Bottom line Upfront: If medical science acknowledges the reality of spiritual health, shouldn't the church lead the way in treating spiritual illness? What do you think?
What if the most dangerous illness afflicting humanity today can't be detected by medical tests, doesn't show up on X-rays, and won't be cured by prescriptions? What if millions are suffering from a condition they can't name, affecting not their bodies, but their souls?
And what if this were you and you weren’t even aware of it?
Consider this startling reality: Mature Christians are twice as likely to struggle with judging others compared to non-believers (43% vs. 21%). The very people called to be Christ's hands and feet often find themselves being so disgusted, so judgmental that they are pushing away those who need Jesus the very most.
This is just one symptom of what I think should be called "spiritual illness." It’s a condition as real and debilitating as any physical disease, yet largely unrecognized and untreated.
Spiritual illness is an unhealthy condition of the soul that disrupts our relationship with God and others, manifesting in toxic behaviors, emotional dysfunction, and spiritual paralysis. Like a cancer that spreads silently before revealing its presence, spiritual illness often goes undetected until its symptoms become severe.
Think about Jesus' words: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17). Christ saw spiritual brokenness not as a moral failing to condemn, but as an illness requiring treatment.
The warning signs are there, if we're willing to see them: persistent judgment of others; loss of joy in worship; disconnection from community; spiritual lethargy; toxic relationships; and inability to extend grace.
Dr. P., a highly acclaimed physician and a hero of the faith, said, “Arnie, you point out events that happen in real life all the time in medicine. To your point, spiritual illness is a well-recognized component of physical malady. Did you know that spirituality is a designated domain within palliative care? The great hospice founder Dr. Cecily Saunders described ‘total pain’ which is discomfort magnified by existential and social factors in a patient’s life.”
The Bible frequently speaks of spiritual ailments—hardened hearts, blindness of spirit, and soul sickness—underscoring the profound impact of each. Addressing these signs can lead to restoration and flourishing.
If medical science acknowledges the reality of spiritual health, shouldn't the church lead the way in treating spiritual illness?
A revolutionary approach: Imagine if we treated spiritual struggles like we treat diabetes or heart disease—not with condemnation, but with compassion and care. Instead of telling someone to "just pray more" or "try harder," what if we developed comprehensive treatment plans for spiritual healing?
And this isn't about excusing sin. It’s time for a radical change of approach where we recognize the many destructive behaviors and attitudes that are surface indicators of deeper spiritual ailments—requiring proper diagnosis and treatment.
I think the implications can be revolutionary. By viewing spiritual struggles through a medical lens, we open the door to more effective, compassionate approaches to healing. The church could become what it was meant to be—not a courthouse for judgment, but a hospital for souls.
This Christmas season, as we celebrate the Great Physician's arrival, perhaps it's time to examine our own spiritual health and recognize that many around us aren't sinners to be shunned, but patients in need of healing.
The question is: Are we ready to acknowledge our own spiritual illnesses? Then we can help others find healing. Or will we continue pretending we're perfectly healthy while our souls quietly deteriorate?
Please pray, consider and reply with your thoughts.
Send your comments to me here.
-Arnie
