s.i.e.]

Do you doubt that Jesus knew about him being lame and that he was there @ gate beautiful?

great question.

Moreover...do any of us doubt that Jesus knows any and all of the sicknesses and infirmities that all of us have in this present day...in real-time? Does Jesus not know how we feel about said sicknesses, and that we would wants, desire, perhaps pray, that they be rid of us?

Why then, are we not all healed? Is it our lack of faith? If so, do all those who believe as Brother Mike believe, get healed? If no, then where is Jesus in all this? Brother Mike: how do you explain that away?

 

[Brother Mike]

Healing, Does God make us sick to teach us something.

Jiggyfly:
Being a very important Gate, and one traveled by many, I would be a stretch to think Jesus did not pass by there. However, there is no scripture but what we have and only speculation that Jesus ever saw that man, or that man was ready to believe that he could be healed.

Remember, Jesus did ask once if they believed they could do this, and another time a man in Luke 5 questioned his Will on healing.
We also have Jesus in his home town, who could do no mighty works because of their unbelief...

So, not enough evidence to support a belief system or doctrine.
(Scripture spared because I know you know them.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

S.I.E

Why then, are we not all healed? Is it our lack of faith? If so, do all those who believe as Brother Mike believe, get healed? If no, then where is Jesus in all this? Brother Mike: how do you explain that away?

Jesus is here and now, the same today, yesterday and forever. Seriously Brother..... If all this is true, then why is not everyone healed... I suppose we can ask why is not everyone saved since God is not willing that any perish.. It goes against his will..

Point is, not everything that takes place on earth is the Will of God, God wanting one thing, and we wanting and believing another, never works out well for us. The bible is full of those examples.

There are some things in the Word I have not seen happen in my life yet. I don't discount them as I see them in the Word. I need to grow, and understand my myself. Lack of faith?? Lack of being in my right place?? Things I knew to change but did not?? many things come into play if we study the whole word..

While I ministered to this Mother and boy, and believed God for them, the boy died anyway... I know why the boy died, in this case.. I took his dog since his mother could not stand to see the dog anymore.

The man that came to pray for my own son, died of brain cancer... I know why, but it did not make it any more easy.

Others died that believed like I do,, Why?? No clue..

That still does not make the word not true, and Jesus has never changed, the power and authority of his name never changed. What I try to get across is that if something comes up... a bad doctor test, an evil report.. Get in the Word... get on those promises, and don't think for a second it's not the will of God to see you though.. never give up!!

That is my message, and I have given lots and lots of scripture to back that up, and light on scriptures people use to prove God does not want to help everyone or worse.. God is behind the problem... building character or something..

That is my message, and I have been blessed by being part of some awesome things... I have also seen the other side... just don't give up... Nothing is to hard for God, and He is on your side.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[s.i.e.]

I need to grow, and understand my myself. Lack of faith?? Lack of being in my right place?? Things I knew to change but did not?? many things come into play if we study the whole word..

You need to do this, you need to do that, you need to change this or that, you need to study more, etc., etc., burden, load, heavy...heavy...

Look, God is sovereign, and there are many verses that speak of His Will, which will be done. Your words show that you believe that if you somehow "get it right", things will go well with you. This shows at least a couple things: 1) that you somehow know what is best for you (see Proverbs 19:21 for insight into that lie), and 2) that you can somehow be good engough, or perform well enough, to cause that "best life" to unfold into your future.

Both of these are lies, and not supported by scriptural study.

the boy died anyway... I know why the boy died, in this case..

Brother Mike: why did the boy die?

The man that came to pray for my own son, died of brain cancer... I know why, but it did not make it any more easy.

Brother Mike: why did the man that prayed for your son die?

What I try to get across is that if something comes up... a bad doctor test, an evil report.. Get in the Word... get on those promises, and don't think for a second it's not the will of God to see you though.. never give up!!

What makes a doctor test "bad"? What makes a report "evil"? I fully understand that you may not like what said test/report might read to you...and that you might consider them to be "good" or "bad"...but honestly, how can human-beings truly know how to judge such things? Are we God, that we can know all things, throughout time? And...when you consider it "bad" or "evil"...your believe these are somehow how in God's plans, and that through study or effort, these reports/tests can be reversed by your valiant efforts?

