Faith for Healing
This is written with the hope and intention to inspire faith which results in physical healing. Divine healing is an emotive subject. Probably, we all know of someone who we have earnestly prayed for, but no healing was ever forthcoming (in this mortal realm). Therefore, it’s not a black and white scenario; there is no absolute certainty that if a person follows certain steps that they will be healed. One day, we will be able to ask the Lord as to why? But for now, we must submit ourselves to His absolute authority and sovereignty and rest assured that His grace is sufficient, and He will not allow us to go through anything that we cannot bear.
It is commonly taught that all sickness originates from the devil. Well, we can see that ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, mankind has been subject to sickness and ultimately death and as we will see later many sicknesses can be directly attributed to the work of the evil one. However, when one reads the whole bible, we cannot escape the fact that sickness does appear to be manifested at the direct command of God. With the exception of what happened to Job these sicknesses are a result of judgement. (God permitted Satan to inflict Job (Job 1:12).) In most cases, repentance can result in a reversal of the situation and subsequent healing. One is reminded of Miriam, Moses’ sister who, because of her sin, was struck with leprosy (Numbers 12:10) but she was healed because of Moses repenting and interceding. Sometimes, however, repentance doesn’t work as we see when Bathsheba’s first child to king David becomes sick and ultimately dies (2 Samuel 12:14-31). There are many other examples of the Lord inflicting disease and sickness on people (again in judgement), but we haven’t time now to look at every case. When we turn to the New Testament, we also see many examples of sickness appearing to directly originate at the command of God. Look what happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. Also, we must be very careful how we approach the Lord’s table at communion. If we take communion in an un-worthy manner we run the risk of bringing judgement upon ourselves through sickness or even death! (1 Corinthians 11:30) We shudder and cannot bear to think about the awful calamity that will fall upon the earth as we read about God’s judgement that will befall the inhabitants of the earth during the Great Tribulation period. Again, the Lord is the instigator of all this sickness, disease and death.
Before we go on to take a good look at what the Scriptures do say about how Divine healing can come about. Let’s just briefly consider two more things.
Firstly, and this really involves a lot of common sense. God is so gracious, and He is willing to forgive us, and He is more than able to turn any situation around. However, we must be extremely careful and watch that we do not reap what we sow. For example, if a person continues to smoke, disregarding all warnings of the dangers, then they may suffer the consequences. Similarly, for example, if a person continues to knowingly eat the wrong things and do-little exercise etc. They may in turn have to face the resulting consequences of say diabetes or heart problems. Needless to say, also, sin and transgression of God’s Laws can often result in sickness, particularly where the sin is of a sexual nature. So, as we will shortly see, it is God’s will for every believer to be healthy, but we have a great part to play as well.
Lastly, the word ‘healing’ just doesn’t necessarily include just physical healing. It can also include spiritual healing (a restored relationship with God). It can also include mental or psychological healing and emotional healing. So often sickness is a direct result of poor thinking. For example, worry and anxiety can result in physical symptoms of say eczema or bowel troubles. Anger, bitterness and un-forgiveness may result in things like heart problems or multiple sclerosis. Feeling unloved, or excluded can result in real physical sickness too.
For the sake of balance, all the above had to be said before we can now go on and look in a really positive light, what the Bible says about healing. As we will see later, it is vital that we read and really meditate upon as many Scriptures as possible because this is where the real substance and hope of our faith comes from (Hebrews 11:1 and Romans 10:17).
HEALING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Elijah Raises the Widows Son – 1 Kings 17:17-24
The Healing of Naaman – 2 Kings 5:1-19
Elisha Raises the Shunamite’s Son – 2 Kings 4:18-37
Dead Man Comes Alive After Falling on Elisha’s Bones – 2 Kings 13:21
Hezekiah Healed and Permitted to Live Another 15 Years – 2 Kings 20:1-6
Job was made sick by Satan but the Lord restored him to full health
Healing Promised for those that Obey Him
He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” – Exodus 15:26
Here we first discover a name of God, ‘Jehovah Rophe’ – ‘I am the Lord who heals you’.
