Many Christians confuse suffering for righteousness and suffering affliction; suffering for Christ's sake and suffering from the enemy.

Because of this, they wrongly assume that sickness, evil, and death are “God’s granted suffering” when they’re not.

Both Paul and Peter said we are to share in Christ’s suffering.

• Philippians 3:10: “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

• 1 Peter 4:13: “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

But what did Jesus actually suffer? Persecution, betrayal, mockery, and crucifixion.

Do you ever see Jesus suffering sickness, disease, or lack? No.

So why do we call everything the suffering of Christ?

What you tolerate, you authorize.

When we mislabel suffering, we end up accepting what should be resisted.

Instead of standing against sickness, evil, and disease, we assume it’s from God—leaving ourselves open for point-blank assault from the enemy.

What a shame.

The enemy doesn't need to defeat you if he can distort your view of God.

The road to more of God's goodness is often blocked by false, religious beliefs we don't even know we have—many that are cleverly hidden in Christian language, making them harder to recognize.

Sickness, evil, and disease are not from God. James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift is from above, and John 10:10 tells us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to bring abundant life.

Sickness, evil, and disease are results of a fallen world, sin, and the enemy—not God.

If sickness is God’s will, why do we take medicine, go to doctors, or pray for healing? Wouldn’t that be fighting against God's will?

Suffering for righteousness’ sake is not from God either—it is the world’s response to those who follow Christ.

2 Timothy 3:12 says that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, and Matthew 5:10-12 reminds us that those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed.

But persecution and affliction are not the same.

Persecution comes from people rejecting Christ. Affliction comes from a fallen world, sin, and the enemy.

Are we accepting both as the same thing when they are not?

The God who weeps with you does not wound you.

God is not the author of suffering—He is the redeemer of it.

Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him, and Isaiah 61:1-3 speaks of His mission to heal the brokenhearted, set captives free, and bring beauty for ashes.

Would a good father break his child’s legs just to teach them a lesson? No. Then why do we accuse God of doing the same?

"Well, what about Job?" That's easily answered here.

"Well, what about Paul's thorn?" That wasn’t sickness, it was persecution. "Thorn in the flesh" was a Hebrew idiom similar to the modern phrase "pain in the neck." Read my blog about it here.

If suffering was God’s will, why did Jesus spend His entire ministry healing the sick, casting out demons, and setting people free?

Would a doctor prescribe medicine while also secretly poisoning his patient? If God gives sickness, but we pray for healing, aren't we contradicting His supposed will?

Jesus even said, "If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?" (Matthew 7:11).

Imagine a soldier in battle. He expects opposition, resistance, and hardship from the enemy—that’s persecution. But what if he starts attacking his own men and self, thinking it’s part of the mission?

That’s what happens when Christians wrongly accept affliction as “God’s will.”

Would you ever thank a thief for breaking into your house and stealing your valuables? No. Then why do we thank God for sickness, disease, and pain when Scripture says they are the work of the enemy?

God never sent sickness—He sent Jesus.

When Jesus walked the earth, He never once told a sick person to embrace their suffering for a greater purpose. Instead, He healed them all (Matthew 4:24, Luke 6:19, Acts 10:38)

If sickness glorifies God, why did Jesus spend so much time removing it?

Listen to my podcast teaching: Healing The Sick

1. Stop Accepting What God Never Gave – If it’s from the enemy, resist it. James 4:7 says, "Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Did you catch that? It says the devil will flee from you, not from God.

But if you believe everything that happens is God's will, you won’t resist the devil. Instead, you might attribute the enemy's work to God, allowing the devil to slip away scot-free while he continues to beat you up.

2. Recognize Persecution for What It Is – It’s a consequence of righteousness, not a work of God. 2 Corinthians 12:10 makes this clear.

3. Trust in God’s Redemption – No matter the suffering, God’s plan is always to restore, redeem, and bring life. Romans 8:28 and Isaiah 61:3 remind us of His faithfulness.

Let’s stop confusing and blaming God for the devils work. Not all suffering is holy. Persecution is expected, but sickness and evil are not from Him.

What comes from the enemy (evil, affliction, sickness) should be resisted.

What comes from God (grace, peace, strength) should be embraced.

Let's not mix them up.

Related reading:

• 10 Mislabels Keeping You Blind to God's Work (and how to see clearly!)

• Job Was Wrong—So Why Do We Still Believe It?

• Paul’s Thorn: Debunking The Myth

• Does God Create Evil? Answering Isaiah 45:7

• "God Allowed It" – The Phrase That's Twisting God's Goodness