Good Question: Is HIV/AIDS Judgement From God?
This article is a very interesting one. Not too much to explain but this is worth exploring sourced from GotQuestions.org
Question: “What does the Bible say about AIDS / HIV? Is AIDS / HIV a judgment from God?”
Answer: Fundamentally, all disease is a judgment from God. Adam and Eve did not know corruption of any kind before the Fall. When God pronounced judgment on Adam, death entered the world (Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12). All sickness, from the common cold to cancer, is part of the curse, and we who live in a cursed world are subject to decay. So, yes, AIDS / HIV and other STDs (along with all other diseases) are part of God’s judgment in a cursed world.
The Bible plainly teaches that our choices bear consequences. Whatever a man sows, that’s what he reaps (Galatians 6:7-8). Righteousness brings blessing: “Keep my commands and you will live” (Proverbs 7:2); and sin brings judgment: “He who sows wickedness reaps trouble” (Proverbs 22:8). One of our problems is that we want total freedom to choose our actions, but we want them consequence-free. The reality is when we choose a course of action, we automatically choose its corresponding result. Scripture warns that sexual sin carries a built-in judgment from God. “He who sins sexually sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). “God will judge . . . all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4). It cannot be denied that living according to Biblical principles (sexual fidelity within marriage) drastically reduces one’s chances of contracting HIV / AIDS and other STDs.
Romans 1:18-32 is an indictment of the heathen, idolatrous world. It starts with these words: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men.” This passage teaches that the sin of homosexuality has its roots in a denial of God. It brings about shame, degradation, and a “due penalty.” Since STDs such as AIDS / HIV are attendant, for the most part, upon sexual sin, they must be considered as part of the “penalty” which reveals “the wrath of God” against the wickedness of men (verse 18). A key phrase is “God gave them over,” which occurs three times. God gave them over to sexual impurity (verse 24); to shameful lusts (verse 26); and to a depraved mind (verse 28). The meaning is that mankind chose to go its own way, and God allowed it. Granting mankind the freedom to go even further astray was itself a punishment on previous sin.
None of this is to say that everyone with AIDS / HIV is guilty of sexual sin or that homosexuals are beyond redemption. Tragically, some people have been infected with AIDS / HIV by blood transfusions, by innocent contact with another person who has AIDS / HIV, and most sadly, by being conceived in the womb of a mother who has AIDS / HIV. The Christian response to AIDS / HIV should always be one of grace and mercy. No matter how a disease was contracted, our responsibility is to be ministers of grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness. We do not have the right or authority to proclaim that an AIDS / HIV contraction is a specific judgment from God on a specific sin in a person’s life. We have a responsibility to do good to all (Luke 10:29-37), and the Gospel we share is still “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
Posted on September 4, 2011, in Articles and tagged AIDS, Fornication, God, Got Questions, HIV, Homosexuality, Immoral, Judgement, Sex. Bookmark the permalink. 16 Comments.
Your homophobia has skewed your judgement! When did HIV/AIDS come into play? And since you ridiculously claim St Paul in Romans 1:18-32 was speaking to [homosexuals] , which year did he write that letter? Because it is very strange that God after hating the act of homosexuality, waited almost 2000 YEARS to finally inflict homosexuals with AIDS – But wait a minute, it is not just homosexuals who are falling victim to HIV/AIDS, heterosexuals, and little children are also falling victim to HIV/AIDS. Are you suggesting that GOD cannot control his awesome power, that He is angry with one man but also punishes the other? You are contradicting yourself, because YOU said God ‘Turned [them] over.” It didn’t say God turn everybody over, it specified ‘Them’!
Your point about a secured relationship through marriage helps to safeguard against such evils, also goes for homosexuals, because studies have shown that homosexuals in committed monogamous relationships also live a better, healthier life – So isn’t it fair to say God endorses both? Also, countries that are more welcome and supportive of their homosexual citizens tend to have fewer HIV/AIDS cases, compare to countries that oppose to homosexuality!
