All Scripture quotations are from the Authorized King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise indicated.
Underlining is added to emphasize parts of statements or quotations.
November 19, 2002
THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY GUIDE TO HEALING
Published by:
THE WORD PLUS
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Copyright © 1994 by Merle E. Koepke
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Contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form,
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GOD WANTS YOU WELL
How do we know that God wants people to be well? There are many places in the Scriptures that tell us of God's desire for us to live in health. Let us take a look at just a few.
In 1 John 3:8, it says, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." God's desire is that all the works of the devil be destroyed. Therefore, God sent Jesus to destroy the works of the devil.
In Acts 10:38 it says, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Jesus was fulfilling the purpose that God sent Him into this world to do. Jesus was "healing all that were oppressed of the devil."
The Devil is the one who puts sickness and disease upon people. In Job 2:7 it says, " So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown." In Luke 13:16 Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "...ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?"
In Matthew 6:10, Jesus said to pray, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." There is no sickness or disease in heaven. In heaven our physical bodies are "immortal," meaning no death, sickness or disease in them. Our physical bodies, which we have here on earth are "mortal," meaning "death is resident in them and in the process of dying."
Man was not created with sin and death resident within him. Sin and death came when Adam and Eve obeyed the serpent and gave place to the devil in their lives. Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." From Adam and Eve on, everyone, including children, were born with sin and death resident in them. Only Jesus was born into this world without sin and death resident in Him. Therefore, Jesus came as a Man in flesh, to destroy the works of the devil.
All sickness and disease comes from the devil. God does not put sickness and disease upon anyone. In many of the English translations of the Bible it looks like God puts sickness and disease upon people who do not obey Him. But, careful study of the Hebrew and Greek will reveal that God is not the one who puts sickness and disease upon people. In Exodus 15:26, the King James Version of the Bible says, "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee." In the Hebrew, the word "brought" is translated from the Hebrew word "suwm." This same Hebrew word is translated "put" in many verses in the King James Version of the Bible, such as in Deuteronomy 7:15, which says, "And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee." Many times this Hebrew word is used "figuratively," not "literally."
The LORD did not always tell the children of Israel that it was the devil that was causing their problems. Mainly, because the LORD was teaching the children of Israel to serve God only, and none other than God. The whole focus of the Old Testament was upon getting to know God and serve Him only.
The New Testament is different in this respect. The New Testament is to teach those who are born again how to take authority over the devil and all his demons. How to walk in the likeness and image of Jesus Christ, the Second Adam (1 Cor. 15:49). How to live in the spirit, and not walk after the flesh (Rom. 8:1-4).
Therefore, there is a major difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. That is why Jesus made specific mention of "the New Covenant in His blood" the night before He was taken and judged by the Jewish high court, Herod, and Pilate. In Luke 22:19,20 it tells us,
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Jesus informed His followers that the Old Covenant was about to pass away, and a New Covenant was coming into effect. In the New Covenant, people are born again of the Word and the Spirit (1 Peter 1:23, John 3:6), and given power over all the works of the devil. This was not available to those of the Old Covenant.
Those who will live according to the teachings of the New Covenant can be free of all sickness and disease in their bodies. God has provided ways to be free. Even if a person is born with sickness or disease in their bodies, they can be made whole.
If we will study the Word of God and believe the Word of God we can be free of sickness and disease in our lives here on earth. When it comes time to leave this earth, we can "give up the ghost" and go to be with Jesus forever. It is up to each individual, what they will do about healing for their bodies here on earth.
Contents
PART I WHY GOD HEALS PEOPLE
INTRODUCTION
WHY HEALING FOR THE BODY?
WHY WILL GOD HEAL ANYONE?
