Christians and the Coronavirus

Introduction. As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic situation continues to rapidly change, we are being bombarded with all kinds of information. While some seems prudent & reasonable, other information seems contradictory, exaggerated, and/or panic-inducing. Likewise, the response of various organizations and individuals seems to be equally all over the map.

At BibleQuestions.Org, we have received several near-panic questions related to the virus, including where is the virus mentioned in the Bible, is it going to wipe out all humanity, and does this mean the end of the world.

In such uncertain times, what is a faithful Christian to do according to the scriptures?

Don’t Panic. For starters, let’s recognize the Bible doesn’t use modern medical terminology like coronavirus (2020), ebola (2014), SARS (2003), the Spanish flu (1918), the Black Death (1300’s), and such. Certainly, you can find general terms like pestilence and plague. But too often when there is some major catastrophe, people who have a “premillennial” view of the scriptures immediately assume it is a “sign of the end times”, forgetting such events are relatively common down thru the centuries (just Google “worst diseases in history” and/or see Eccl. 1:9).

Some scriptures to keep in mind include:

Gen. 8:22 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”
Matt. 24:36-39 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

Be Reminded of the Brevity of Life. Having said what I just did about the end of the world, such unsettling events are useful reminders that our lives are indeed finite. Too often we can get so caught up in our day-to-day routines that we lose sight of our own mortality. Consider:

Job 14:1 “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.”
Psalm 90:10-12 “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. … So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

Do What is Honorable. Consider Rom. 12:17:

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (KJV)
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.” (NKJV)
“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.” (NASB)

Certainly, we can easily see how that applies to complying with public health precautions (washing hands, covering your mouth, staying home if you’re sick, social distancing, don’t hoard supplies, and so on). But wouldn’t it also apply when dealing with other people who are stressed out, short-tempered, in a panic trying to get that last roll of toilet paper on the store shelf, and such?

Faithful Christians can be a source of positive encouragement to those around them during these trying times - helpful, friendly, courteous, and such. These events can also be an opportunity to guide people into talking about spiritual matters.

Matt. 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Pray. Although we hate to admit it as modern people surrounded by technology, many events are simply beyond of our control. But, as faithful Christians, we can always pray!

1 Tim. 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Of course, that requires us to get out of any “woe is me” attitude and focus on others:

Government leaders
Doctors, nurses, medical researchers, and other health care professionals
The elderly and other at-risk people
Those impacted negatively from a financial perspective with cut work hours, job closures, and such

Draw Closer to God (as Well as Your Family). With curtailed travel, business cutbacks, school closures, workers being encouraged to work from home if possible, and such, people may find they have spare time on their hands. What an excellent opportunity to spend time in God’s word as well as with your family (both physical and spiritual)!

In addition, we should not view current events as an excuse not to worship God publicly. But at the same time, conscientious Christians may be concerned when circumstances arise that threaten to disrupt public worship. For example, some Christians may feel compelled to attend, even if they don’t feel well or their medical condition puts them at elevated risk from being in public. Other Christians may get upset if any changes at all need to be made to accommodate public health safety concerns.

We know Christians are to obey civil government (Rom. 13:1-2), yet this is not without restriction (Acts 4:18-19; 5:28-29). Christians must also distinguish between scriptural patterns and matters of opinion/judgment as well as be careful how we treat one another when it comes to matters of conscience (Rom. 14:13). Or as Eph. 4:1-3 says:

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Conclusion. In many ways, it may just boil down to a matter of perspective. We need to take the “long view”. As one song says, “This world is not my home – I’m just passing thru.”

Matt. 6:25ff “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ... For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”