In addition, being that Poor Black people, In Poor Black Nations are the major victims of HIV/AIDS, are you also suggesting that GOD hates Poor Black People? It is time we cut the hypocrisy – All people are affected by HIV/AIDS – It is not a Gay disease OR a Straight disease – It is everybody’s disease – And just as how you want to make it out that God gave mankind AIDS because He hates those [nasty] homosexuals, another can make it out that God Loves those makers/manufacturers of pills and condoms so much, He gave us AIDS in order to boost the demand of these products! Also, YOU are also suggesting that God has issues with Homosexual males and heterosexual relationships, BUT has no problem with girl-on-girl action, because Lesbians do not readily contract HIV/AIDS!
I find your last paragraph Laughable, Pathetic and Evil all in one. After setting up people in your previous notes to hate homosexuals, you try to smooth it over – Too Late, the damage is already done!
Cancer and Diabetes are not sexually related diseases, yet these diseases can cause persons to live a life of misery far worse than contracting HIV – There are many persons out there with no breasts, having to cut off a leg, a hand in order to survive. What say you about these diseases that affect even the most ‘righteous’ of Believers? Before you begin to point fingers, remind yourself that NO MAN is safe! The God I serve has shown me that He is a JUST God and when He’s angry with one group of people He punishes that ONE group of people – Jesus told us that in the last days there will be earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars, pestilence/diseases etc. Jesus didn’t say these will come about because Kevin loves and wants to marry Mark – Jesus said these will be SIGN OF THE TIME, yet we find so-called righteous men POINTING fingers on homosexuals and others for these signs! I am not surprised, because Jesus did prophesy that He will tell MANY so-called Believers to depart from Him on the Day of Judgement!
There is redemption for homosexuals, but not in the way you are thinking, because your concept of redemption is for homosexuals to deny themselves of who God made them to be and live a LIE to please bigots like you! But thank be to God, Jesus did tell us that the Prostitutes and the Publicans will enter the Kingdom of God before the self-righteous! As such, these are the people today who are actually doing the will of Christ, be being loving and caring to those the So-called Christians have rejected. However, Jesus told us, The Pure in Heart shall see God; not the Straight in Sexual Orientation! The problem with the Church is that it has put aside the Teachings and Commands of Jesus and has taken up its own doctrines, but WOE unto them who lead my people astray, thus saith the Lord!
What? This post is.saying the total opposite of what you think its trying to say…. Basically the post is saying that AIDS/HIV is NOT judgement from God. Quit jumping to conclusions and being so defensive every chance you get.
And last time I remember gays weren’t the only people who could get STDs smh
Oh and if anything peoples disregard of their own sexual health in most cases of HIV/AIDS is brought to them from their own disregard to their sexual health or selfishness to think about others. Other cases like in poor countries are typically victims of rape and have children who contracted the disease at birth… That is no one but Adams fault. I have tons of compassion for those people.
“Basically the post is saying that AIDS/HIV is NOT judgement from God.” However, in your Answer you wrote “…yes, AIDS / HIV and other STDs (along with all other diseases) are part of God’s judgment in a cursed world.” You went on to say, “Romans 1:18-32 is an indictment of the heathen.” Larry, you have identified those heathens as Homosexuals! And in that same paragraph you point out that HIV/AIDS is a due penalty – It is an established FACT that many so-called Christians and their violent sinful followers go about accusing homosexuals for causing AIDS.
So Larry, how can you accuse (poor, innocent) me of jumping to conclusion and being defensive every chance I get? I hope you are happy for breaking my heart.
The meat of the matter is that you are trying to please both Conservatives and Liberals, but as we are taught, we CAN’T serve 2 masters; we’ll either love one or hate the other: that is why I choose to please CHRIST! If the Church should just put aside her hang-ups over homosexuality and focus on what Yehshua teaches and commands, there would not be a need for this question.
As always, I come in Peace.
Oh also I didn’t write this article it is from GotQuestions.org (which I sited at the beginning of the post). But I see where you could be offended but I didn’t say I totally agreed with the article I said I wanted to explore it. But Romans 1:18-32 is a about all sinners (the prideful, boastful, idolizers, not just Homosexuals.)
The text in Romans 1:18-32 isn’t exclusively talking about Homosexuals either. That text is talking about people who knew God but yet they decided to live a life of idolatry and sin as a whole, not just sexual sin. God give those who would rather live a life of SIN than live in his love up to their own fleshly desires. In other words he allows the people who are so engulfed in their sin do what they do.