That is truly man's thinking, Brother Mike. God's will is His own, and not necessarily understood or invited by us. We can either trust Him that He is good in it, or reject it and think that we know better, and strive our best (in vein) to have it changed...

That is my message, and I have given lots and lots of scripture to back that up, and light on scriptures people use to prove God does not want to help everyone or worse.. God is behind the problem... building character or something..

Yeah...I can't imagine that God might cause of to go through things that might have our character built up. That is so silly...:shade:

Nothing is to hard for God, and He is on your side.

You're right, I believe.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

I believe we are supposed to walk in his power.I would even venture to say that most of the time we don't see answers because of a lack of knowledge.However there are MANY factors involved.

John 14:12 is the baby.Reality is the bath water.
I have managed to get a rubber ducky or two but only God knows how long this bath is going to take.

 

[rizen1]

You need to do this, you need to do that, you need to change this or that, you need to study more, etc., etc., burden, load, heavy...heavy...

rizen1 I think you misunderstood what he was trying to say

Look, God is sovereign, and there are many verses that speak of His Will, which will be done. Your words show that you believe that if you somehow "get it right", things will go well with you.

Rizen1..No where in any of brother mikes post was this mentioned, I think you're assessing everything he says with preconceived notions and therefore missing the point. Me reading this from the outside I understand both arguments. I understand your point of view and his. It's never good to assume what someone is trying to say but to take his words as is. Then you compare it with scripture, for only scripture can debunk or correct.

This shows at least a couple things: 1) that you somehow know what is best for you (see Proverbs 19:21 for insight into that lie), and 2) that you can somehow be good engough, or perform well enough, to cause that "best life" to unfold into your future.

Rizen1 says..Again assumptions, I read over brother mikes post and nothing depicts what you just describe.

Both of these are lies, and not supported by scriptural study.

Rizen1 ..Again only with scripture can we debunk or correct, so please quote brother mike statements that show point one and two with scripture exposing the lies

Brother Mike: why did the boy die?

Brother Mike: why did the man that prayed for your son die?

Rizen1 Not relevant and insensitive. I can tell you why some people close to me died. In 2 points...1 they didn't take care or their bodies and got sick 2. We live in a polluted world, fill of pesticides, chemicals, vaccines, radiation, people give up meat ( 1 Timothy 4:1-4 ) and people's immune system are no longer as strong as the people who lived here 1000 years ago. That's how they died.

What makes a doctor test "bad"? What makes a report "evil"? I fully understand that you may not like what said test/report might read to you...and that you might consider them to be "good" or "bad"...but honestly, how can human-beings truly know how to judge such things? Are we God, that we can know all things, throughout time?

Rizen1 We are not God and our heavenly father will give us wisdom if we ask. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. james1:5
Also if we have the Holy Spirit in us he will point us to the truth.
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you” (John 14:16-17).

And...when you consider it "bad" or "evil"...your believe these are somehow how in God's plans, and that through study or effort, these reports/tests can be reversed by your valiant efforts?

Rizen1 Maybe I missed something, but please quote where he states these reports/test can be reversed by his efforts

That is truly man's thinking, Brother Mike. God's will is His own, and not necessarily understood or invited by us. We can either trust Him that He is good in it, or reject it and think that we know better, and strive our best (in vein) to have it changed...

Rizen1 I really think there's a break down of communication here

.

I understand both of you , but I need more scripture and less analysis of anyone character or belief system. The only way to end this is with scripture, no I think or I believe.

Does God cause sickness as a test ?
Very straight forward answer, yes or no.
Give scripture in full context not one verse or two. Explain the story, the culture of the people, who is being addressed and why. Nothing should be left for interpretation or speculation. Let the word speak for itself. Finally pray before posting. Sometimes our answers are based on who we think God is and not what the Bible says God is.

Lets end this tennis match with an answer and allow the bible to be the final authority.

