Does the Bible say anything about cancer?
Cancer is not mentioned specifically in the Bible, but God's Word does mention other diseases that could have been cancer (for example, 2 Kings 20:6–8), and the Bible talks about disease generically.Disease in general is one of the results of the fall (Genesis 3). God cursed the ground (the earth) because of the disobedience and the lack of trust Adam and Eve showed to Him. Not only was the entire earth cursed, but death was introduced to all people—they must return to dust (see also Romans 6:23).
Disease isn't direct punishment for some sort of sin an individual commits, but the result of the fall. People who are believers suffer as much disease as those who are not believers. But believers can trust that God will work all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
Jesus has the power over death. During His public ministry, He healed diseases, raised people from the dead, and conquered death Himself. Even today He sometimes chooses to heal people from their diseases. He might do this directly or through medical treatment. Or He might allow the cancer or other illness to continue. But a Christian will never have to journey alone. God is with us in all our struggles on this earth. James 1:2–4 and Romans 5:1–5 talk about viewing our hardships with joy, trusting God to work through them. Romans 8 reminds us that we can never be separated from Christ's love.
Psalm 103:1–5 says, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." God gives us hope. God offers forgiveness and salvation (John 3:16). For those who have put their faith in Jesus for salvation, He has prepared a place, free from sin and the effects of sin (Matthew 25:34; John 14:2–6; Revelation 21:4), and that includes cancer.
Cancer is a tragic reality of living in a sin-stained world. But those who know Christ can rely on Him to walk with them through it and can trust that one day, their cancer will be no more and they will know a fullness of life we can't even imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9; 13:12; Ephesians 3:20–21).
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