I clam to be neither Conservative nor Liberal. I have no hidden agenda, for I gave nothing to gain. To take what has been posted as an attack and accuse me of being a bigot offends me.
To be honest, the contraction of AIDS, HIV, STDS can go both ways some people bring it on themselves and some don’t. But for one to teach that its judgement from God is extremely false. God will handle them for deceiving his sheep and potential sheep. You reap what you sow, but also sometimes life just happens.
Larry, being that I [try] to be a just person, I regret and I sincerely do apologize for calling you a bigot, I also forgive you for acting on your pain and so with a ‘negative’ undertone declared that I am obviously a homosexual: as David said, “In my haste I called all men liars.” Acceptance and tolerance is a process and I applaud you for at least trying. Being gay is a Blessing!
However, if you read my first reaction, you will see that I did not speak directly to ‘Larry’ – My reaction was to whoever wrote the piece. I was more alarmed at your responses, which indicated to me that you agreed with it. I am well aware of Paul’s intent in Romans 1:18-32 and if you read correctly, you will see that Paul’s audience was persons who had become IDOLATROUS; and the sexual activities that they went after was to directly complement their Idolatry. Unfortunately, this significant piece of information is not passed down to ‘Christians’ as the subject of homosexuality (to them) is sufficient!
I also beg to differ, because the writer had identified homosexuals to be the main subject of Romans 1:18-32 when he or she wrote, “This passage teaches that the sin of homosexuality has its roots in a denial of God.” So in other words, this person is saying that homosexuality comes about as a result of one’s turning away from God. Is this person saying all Atheists are gay, or persons who worship idols? Does this person know that MANY homosexuals are ‘born and raised’ in the church and love God and are actively involved in the building of ministry?
It is assertions as this that continue to confirm to me that so-called Christians who continue to use the Bible to condemn homosexuals, do so out of PURE ignorance! I will also say that for the writer to say There is ‘redemption’ for homosexuals, means that he or she has concluded that homosexuality in and of itself is sinful.
So Larry, this goes beyond HIV/AIDS because it threatens whatever liberty and safety therein lies for homosexuals. If HIV/AIDS was first prevalent among heterosexuals, I doubt such debates would be pursued. But the question was asked, Must Jesus bear the Cross alone?
- If there is no persecution, HOW will we be able to show mercy?
I apologize for the defensive reaction. People been talking real reckless in the comments sections. So you were just caught in the crossfire. But I totally agree with you. I know lots of Homosexual people who are attracted but won’t ever engage in sex. So to say that in itself is sin and is very false.
However, I also believe that those in the Body who are Homosexual should never esteem the LGBT or any other EARTHLY agenda over the word of God either. Basically if your going to Pride parades/events more than you are building on the word (Sunday or Saturday service, Bible Studies, Prayer, Reading, etc.) or stand for Gay/Lesbian rights (which is fine b/c I’m all for fairness and equality) over the True Gospel.
I would never condone judging, oppression, bullying, or any other forms of persecution to anyone. Be it homosexuals, the promiscuous, sex offenders, murderers, adulterers, women, or whoever. We all are equal in God’s eyes and no sin is greater.
In a nutshell earthly agendas should never be more esteemed than the heavenly. But over that God Loves us all and it pleases him we we submit to His will for our lives. What I said isn’t just for the Homosexual, its for the Feminist, the Black Nationalist, Hip Hopper, Club Hopper, and who ever else. We ALL have sinned and we ALL need to seek the Kingdom first and foremost.
Peace Brother…
Larry, what is your true opinion on homosexuality? Are you saying it is okay to be gay, so as long as that person does not act on his or her sexual desires?
Whilst I support the gathering of the Saints as an important part of sharing one’s faith, I believe the structure of the church has done a lot to cripple Believers, in that, the Church has become, in many respect – God. Therefore, we see the Church actively involved in Politics, dictating who is to marry from who not to marry, the role of women in society, who can adopt children etc etc. This is not the picture Yehshua painted of His Church. In addition, I believe HOW you interact with others is greater than your church attendance – Remember the Kingdom of God is inside you, and most time the sinners are on the outside while the Christians are locked away in their well-kept churches. The structure of the Church has led ‘Believers’ to think they are better than others – And this is enforced by the Church’s power to expel members deemed sinful and to block others from forming their own church; as shown in Nigeria and Uganda etc, with LGBT rights persons who try to hold Church services for those not welcome in the traditional churches.