UNDERSTANDING THE COVENANT
HOW TO ENTER THE COVENANT
HEALING IS A PART OF THE COVENANT
HOW TO KNOW OUR COVENANT RIGHTS
PART II HEALING IN THE BIBLE
JESUS IS THE HEALER
JESUS TAUGHT BY WORD and EXAMPLE
JESUS HEALED EVERYONE
JESUS HEALED THOSE WHO WERE NOT JEWS
SIN DID NOT STOP JESUS FROM HEALING
JESUS HEALED THE RICH AND THOSE OF HIGH SOCIETY
JESUS HEALED PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW
JESUS HEALED THOSE WHO WERE UNDER A DOCTOR'S CARE
COMPARING WHAT JESUS DID TO OTHERS IN THE BIBLE
PART III HEALING TODAY
BECAUSE OF GOD'S LOVE
HEALING AND SALVATION
HEALING ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY
UNDERSTANDING FAITH
FAITH TO RECEIVE YOUR HEALING
HEALING BY LAYING ON OF HANDS
HEALING BY CHILDLIKE FAITH
HOW TO BUILD YOUR FAITH FOR HEALING
HEALTH THROUGH PROSPERITY
KEYS TO HEALING
THROUGH THE BLOOD
SPIRIT, SOUL, & BODY
THE HOLY SPIRIT, OUR HELPER
HEALING IN THE NAME OF JESUS
WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS
HEALING BY THE WORD OF GOD
THE UNJUST JUDGE
PART IV HINDRANCES TO RECEIVING HEALING
APPLYING WISDOM TO KNOWLEDGE
DOUBT AND UNBELIEF
NOT DISCERNING THE LORD'S BODY
NOT FORGIVING OTHERS OR JUDGING OTHERS
HOW SATAN TRIES TO STOP HEALING
FELLOWSHIP WITH UNBELIEVERS
FAITH LIKE A MUSTARD SEED
FAITH OR FOOLISHNESS
TRADITIONS STOP HEALING
PRIDE PREVENTS HEALING
MURMURING AND COMPLAINING
CONTROLLING THOUGHTS
NOT ASKING GOD TO HEAL
PART V IMPORTANT FACTS
HOW TO KEEP YOUR HEALING
WHY GOD HEALS SOME NON-CHRISTIANS?
TITHING, AN ANSWER TO HEALTH & PROSPERITY
UNDERSTAND THE HOLY SPIRIT
HAVING A CLEAN HEART
HINDRANCES CAUSED BY DEMONS
SURELY GOD CANNOT LIE!
SCRIPTURE VERSES TO READ OFTEN
HEALING SCRIPTURES
PART I
WHY GOD HEALS PEOPLE
Introduction
The Bible tells us that God is Love in 1 John 4:7-8. We can see the love of God throughout the whole Bible. God's love is beyond that of any love that natural man has ever experienced. Most of us know about the love of God, but do we really understand the love of God and His grace?
I first started to see the grace and love of God when I was born again at the age of forty-five. All those years before I was a religious person, but never really understood the love of God and His grace. I belonged to a Church denomination and attended church regularly. I even taught Sunday School, was a member of Church councils, etc. Yet I really didn't know the grace and love of God for His children.
About two years after I was born again my oldest daughter was in an auto accident. Her left arm was all banged up. A large piece of steel hit the side of her car and her left arm. They called me from the hospital. They told me she was there and wanted me to come down to the hospital. As I was talking to the person who called me, I said "You are there already, the doctors are there, the nurses are there; she is twenty-five years old. If it seems that she will be there over night, call me back and I will come down."
I was very busy at the time, working on the first book I wrote, called "THE LORD SAID, TELL THEM I LOVE THEM." I wanted to keep working on that book. I didn't want to stop and do something else.
After getting off the phone certain words came from my spirit to my mind, "You better go down there." These words had nothing to do with what I was thinking about. I was concentrating upon the book I was working on. They came without me even giving any thought about going down there. Those words left an impression on my mind that I should go down to see my daughter. I looked at my watch; it was 6:30pm. I didn't go right away. Without thinking, I spoke out loud, "LORD, they will be there for at least an hour before she ever gets checked out. I'll go down there later." About 15 minutes later these words came from my spirit to my mind, "You better go there now!" I said, "Ok LORD," and I prayed with my boys and left. On the way down there these words came from my spirit to my mind, "When you get there she will be coming out and I want to heal her." When I got there her and her boyfriend were just coming out of the hospital. Her arm was in a sling, packed in ice, and she had a lot of medication in her hand.