Be blessed.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I don't believe that God CAUSES sickness, but, I do believe that He sometimes uses sicknesses for His purposes. Consider the case of Lazarus, Jesus' close friend: When He was told of Lazarus' sickness, The Lord told His disciples "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it" (Jn 11:4) and He stayed where He was for two more days (until Lazarus was dead). It seems to me that Jesus could have healed Lazarus from a distance just as He did the centurion's servant/son (Lk 7:1-10), but He didn't because it didn't jibe with the Father's purposes for that situation.

SLE

 

[cranquar]

God does not cause sickness.

Sickness, often becomes an agent of eventual death of the body, is often a result of sin. (Can also include the sins that are visited upon the third and fourth generations). Sin has an original meaning in archery meaning to “Miss the mark”. With this definition in mind, it is easy to see how we all sin, as we all fall short of the glory of God due to ignorance, lack of belief and faith, and a host of other factors such as the concentration of thoughts on the worries and pleasures of “this world”.

There are scientific and medical research studies that have determined the effects of our thoughts and spoken words on the functions of our bodies cell regeneration processes, DNA codes, brain messages to organs and cells, our immune systems, etc. etc. Thus when we lack faith and think or utter expressions that are stressful, angry, bitter, resentful, fearful, etc. etc… we open the door wide to sickness and disease (dis-ease). Keep in mind that our energies co-mingle and thus what we believe about another, can also affect the health of others. Thus Christ demonstrated the effects of forgiving the sins of others, and making them well.

Also there is the documentation of the successes of intercessory prayers, and documentations of terminally ill cancer patients, who upon hearing their diagnosis, they decided they wanted to make the best of each remaining day of their life. They gave up being angry and depressed (and thus their thoughts and expressions changed.) The next thing you know, their tumors started shrinking! (See Healingcancernaturally.com)

Thus it is written, the tongue no man can tame; it is an unruly evil, full of DEADLY poison… let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth…pleasant words are as an honeycomb…and health to the bones…a merry heart doeth good, like medicine.

Thus we are encouraged to sin no more.

CQ

 

[Stickz]

Quenton: Does God cause sickness as a test? what do you think?

Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

Exodus 16:4 Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

Quenton: give me one example of Jesus not healing someone because he wanted them to learn from their sickness?

Quenton, every person that Jesus didn't heal, he left them in their current condition so that they would learn something. They needed to learn faith.

Deuteronomy 8:16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

Deuteronomy 28:58-63

Judges 2:22 That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

Judges 3:1
Judges 3:4

II Samuel 12:15
Why didn't God just kill the child quickly? Could it have been a test of sorts, even though the scripture doesn't actually use the word 'test' or 'trial'?

II Samuel 24:13-25
This happened for corrective purposes. It could be argued that the Lord was testing David to see if he would step forward and take responsibility for his actions, which he did. Otherwise, why was David ( the one who had actually committed the trespass ) spared being touched by the plague?

II Chronicles 21:15
II Chronicles 32:31

Thiscrosshurts: BrotherMike I just HAD to let you know that I got your back 100% on this.I would like take the Job thing.

Satan claimed that God had a hedge of protection around Job that he(Satan) could not penetrate.

Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face
Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Many interpret this verse thinking God allowed Satan to attack Job but that's not the case.God said that all Job had was already in Satan's power.God did not put forth his hand as Satan asked.The meeting ends and Jobs problems begin.

I believe the answer lies in verse 1:5
When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

Job's fear that his hedge may have unknowingly been compromised was a lack of faith that caused fear.That fear turned into a regular custom and Job was relying on works without faith.That may seem like a tiny hole and maybe that's why it wasn't obvious to Satan.But it was a flaw nonetheless.

Sorry, but I must disagree.

Job 1:8

The Lord seems to have initiated the whole thing, being the one to first mention Job's name. Satan complained that there was no way that Job could really be tested as long as God was being so good to him.