Healing Promised for those that Serve Him
Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, – Exodus 23:25
Healing Foretold in the Atonement
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. – Isaiah 53:5
Healing Promised in the Psalms
Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, – Psalm 103:2-3
He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. – Psalm 107:20
God’s “Medicine Bottle”
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. – Proverbs 4:20-22
We take God’s healing medicine (His Word) into us by way of the ear and eye and let it really penetrate our minds and hearts.
HEALING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Jesus came into the world to destroy the devils work – 1 John 3:8
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him. – Acts 10:38
Jesus came to do the Father’s will – John 5:30, John 6:38
Jesus only did what He saw the Father do, and it was actually God the Father working through Jesus. – John 10:37-38, John 14:10
We see clearly from the above that Jesus came to destroy the devils work, which therefore, must include sickness. Jesus came to do the Father’s will and that included healing the sick.
Jesus healed every person that came to him
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. – Matthew 8:16
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. – Matthew 12:15
And when the men of that place recognised Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. – Matthew 14:35-36
At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. – Luke 4:40
and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. – Luke 6:19
Jesus healed every kind of disease and sickness
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. – Matthew 4:23-24
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. – Matthew 9:35
God the Father never changes – Malachi 3:6, James 1:17
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever – Hebrews 13:8
Caution:
Jesus did not do so many miracles where people were lacking in faith – Matthew 13:58, Mark 6:5-6
HEALING MIRACLES PERFORMED BY JESUS
Man, with leprosy – Matthew 8:2-4, Mark 1:40-42
Roman centurion’s servant – Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10
Peter’s mother-in-law – Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:30-31, Luke 4:38-39
Two men from Gadara – Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-15, Luke 8:27-35
Paralysed man – Matthew 9:2-7, Mark 2:3-12, Luke 5:18-25
Woman with bleeding – Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-29, Luke 8:43-48
Two blind men – Matthew 9:27-31
Man, mute and possessed – Matthew 9:32-33
Man, with shrivelled hand – Matthew 12:10-13, Mark 3:1-5, Luke 6:6-10
Man blind, mute & possessed – Matthew 12:22, Luke 11:14
Canaanite woman’s daughter – Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30
Boy with a demon – Matthew 17:14-18, Mark 9:17-29, Luke 9:38-43
Two blind men – Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43
Deaf mute – Mark 7:31-37
Blind man at Bethsaida – Mark 8:22-26
Crippled woman – Luke 13:11-13
Man, with abnormal swelling – Luke 14:1-4
Ten men with leprosy – Luke 17:11-19
The high priest’s servant – Luke 22:50-51
Official’s son at Capernaum – John 4:46-54
Sick man at pool of Bethesda – John 5:1-9
Man born blind – John 9:1-7
Bringing the dead back to life:
Jairus’ daughter – Matthew 9:18-25, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:41-56
Widow’s son at Nain – Luke 7:11-15
Lazarus – John 11:1-44
Jesus Gave Authority & Power to His Twelve Disciples
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. – Matthew 10:1
In Matthew 10:8, Jesus commanded His disciples to:
heal the sick
raise the dead
cleanse the leper
drive out demons
He told them, “Freely you have received; freely give.”
Jesus Gave Authority & Power to Seventy-Two of His Disciples
In Luke 10:9, He tells them to, “heal the sick who are there and tell them that the kingdom of God has come near to you.”
HEALING PURCHASED FOR US BY JESUS AT HIS CRUCIFIXION
Jesus bore our sins, our infirmities and our diseases on the cross.
