Is COVID-19 the sin that puts distance between man and God?

on May 2, 2024

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: COVID-19 has left an indelible mark on our way of life, causing widespread unrest in society and changes in social interactions, severely affecting human relations. Surely, it has done more damage than even the world wars. Some preachers have likened it to the sin that puts distance between man and God. Is there any validity to this perspective? – C.V.

A: Most people in their lifetime have had the flu. It causes misery – and for good reason. The flu virus invades the body making it weak and the mind weary. This is what sin does. It is a spiritual virus that has invaded our lives, making us spiritually weak, and we will never be completely free from it this side of Heaven.

This disease of the soul is sin. It causes all the troubles, confusions, and disillusionments from the beginning of time. Sin has so pervaded the human race and only God can break through sin. Through Him, we can overcome its power. Sin is like a deadly disease that infects every part of us: our bodies, our minds, our emotions, our relationships, our motives – absolutely everything. But we can have victory over it.

When we come to Christ, another spiritual power takes up residence within us: the Holy Spirit. We must take sin seriously – be on guard against it, resist its tug, and fight its power. We must rely on Him to help us defeat sin. We don’t need to be crippled any longer by the disease of sin – because God has provided the cure through His salvation. He takes the weak and makes them strong. He takes the vile and makes them clean. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, ESV).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)