Job 1:9-11

It seems pretty clear that Satan needed the Lord to give him a way in, and the Lord granted it, because it is obvious by other scripture that our being tested is a part of God's master plan. He seems to take pride in his people holding up under tribulation. He seems proud of Job, to me. As far as Job losing faith because of fear, that would be considered sin

Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

and this verse would seem to be contradicted in your theory

Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job 2:3 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Brother Mike: God would never test, try, or tempt Job.. God would not have a Murderer Kill Job's Children.... Not my God anyway.....

Job 1:12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

I see in this verse that the Lord gave Satan permission to do whatever he wanted with everything that pertained to Job. Job himself was the only thing forbidden here, for the moment.

Job 2:6 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

And here God granted permission for Satan to afflict Job himself. And this is where the boils came in. Notice that God did not refuse either of Satan's requests. If God wanted to stop all bad things from happening to people, I'm sure that He would have absolutely no trouble getting rid of Satan. So, why hasn't He done it yet?

Regardless of what you want to believe, that glaring question remains in the hands of unbelievers everywhere; people who almost justly hesitate to believe because of all of the obvious contradiction there seems to be in the world of Christianity right now.

You seem to have a problem with the idea that God gave Satan permission to kill Job's children just to test Job, but you are okay with the idea that God allowed Satan to kill Job's children for Job's slip in faith? That seems more just to you?

Brother Mike: No scripture that would indicate God would do that, or send the devil to do that.....

Brother Mike:
AudreyNicole:

The hang up is the "God Allows" Part... so that we can grow stronger.

That is the missing part here, and your interpretation.

There is not one scripture that supports that... Not one.

Brother Mike: You also failed to give one scriptures that mentions sickness and God using that to help us in any way.. You only mentioned scriptures that mentions there will be trails to be overcome... and the bible says it's our faith that overcomes This World... Look at what S.I.E Posted..
Not one scripture mentions that God is the author of these trials except the children being led in the desert, and Jesus taken to be tested, but none of those trails used sickness.

I pointed in the Word where sickness only purpose was to destroy us.. Not to help us.. You ignored that...

Job 42:11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

Jesus is Lord

Brother Mike: God is not into breaking up family's, He is not into keeping you mentally depressed. If you believe he is part of the problem, or just not moved to help you then there is not much left to be done.

If you actually want answer's.... then you have not even gotten started yet.. and that is the good news... If you PM me, I'll send some things free to watch... and it's time to put the devil in his place..

Matthew 10:35 For I am come to SET A MAN AT VARIANCE AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND THE DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND THE DAUGHTER IN LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER IN LAW.

Matthew 10:36 And A MAN'S FOES SHALL BE THEY OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.

Job 23:10
Psalm 17:3
Psalm 66:10
Psalm 139:23-24
Jeremiah 9:7
Jeremiah 17:10
Daniel 11:35
Daniel 12:10
John 9:3
I Corinthians 3:13
I Thessalonians 2:4
Hebrews 11:17

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

I Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

So, testing us is, without a doubt, something that God is going to do.

Now, here are a couple of verses that mention people that were stricken with sickness and apparently not with the intentions of killing them, but to get them to turn back to God. Testing—if you will—to see if they would come back to Him:

Amos 4:10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.

II Chronicles 7:12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.

II Chronicles 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn away from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Leviticus 26:23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me;

Leviticus 26:24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.

Leviticus 26:25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

Leviticus 26:26 And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

Leviticus 26:27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me;

Leviticus 26:28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.

If you will get a Strong's and look up the word 'suffer', you should discover that when man suffers, for Christ's sake, it is glorifying to Him. It may sound a little strange to some, but look it up. Jesus didn't die on the cross so that everyone would have a nice comfortable life here on earth. Look at what Jesus said about the apostle Paul

Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Believe what you want, though, my intentions are not to try to change what anybody else believes. I just saw this thread, and thought that I'd throw my two cents into the mix along with everyone else.

When you are willing to ridicule and tear down another person, in the name of being right and in the name of Christ, as well as risking turning away somebody that might come into this forum looking for answers because they question what they see here, you have bigger things to worry about than whether or not God would use sickness to test someone or not.

Sorry that the post is so long, but my intentions are to only post once.