There was no place to park my car so I asked her if she would come over to my house for a while. She said she would and I left for home. When she got to my house her boy-friend was still with her. We talked for a few minutes. Her arm was not broken, but all the muscles and tendons were damaged. The doctor had told her it would be two weeks or more before she could use her left hand and arm. She was to go back the next day for a check-up. They had given her a shot for pain, and a lot of pills to get rid of pain later, after the shot wore off. They also put it in a sling and packed it with ice.
When my daughter came over, I was in the lower level of my house, working on the book. I talked with her for a few minutes, then I asked her boy-friend to go up-stairs and send down my oldest son, then wait up-stairs until we come up. He did, and my oldest son came down. I didn't want anyone around who did not believe that Jesus would heal her arm right at that very moment when I prayed.
I said to her, "the LORD wants to heal you NOW, right here, is that Ok with you?" She said, "Sure."
I knew she wasn't living for the LORD at the time so I asked her, "First, would you pray with me and receive Jesus into your life?" She said "sure," so I prayed with her first and she accepted the LORD, as her Savior! Then I laid my hands on her and commanded healing in the name of Jesus. The LORD healed her arm 100% that very moment when I prayed.
I knew within myself that she was healed so I asked her, "did you feel anything?" She said, "it feels kinda funny." I said, "take your arm out of the sling and bend it up." She did. Then I said, "now straighten it out," and she did. Then I said, "now bend it all the way to the right," and she did. Then I said, "now bend it all the way to the left" and as she did a smile came on her face and she said, "Dad, it doesn't even hurt." I said, "I know, the LORD just healed it for you!" Her face lit up, she was so happy, we just praised the LORD for healing her.
She went back to work the very next day. She never lost a day of work. She was a key-punch operator and needed the use of her left hand. By the love of God, the LORD healed her.
The LORD loved my daughter, even though at the time she wasn't living for Him. She was living her own life, doing her own thing. But the love and grace of God is for every one who will accept it.
Why would the LORD heal her? It is simple, God loves everyone, and by His grace anyone can be healed through faith. All the faith it took for my daughter to be healed was to accept the fact that the LORD wanted to heal her. When she accepted that truth, that's all it took. When I asked her, "Is that Ok with you?" She said "sure." When I commanded healing in the name of Jesus, the LORD healed her completely at that very moment. She didn't have to wait for her healing, it was done and complete the minute I commanded it in Jesus' name.
Very few people know that the LORD wants to heal every person of every sickness and disease in their bodies. It doesn't make any difference if they are born again or not. By the love of God, Jesus paid the price for healing on the cross of Calvary. That price was paid for all human beings, not just for some, not just for Christians; but for everyone. As Christians, we must renew our minds to think the way God thinks, and act the way God acts. When we understand the love and grace of God we will understand that the LORD wants to heal everyone, of every sickness and disease (Matt. 4:23, 8:16, 9:35, 15:30, Luke 4:40, 6:17,18, 9:11).
There was a day when there were a number of people over at my house for teaching. During the teaching we realized that two people had one arm shorter than the other. One was a woman the other was a man. We did everything we could to be sure that they were different lengths. After being sure one arm was actually shorter than the other, they asked me to pray with them that their arms would come out to the right length.
The LORD knows it is not good to go around with one arm shorter than the other because it can cause you to have back and neck problems. Many people often catch colds from one arm being shorter than the other. Getting their arms both the right length usually corrects this problem also. God wants us to be in good physical health, without any physical or mental problems. That's why the LORD told us to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. Mark 16:17-18 says,
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
That's the LORD's Word, and His Word is truth. He speaks the truth when He speaks. I learned from this experience something all Christians should know; that is, it does not say believe in their minds. We learn from other statements that Jesus made; He is really talking about believing in our heart, (which is not our natural mind).
