The analogy of cancer to sin is readily obvious. Cancer is at first unnoticed until it grows to a size where it is apparent something isn’t quite right. Or maybe until it is large enough that it can’t be ignored. Cancer cells reproduce without ant natural mechanism to stop them. Left untreated, cancel will claim the life of its victim.
Once one has to deal with cancer, the metaphor becomes more detailed. The treatments for cancer are draconian - surgery, chemotherapy, radiation. Generally they are effective, if started early enough, at getting rid of the cancer cells. Unfortunately, the side effects are also draconian. Nearby cells, body parts, are also impacted. Surgery can remove identifiable masses, but because individual cells can travel as the cancer attempts to completely devour the body, chemo and radiation are used to kill these rogue travelers. Although they target the cancer cells, these treatments also kill innocent bystanders, cells that might have been infested surreptitiously. So after these treatments are complete, the body then has to recover from their effects, which involve months or years of physical therapy of various types.
One thing one discovers is the interconnectedness of the body. Even if the cancer is localized and the treatment is confined to that area, other parts of the body are also impacted. The human body is fearfully and wonderfully made; the circulatory system, immune system, nervous system, etc., share the impact of the treatment with parts of the body far removed from the treatment site. Doctors use the TNM system to determine treatment and prognosis. This system is based on how far the cancer has spread, both in distance and functionality.
The treatment for sin is discipline. The Lord chastens in order to correct, and to remove sin from our lives, if we cooperate. (Hebrews 12:4-11) What we learn, as this process works, is that areas of our life that we did not think would be affected by our sin, were. Because our life is also interconnected. Our secret sins impact the rest of our behaviors, choices, and actions, and infect our daily activities, thoughts, emotions, and decisions. And there is also a spiritual dimension in the unseen realm (as Michael Heiser called it) in which somehow our sins open the door to spiritual evil intrusion into our lives, blocking our prayers and encouraging the work of evil spirits in the lives of those around us.
As an example, lymphoma impacts the functioning of our immune system, but it and its treatment affect our tongue, throat, larynx, etc., reducing our ability to eat normal foods, resulting in weight loss, perhaps even requiring intubation. We can’t directly see the spiritual reality this pictures for us, but we can infer it from the way in which things go wrong that couldn’t possibly be connected.
Consider the consequences of lying. We may start with occasional, little white lies, but soon they become more frequent and more substantive. Eventually they infect our relationships with others. We get caught and people distrust us. Or we commit perjury and are formally charged. The Lord’s discipline is usually to let us reap what we sow. He may even create situations to try us, where we are more likely to be revealed. He may send fiery preachers to warn us, or expensive bills to pay. We may have trouble knowing what to say, or remembering what we told others. Lies are weak foundations, that will eventually be demolished. And similar outcomes await pride, avarice, wrath, lust, envy, gluttony and sloth, about which similar consequences could be described.
Nobody wants this. Don’t do anything that fertilizes sin in your life.
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