Why Do Faithful Believers Still Get Sick?
1) Direct Answer
Faithful believers still get sick because we are living in mortal bodies in a fallen world. Sickness is an enemy and often an oppression of the devil, but God sometimes permits it as a test, a chastening, or a platform for His glory. Healing is in the atonement and we are commanded to pray and believe, yet the full redemption of the body is future at the resurrection; until then, even the righteous may face infirmity.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- Our bodies are not yet redeemed: “We… groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). “The outward man perisheth; yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
- Sickness is an oppression of Satan: Jesus “healed all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38). The woman was “bound by Satan” (Luke 13:16). Job was smitten by Satan though he was upright (Job 2:7).
- Not all sickness is because of personal sin: The man born blind—“that the works of God should be made manifest” (John 9:3).
- God provides healing now: “By His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5; fulfilled in Matthew 8:16-17). “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders… the prayer of faith shall save the sick” (James 5:14-16).
- Yet choice servants still faced infirmities: Timothy’s “often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23). Trophimus left sick (2 Timothy 4:20). Epaphroditus was sick nigh unto death, but God had mercy (Philippians 2:27). Paul’s “thorn” remained so that God’s grace would be magnified (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
- Final, perfect health is at the change: “This mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- New birth changes your soul; the Holy Spirit dwells in you. But the body remains mortal until the resurrection. That’s why a Spirit-filled believer can still get sick.
- Healing is provided by the cross. We stand on the promise, pray, lay on hands, anoint with oil, and believe. Sometimes God heals instantly, sometimes progressively, and sometimes He reserves the perfection of it for the resurrection.
- Sickness is not always a sign of unbelief. If it were, why were Timothy, Trophimus, and Epaphroditus sick, and why did Paul carry a thorn? The Bible says God used those circumstances for humility, mercy, and testimony.
- God may allow sickness for chastening (Hebrews 12:6-11) or for His works to be revealed (John 9:3). But we never glorify sickness—we resist it as an enemy and trust God for deliverance.
- Even those who were healed eventually died; that shows present healing is real but temporary, while the eternal cure is the body change.
4) Reinforcing Statement
Now notice, the same Lord who forgives your sins is your Healer. Stand on His Word, call for prayer, keep confessing His promise, and rest in His wisdom. You see, we fight the good fight now, and we will have the final victory when this mortal puts on immortality.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
The Queen of Sheba
60-0401E §73
The lady is very, very sick. She's got a female trouble, lady's trouble. That's right. If that's right, raise up your hand. You believe now? I keep feeling somebody saying, "He's guessing that." Stop thinking that. You hurt the meeting. I'm not guessing that. That's the power of God. Here. Stand still a minute, see. Now just so they get that out of their mind... Let's see, I don't know what it was, but, just a minute till I finally... Yes. You've been to a doctor. It's a female... Yeah. Not only that, you're up for...
Believest thou this?
50-0115 §57
Now, I see Him as He came out then. His ministry got so great until He had to be called away. Lazarus taken sick while He was gone. Listen. When Jesus leaves your house, watch for sickness to come, trouble, heartaches, disappointments. Don't you believe that? When Jesus leaves your house, trouble's coming in just as soon as He leaves. 'Course, in this case, He wasn't driven away. He went away because His Father's work was calling for it, and He went away to preach somewhere else. I believe that Jesus seen the visio...
Faith cometh by hearing
54-0320 §65
And maybe sickness has beat you down to a place you hardly haven't got strength anymore. Maybe there's something that you just can't... Maybe you're so blind you can hardly, can't see. Maybe you're so sick you can hardly get up. But just apply that promise, Thus saith the Lord: "You said whatever things I desire, when I pray, believe I receive it. For me to receive it and accept it as if it was already done." Believe it now. "For I have faith, and 'Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things...
The Pool of Bethesda
50-0811 §15
But even now, what takes place here. He comes always when we ask for Him. Now, you people... That's all right, mother. Your number's called, they'll come and get her back there, dear poor thing there... invisible things, here now... out here, wherever you are. But be very reverent and pray. That's all I want you to do. And if you'll just not stir around for a... give me a chance to--to minister to the sick, I will appreciate. And I know these who are sick and afflicted will appreciate it. What if that was your sist...
God is identified by His characteristics
64-0311 §63
...you, Jesus also said this, His last commission to His church, "These signs shall follow them that believe." Now how many believes? He said, "If they lay their hands on the sick, they shall recover." Do you believe that promise? Then lay your hands on somebody next to you. If He doesn't heal you, you'll die. You're shadowed. But Jesus Christ makes you well. Do you believe it? All right, put your ... go ahead and believe now, and you'll get well. Come lady. Do you believe that God will heal that TB and diabetes, mak...