When they asked me to pray with them (in my mind), I felt they were foolish. After all, there was a Pastor there who I was sure could do a better job of praying than I could. I said to them, "what about the Pastor here? Why not let him pray, he knows what to do." But they insisted that I pray for them.
In my mind I was saying, you people are foolish. If I pray, nothing will happen. There is no way with me praying that those arms will come out. After all, the Word of God says in Mark 16:17 "...these signs shall follow them that believe." To me, that meant I must believe (in my mind) and be totally convinced that they would actually come out when I prayed in order for them to come out. I was one hundred percent positive (in my mind), that they would not come out when I prayed. I never prayed for physical healing for anyone before this and I was sure this would not work if I did the praying.
I didn't tell them I was sure (in my mind) it would not work, after all, I was supposed to be a believer like the rest of them. I knew what it said in Mark 16:17, that we must believe. I knew Jesus would not lie, yet I was afraid to tell them I didn't believe it would work; so I didn't say anything to them about me not believing (in my mind).
I put may hands under the woman's hands as she stretched out her arms toward me. I started to pray in the Spirit first. After about a minute or so of praying in the Spirit, I was still sure that it would not work. But, I had to continue on. I went that far so I had to keep going. I said, "In the name of Jesus, I command these arms to come out to the same length; in Jesus' name." It wasn't easy to say those words, especially when (in my mind) I knew it wasn't going to work.
Oh! what a surprise when I watched the short arm come out to the length of the other arm. In my mind I was saying, this cannot be, it cannot be true. Yet, it came out right in front of me. I was standing there watching it come out. Then, just to be sure, because I still didn't believe it would happen I ask her to check it again the way she did before I prayed. She said, "why, I felt it come out," but she checked it anyway and it was the right length. Praise God!
Then the man came to have me pray for him. This time I checked his arms first a little closer, making sure, beyond all doubt that they were not the same length. The one was shorter than the other. Now, I had no choice. I had to pray for his arm because he just saw the woman's arm come out. I was on the spot, I couldn't tell him that it would not work, even though I was sure it would not happen a second time. Maybe once, but never twice! Again I was one hundred percent sure (in my mind) that nothing was going to happen. I would pray and they would stay the same. I was sure of that. Yet I had to pray for him. I was on the spot with no other choice but to pray like I did for the woman.
Once again I prayed, holding my hands under his. I prayed in the Spirit first for about a minute, then still not believing (in my mind) that it would work I said, "In the name of Jesus I command these arms to come out to the right length, in Jesus' name." Just like the woman's arm, his also came out to the same length as the other one. Praise the LORD!
Today I understand better what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell us in Romans where He says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Rom. 12:2) If we have our mind conformed to this world we know, beyond all doubt, that arms do not come out just by speaking words to them in the Name of Jesus. But, if we renew our mind on the Word of God, we find that it works just like it says it will work. We must renew our minds to think the way God thinks in His Word. Then we will "prove that which is good and acceptable and perfect will of God." It was the will of God for these arms to be the right length. But, to get them the right length we cannot always operate according to a mind that is operating in conformity to this world. The Word of God works, just like it says it does; if we do what it says we should do.
Following that evening, as I was praying to the LORD, He made it known to me that it is not the natural mind that does the believing. We have a new spirit within us once we are born again. We still have our natural mind. But, it is our spirit that does the believing when we pray, not our natural mind. All we have to do is train our natural mind to listen to our spirit. Don't let our natural mind stop us from doing what the Word of God tells us to do.
We must not let our mind be conformed to this world and stop the spirit inside from acting on the Word of God. The Spirit is willing, if we do not let our mind stop us from doing what the Word of God tells us to do. In other words, don't expect to wait until you are sure in your mind it's going to work. If you keep waiting for that, you may never see the day when the laying on of hands will work for you.
The better you know the Word of God, the easier it will be to lay hands on the sick. No matter how well you know the Word of God, your mind is not always going to agree with you when it comes to doing the things of God.