I have never been to a Pride event, but if such event is to build awareness and to lobby for Human Rights and Justice, how can this not be of God? Can a man truly worship God in bondage, especially when his bondage is enforced by those who claim to be representatives of God? That is a tricky one, that is why I am so thankful that there will be a Judgement Day, in which the sheep will be separated from the goats.
Equality is of God. So on that level I’m all for it.
I know how some in the LGBT community are extremely militant against God and His Children. Some of the stuff I’ve been to in-person has blown me blown me away when it comes to people’s disrespect for God. As far as my stance on Homosexuality I do believe (I Believe) that as long as you don’t engage in the act you are being obedient by not committing sin, you are fine in God’s eyes. I also feel that way about Drug Addiction, Porn Addiction, Lying, Fornication, Gossip, Adultery, Fighting, Etc. We all have desires (tendencies) that are not of God, but God rewards of for denying our fleshly desires or not doing what WE want to. Denying the flesh is tangible evidence of God’s working power within us. The spirit is strong in comparison to the flesh.
But know that Denying the flesh is vastly different than being in bondage to man’s doctrine. Denying the flesh is for God. Earthly bondage is for Man, in fear of embarrassment and persecution. Know and own who you are within the confines of being obedient and a servant unto God. I was once like that I doing things and thinking a certain way b/c the church said things were one way. I stepped down from being a preacher to learn myself and God through his word. As I read the word more and more God reveals himself more and more. The more my worldview has changed.
Thanks for your honesty. I, however, think it is unwise to put homosexuals in the same room as heterosexuals in relation to their acceptance of God. The Church (for centuries) has created a Monster and when the Monster behaves monstrously the Church says, “LOOK! See I told you it is a monster.”
This is the situation many gays find themselves in – They are raised in a society that teaches them that God HATES ‘fags’ – You are going to hell, you are a pervert, demon possessed, evil, nasty, sick etc etc – And to top it off, they are faced with physical violence; chased from their homes, communities – Denied employment, housing, health care – Scorn by the Church, ostracized by their government…Can you blame such a man for not wanting anything to do with [God]?
Just as how there are militant gays, there are militant Church goers who use their religious ideologies to literally kill and make the lives of gays a living hell – So remember that in all of this one of the two is a victim and simply reacting.
You are saying that you believe it is OK for a woman to be attracted to another woman so as long as they leave it at that! And has gone as far as to compare homosexuality to Stealing, Lying, Drug addiction etc. but that goes against what Jesus taught us, because the Law of God is no longer on Tablets, the Law of God is in our hearts, and so if a man thinks to lie on another, that man is already guilty of lying. If a man thinks to steal from another, that man is already guilty of stealing. So you are basically saying a man who is attracted to another man is guilty of homosexuality whether or not he acts on his desire.
Sin transgresses the Law/Will of God – How does two men or women being in love comparable to a man killing another, or lying on another, or cheating on another? I just don’t get it! Where in the Bible did God say two men or two women should not be in love? You seem not to understand that homosexuality is no different from heterosexuality – It is about finding someone attractive and wanting to share with that person. However, gays in many instances are not allowed to explore serious relationships because of fear of persecution – Hence the bath houses, the gay bars, the sex clubs, hook-up joints – The church has itself to thank for all this sexual perversion. The Church cannot set the stage and then blame the actors for performing.
Yes, I will accept that many gays out there are very anti-God, BUT it is with a reason- While Slaves were given God as a refuge (for strategic purposes), Gays are denied the love of God – And whenever many try to give of themselves to God, the Church says NO! You are NOT welcome here! So as I pointed out earlier, the Church has become GOD! We have been mislead to believe that God is obsesed with ‘Gay sex’ when there is nowhere in the bible an incident is shown in which two men or women were caught in the act of ‘gay sex’ and were punished – All these verses that are used to condemn gays are taken out of context and have been used for generation to inculcate a bias that we are yet to rid ourselves of.
In addition, why should there be a fuss over gay sex when SEX in general is a result of SIN? Yet we fooled ourselves into thinking God made Adam and Eve put them in the Garden of Eden and blessed them with sacred gift of sex. That’s a LIE. God did not make Eve (in the context she’s presented). God made Adam and then from him formed what Adam called Female – Eve came as a result of SIN.