This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” – Matthew 8:17
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24
Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we can now have these three outcomes in our lives:
1. We can die to sins
2. We can live for righteousness
3. We can be healed
Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law – Galatians 3:13
Included in the curse of the law was every kind of sickness and disease – Deuteronomy 28:15, 21-22, 27-28, 35, 59-61
HEALING IN THE BOOK OF ACTS
Peter heals a lame beggar – Acts 3:1-16
The disciples pray for God to heal – Acts 4:30
The Apostles heal many – Acts 5:12-16
The cripple at Lystra – Acts 14:8-10
Eutychus raised from the dead – Acts 20:7-12
Paul survives a deadly snake bite – Acts 28:3-6
HEALING PROVIDED FOR US BY THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. – Romans 8:11
JESUS WANTS TO MANIFEST HIS LIFE IN OUR BODIES
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. – 2 Corinthians 4:10-11
HEALING PROVIDED FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH
In the James 5:14-16, we read:
Is any among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to prayer over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
HEALING IS IN THE WILL OF GOD FOR BELIEVERS
Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2
According to 2 Corinthians 1:19-20, we may claim “yes” and “amen” to this promise of healing.
GOD WANTS US (TODAY) TO BE INVOLVED WITH HIM IN HIM HEALING OTHERS
Just as Jesus commissioned the twelve and the seventy-two to go out and heal the sick, so He has commissioned us:
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” – Mark 16:17-18
Jesus said that a person who believes in Him would be able to the same works as Jesus did and even greater things than these (John 14:12). As we have clearly seen, healing must be included in these works. And just in case we might fall into the trap of thinking that healing was only for a previous age, in Matthew 28:20, Jesus tells us that He will be with us until the end of this age. Therefore, we can expect to do the same works as Him right up until this age comes to an end when Jesus returns.
The great commission for us as outlined in Mark 16, clearly shows us that these signs, including healing should accompany a believer who preaches the gospel (verse 15). In verse 20, we see that the early disciples were obedient and preached everywhere and thus God was able to prove that He was working with them by signs that accompanied them.
The need for the preaching of the Gospel to be included with signs of healing is also borne out by the believer’s prayer in Acts 4:29-30 which we can use as a model prayer for us today:
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
HEALING IS A GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, – 1 Corinthians 12:9
When seeking this gift of the Holy Spirit, and indeed all the gifts, one should be first filled with love and compassion (1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Matthew 14:14)
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH IN HEALING
As we read, right at the beginning, it is very advisable to read as many verses to do with healing as possible because this is the way that faith comes (Romans 10:17).
Jesus looked for faith & belief – Matthew 9:28-29, Mark 2:5, Mark 9:23, Luke 8:50
Peter explained that the healing of the lame beggar was because he had faith in the name of Jesus.
Paul saw that cripple at Lystra had faith to be healed – Acts 14:8-10
Sometimes we might struggle with our belief, but Jesus is so kind and compassionate. Do you remember when the father of the boy who kept throwing himself into a fire because of his illness (probably epilepsy) and complained to Jesus that His disciples couldn’t heal him? (Mark 9:14-29)
Well, the father admitted that he was struggling with belief that he could be healed but he asked Jesus to help him with his un-belief. Jesus was so gracious, and the boy was delivered and healed. Therefore, if anyone is struggling with in-belief, they should ask Jesus to help them.
HEALING THROUGH PRAYER & FASTING
We just read about the healing of the boy possessed by an impure spirit in Mark 9:14-29. Jesus told his disciples that sometimes prayer on its own is not enough. Sometimes prayer and fasting is required.
PRAYING FOR THE FOOD WE EAT
As a precautionary measure when seeking good health, the bible shows us the importance of prayer before meals. This takes on a whole new meaning to saying “grace” before a meal. Sometimes we think it’s just to be thankful but it’s also wise to do for protection and good health:
1 Timothy 4:5 shows us that our food is consecrated and sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
HEALING FOR THE BELIEVER IS A WIN, WIN SITUATION
And finally, if all else fails and after doing everything we know how, we find that the sickness that we have been battling with remains, and shows no sign of leaving us, we as believers in Jesus have this wonderful promise:
When we are in heaven:
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4 Amen!