The devil will always try to stop us from doing the will of God by blinding our minds (2 Cor. 4:4). We must bring every thought under subjection to the Word of God (2 Cor. 10:5). This is how we overcome the devil and the world. When we overcome the devil by refusing to accept the thoughts he puts in our minds, then God will manifest His Word in our lives.
Thank God for His Word. His Word is true! We need to daily renew our mind on His Word and do what His Word tells us to do.
The information contained in this book will help you to receive your healing, if you read it carefully, meditate upon the truth from the Word of God, and receive your healing by grace through faith.
WHY HEALING FOR THE BODY?
Healing for the physical bodies of all mankind was provided for us through Christ's redemptive work on the Cross of Calvary. Yes, Jesus paid the price for our sins with His precious blood; "...not for our sins only, but for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). How was it done? Jesus, Himself took our sins; "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor. 5:21).
Jesus took our sins upon Himself, and by the sacrifice of His blood on Calvary He paid the price for us. This is the salvation from sin purchased for us by Jesus Christ. It is for the whole world; yet effective only for those who will receive it.
This same salvation on the Cross of Calvary included healing for our bodies, not for ours only; but for the whole world by the stripes Jesus bore for us. Healing is for the whole world, yet only effective for those who will receive it.
For too long, Satan has blinded the minds of much of the body of Christ to the truth concerning healing for our bodies. Salvation starts with knowledge; information on what God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Through His Word, the Bible, God has informed us of His will for all people. Speaking of God, it says in 1 Timothy 2:4; "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." Salvation is for all men everywhere, "Whosoever will, let him come!" (Rev. 22:17). Salvation is made available to mankind by knowledge of the truth.
There is much said throughout the Word of God concerning healing for our bodies. Yet, this attack of Satan against our bodies is still gone unchallenged by many Christians. Among those who have been called into the body of Christ, there is much need for knowledge of the truth when it comes to healing; which God has provided for us in Christ Jesus.
Just as much as the church has come against sin within the body of Christ, we need also to come against sickness and disease within the body of Christ. Both are included in the work of redemption. Both are works of the devil that must be destroyed through knowledge of the truth.
Throughout the Old and New Testament, healing for the physical body was spoken of as a part of salvation. God is just as much concerned about healing our physical bodies as He is about saving us from sin. God placed them both together on the Cross of Calvary.
In as much as God wants us set free of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ, He also wants us set free of sickness and disease by the body of Jesus Christ. There are three major things that God did for man on the Cross of Calvary.
(1) He bore our curses for us, "for cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." (Gal. 3:13).
(2) He provided forgiveness of sins through the shed blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:7).
(3) He purchased healing for our bodies, by the stripes He bore; "He took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses" (Isa. 53:4-5, Matt. 8:17, 1 Peter 2:24).
Many of the children of God have been hindered from doing the work of the ministry because of physical sickness or disease in their bodies, not knowing that they could be free by the salvation that Jesus purchased for them.
Careful study of this subject will bring forth the knowledge of what God has already provided for us in Christ Jesus.
There is no place in the Scriptures where the LORD did not heal any person who came to Him for healing. Every person, throughout the whole Bible that came to the LORD for healing received their healing. This is evidence itself, that it is the will of God to heal all who will come to Him.
The major reason most Christians are not healed is because of a lack of knowledge of the truth of the Word of God. In 1 Corinthians 11:29-30, it tells us that many are sickly and many have fallen asleep because of not rightly discerning the LORD'S body.
Within the body of Christ there are many members, all are important, that the body may perform that which the LORD so desires. It is important, that those who have knowledge in certain areas, concerning the work of the ministry; that they share it with those who are not as knowledgeable in that area. That is, that all may benefit and the whole body may be strengthened to do the work of the ministry. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, it says, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." There are teachers put into the body to teach healing. There are also gifts of healings put into the body to administer healing.
The LORD is very much concerned about our physical health. He paid the price for it. He want's His body, the church, free of sickness and disease.