History has a way of repeating itself and the whole issue surrounding homosexuality is simply just that.
Wasn’t the Bible used to enslave Blacks?
Wasn’t the Bible used to oppress women?
Wasn’t the Bible used to persecute Left-handed persons?
Wasn’t the Bible used to persecute Jews?
And despite all these wrongs, the Church today still vent on ostracizing another minority. But thankfully, the tide is turning AND many churches are realizing that just as how they were wrong in the persecution of the above, so too are they wrong about homosexuality, and now they are making mends. This will not go down with most Black pastors because The Black community is still held captive by mental slavery; we were hated so we must hate in return!
I can only hope we will get back to the Gospel of Christ before it is too late!
I’m not going to act like I know all the answers. And I’m not going to tell you what to believe, you have to do that on your own. But I will ask these questions. Don’t tell me the answers just consult the Bible for your benefit and ease of mind…
Do you believe that Eve (Woman’s Very Existence) is product of sin?
Do you think that Procreation is a Product of Sin?
How do you feel about Heterosexual Christians being “In Love” with people of other religions or Pursuing Interfaith relationships?
Do you think the “Church ” has to accept You to have a relationship with God?
And lastly, who do you believe has the final authority on your life? God or the Church?
Peace…
“Don’t tell me the answers just consult the Bible for your benefit and ease of mind…”
Larry, in important matter as this, questions MUST be answered!
1. Do you believe that Eve (Woman’s Very Existence) is product of sin?
I did not say Woman/Female is a product of sin – Woman was formed from Man/Male and given to him in the Sacred Garden of Eden. EVE, however, came about after the man and the woman SINNED, as shown in Genesis 3:16-20. So Man and Woman in their original role is yet to be explored, and might never be known UNTIL we get to Heaven.
2. Do you think that Procreation is a Product of Sin?
Larry, I did not say it is a ‘Product of sin’, I said it is a RESULT of sin – Adam and the woman were not sexual beings, and our journey to Heaven is to reinstate us to that SEXLESS identity – As Jesus pointed out in Mark 12:25, “When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
Sex is needed because it is through this mean children can be born AND God gave this means to mankind in order to fulfill His prophecy (Genesis 3:15) “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” But the fact of the matter is that the Act of Sex came as a result of the Man’s and the woman’s SIN – As God said to the Woman in Genesis 3:16 “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”
Therefore, it is not what I think that is paramount here, it is what the Scripture teaches – Sex, Pregnancy, (the concept of) Eve…Came AS A RESULT of sin – God did not give mankind these mandates immediately after He made man, He did so AFTER they sinned.
3. How do you feel about Heterosexual Christians being “In Love” with people of other religions or Pursuing Interfaith relationships?
One’s attraction is separate from one’s religion. No one tells oneself who to find attractive; that is a natural occurrence. However, Yehshua tells us “What God joined together, let no man put asunder.” Therefore, if a Christian and a Jew find each other attractive and want to explore that attraction, it is not for me to dictate their choice. IF God has truly joined them together, then they will overcome their differences: there are many stories of a Black slave and a White lover jumping to their death because society tried (and still trying) to dictate LOVE!
4. Do you think the “Church ” has to accept You to have a relationship with God?
The beauty about God is that He is Above and Beyond “Church”. So when “Church” goes about drafting its criteria to give membership, God has already made provision to reach His people – (Jeremiah 31:33, 1 Thess 4:9) God has written His law [love] in the minds and hearts of every man, and so it doesn’t matter our cultural background, on that Day of Judgement, God will be able to judge who adhered to His Righteous Law – The Pure in Heart Shall see God. That is why I can say, NO ONE holds a patent on God!
5. Who do you believe has the final authority on your life? God or the Church?
Yehshua tells us in Matthew 28:18 That all ‘authority is given to Him – As such, my obedience and submission rest with Him and not the Church! In fact the “Church” is not obedient to God, because Yehshua instructed us to teach all that HE has commanded in His Gospel, but we find the “Church” following it’s own mandate – As said before, the “Church” is its own GOD!
Well there you go… That’s what you believe get it how you live.
To each his own, but in the final analysis, God is the Final Judge. When in doubt, best to let love abound.
Amen.