Therefore, let us join together and come against the work of the devil within the physical bodies of those within the body of Christ; that Jesus may be glorified in our bodies also.
WHY WILL THE LORD HEAL ANYONE?
The LORD healed people under the Old Covenant and today we have a much better covenant with God (Hebrews 8:6-13). Therefore, He also heals people today, by His grace through faith.
The LORD will heal anyone. Sickness and disease is not from God, they are of this world. The LORD has power over everything in this world, and we can experience that power of God in our lives if we will receive it by grace through faith.
Let's look at some of the things the LORD did for man in the Old Testament along the line of healing. In Genesis 20:17, it says, "So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children." Abraham prayed to God, and God healed this man, his wife, and his maidservants. God answered the prayer of Abraham. Abraham prayed according to the covenant the LORD had made with him.
Remember, the LORD made a covenant with Abraham and his seed after him. In Genesis 17:1-2 it says,
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties whereby they commit themselves to do something for the other. As long as the two parties do not break the covenant it stands as it is so declared at the time it is made. Here in Chapter 17, the LORD, the Almighty God, the God of all creation, is making a covenant with a man, named Abram. Let's go on and see more of this covenant.
In verse seven it says, "And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee." (Gen. 17:7) Here the LORD extended this covenant to the seed of Abraham, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto all who are included in the covenant. To all who are the seed of Abraham, the LORD will be their God.
Notice, this covenant was an everlasting covenant. This covenant was before the covenant of the Law of Moses and the children of Israel (Israel pertains to the children of Jacob). The LORD, the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, would be a God to all the seed of Abraham.
Today we are living in a time where the covenant of Abraham is still in effect. It is explained in Galatians 3:16 saying, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Then in Galatians 3:29 it says, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Galatians 3:17 says, "And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect." This means the covenant the LORD made with Abraham was before the Law of Moses, and the Law of Moses could not change the covenant the LORD made with Abraham and his seed.
UNDERSTANDING THE COVENANT
The LORD said to Abraham,
This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant (Gen. 17:10-14).
A covenant is only in effect as long as both parties stay in covenant; do not break the covenant. Remember the covenant of the Law of Moses is no longer in effect because the children of Israel broke that covenant (Jer. 31:32). The covenant of the Law of Moses was for all generations of the children of Israel. Some were still living at the time of Jesus, others had not yet been born into this world. Jesus fulfilled the Law for all of them. In Matthew 5:17,18 it says,
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The Gentiles were never under that Law. The covenant the children of Israel had with the LORD through Abraham was not made known among all nations during those years. Even though, a few Gentiles did benefit from it by believing God.
Rahab, the harlot, believed in God. Rahab and the members of her household were saved (Joshua 3:9-13, 6:25). Naaman, a captain of the Syrian army was healed by believing the words of Elisha under the covenant the LORD made with Abraham (2 Kings 5:9-10,14).
The covenant the LORD made with Abraham come upon the New Testament Gentiles through Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:16). Jesus is the seed of Abraham through which the covenant of Abraham come upon the Gentiles. We enter this covenant by faith in Jesus Christ, and the Word of God.
Jesus fulfilled the covenant of the Law for the children of Israel that they may also could come under the same covenant with the Gentiles through Christ, the seed of Abraham. Galatians 3:26-28 says,
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Remember, Abraham was a Gentile himself when the LORD made the covenant with him. The covenant of the Law was not made with Abraham, but with the children of Israel over four-hundred years later. Today, there is only one covenant by which all people can be saved, that is the New Covenant, sealed by the blood of Jesus.
When Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized it says,
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matt. 4:14-17).
The covenant of the Law of Moses was made between the LORD and the children of Israel (between the LORD and man). Therefore, to fulfill the Law it had to be done by the LORD working with man. The LORD doing His part and man doing his part. Therefore, Jesus, the LORD, the Son of God came in the flesh (as the Son of Man), born of a woman, to fulfill the Law for all of the children of Israel. Jesus was a man in the flesh (yet without sin; for He was born of the Holy Spirit and Mary). He was a Jew, of the tribe of Judah, of the Children of Israel.
Without God (the Holy Spirit), working with Jesus He could not have fulfilled the covenant for the children of Israel. The promise of the Holy Spirit was made to Abraham, a Gentile. This promise was to come through Jesus Christ. It says in Galatians 3:14, "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." The Law of Moses came after the covenant with Abraham, and was only as a schoolmaster until faith came. Galatians 3:23-25 says,
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Now, being justified by faith, neither Jews or Gentiles are any longer under the Law of Moses.
For the covenant to be fulfilled it had to be a working agreement between the LORD and man working together as one. Therefore, Jesus, as the Son of man needed the Holy Spirit working with Him to fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law. Jesus received the Holy Spirit, following His baptism by John the Baptist.
The evening before Jesus was crucified on the Cross He made reference to the New Covenant that would come into effect following His death and resurrection. In Luke 22:20 it says, "Likewise also (Jesus took) the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you" (Luke 22:20). The New Testament Covenant is sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
While hanging on the Cross of Calvary the apostle John tells us in John 19:28,30,
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. . .
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses for every Jew in covenant with the LORD under the Law. Therefore the New Covenant, established upon new and better promises (Heb. 8:6-13), came into effect for all of those in Christ, who thereby become the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:29).
We must understand that a covenant must be kept between the two parties for it to be in effect. The covenant between Abraham and his seed must still be kept by both parties. To keep our part of the covenant we must be circumcised (not in the flesh, but in the heart) (Rom. 2:29).
Circumcision must be in the heart. For in the spirit there is neither male or female. Yet both males and females must be circumcised are under the same covenant. Man's part of the seal of the covenant is circumcision. God's part of the seal is "the Holy Spirit" and "the blood of Jesus." It says in Galatians 3:27-29,
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The evidence of "circumcision of the heart" is the keeping of His (Jesus) commandments.
Circumcision of the heart means that God must be our God. We must love the LORD our God with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our might. We must separate ourselves from the world, to be like Jesus, serving God will all our heart. We cannot serve two masters the God of heaven and the god of this world. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
When the things of this world become more important to us then God, the love of the Father is not in us. In 1 John 2:15 it says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." When we love the world more than God, we break the first commandment of our LORD. Jesus said in Mark 12:30, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
There is another major difference between the old covenant and the new covenant; that is, the old covenant of the law was made between the LORD, Who was in the Spirit and natural man in the flesh. The new covenant is between "Christ" and God's born again children (born of the Spirit, in Christ). Therefore, it is the spirit of man that is to rule the flesh of man. Not the flesh ruling the new created spirit of man.
Paul called this new spirit man, "the inner man" in Ephesians 3:16 and "the inward man" in 2 Corinthians 4:16. We enter into this new covenant by receiving a new spirit, born again into the family of God. We became like Jesus, bearing His spiritual image. In 1 Corinthians. 15:49 it says, "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."
The covenant the LORD made with Abraham and the children of Israel was made between the LORD and natural men. The new covenant is between the LORD and those in Christ, "born of the Spirit." The living relationship Jesus had with the Father was a spiritual relationship. Jesus was the Son of God in the Spirit, and the Son of man in the flesh. All that Jesus did in fulfilling the will of God; He did from His spirit, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit sent to Him by the Father. Man cannot do the will of God without the help of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore the working relationship of the covenant is completed through the Spirit. A child of God working with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus came into this world "a living Spirit man," born in the flesh (born of God in the flesh, without sin). Whereas all other children come into this world "born of sinful flesh." Then, when they receive Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior they become born again of the Spirit, by this, they become children of God.
The New Covenant we have with the LORD is different than the Old Covenant the LORD had with Israel. In the old covenant the children of Israel operated from their natural mind, and human abilities; while the LORD intervened on their behalf (according to His Word). By this, those who opposed the Children of Israel, and opposed the Law of Moses, were put to death. Armies were destroyed, men, women, and children were put to death.
Under the new covenant it is not that way. We do not put people to death because they disobey the laws of God. We pray for them that they be set free of the spiritual powers of darkness (the work of Satan and his demons) that cause them to disobey the laws of God.
During the teaching of the new covenant by Jesus, His disciples were familiar with the way the LORD dealt with those opposed to His law. When the Samaritans did not receive the preparation for Jesus to enter Jerusalem from Samaria, the apostles, James and John said,
Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
But he (Jesus) turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.
And they went to another village (Luke 9:54-56).
Under the new covenant, the LORD does not use physical force against those who oppose Him or His children. God is Spirit, and His children are "in the spirit of Christ," operating from the spirit, not the flesh (Rom. 8:9). The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4,
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;).
There is no recording in the New Testament of any of God's children using physical force against those who oppose the LORD or the children of God. Even though, those opposing the saints used physical force against them. Many saints were put into prison, stoned, put to death, etc. by those opposing them; yet, none of the saints used any physical force against those who opposed them. Why? The use of physical force is not a part of the New Covenant for the children of God (we do not fight with physical means, our weapons are not physical, but mighty through God in the spirit).
Our new covenant is far greater, and far better than the old covenant. Being new creatures in Christ, we operate in the spiritual realm, while living also in bodies of flesh. In the new covenant our enemy is the devil and his demons, not people. God loves people, even those who are controlled by the devil. We are here in this world to set them free of the control of the devil and demons. This is the major difference between the New Testament and the Old Testament. The Old Testament was for those who were natural men, the New Testament "is for those" who are born of the Spirit, in the likeness and image of Christ (Acts 17:28,29, 1 Cor. 15:49).
Our eyes and attention should be focused upon spiritual things, not natural things. This is why Jesus said,
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it (Luke 9:23-24).
Denying self means to forsake the things of this world for the things of the "spiritual" kingdom of God. Our desires are not for the things of this world, but "to serve God in the spiritual realm of life."
We are to control the world by means of prayer and taking authority "in the name of Jesus" over those things that oppose the will of God. Casting out demons, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, etc. But, most of all, helping natural people receive the new birth in Christ Jesus, helping new born children of God receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. These things are more important than the things of this world.
These are the things you will find the apostles doing in the book of Acts, as well as teaching and instructing new Christians how to live in the kingdom of God under the New Covenant. The main emphasis of the New Testament is, be born of the Spirit (John 3:6,7), and live in the spirit (Rom. 8:9).
Covenant relationship with God obligates God to answer our prayers when prayed in faith according to the New Covenant. Every prayer prayed in faith to God by a Christian will be answered. God is not a respecter of persons. God cannot lie, He will answer the prayer of anyone in covenant with Him, who prays according to His will (1 John 5:14-15).
No matter what our circumstance may be, God is obligated to answer our prayer as long as we are walking in covenant with Him. This is one of the greatest "benefits" we have on earth by being in covenant with God.
HOW TO ENTER THE NEW COVENANT
How does anyone become Christ's (Gal. 3:29), to enter into the covenant of Abraham? We enter by becoming born again into the family of God. By receiving Jesus Christ as LORD.
Just as the serpent deceived Eve in the garden of Eden; by telling her there is another way to be as God, so have many been deceived into believing there is another way to enter into the New Covenant. The serpent told Eve she could become as God by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Whereas the LORD told man he could eat of the tree of life. Adam was told not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for it would produce death, not life. In Genesis 2:16,17 it says,
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Among many who call themselves Christians today, they believe they can be born again by water baptism, or infant baptism. Then, once a person is infant baptized, or water baptized they are told they are Christians. This deception leads many into eternal damnation in hell, for they never received Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. Some believe that their god-mother or god-father did it for them. Some believe that because some priest of pastor prayed over them when they were baptized as an infant that they are children of God. This is not true, and it will cause many to die and go to hell, because they did not receive Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior themselves.
The Bible tells us in John 1:10-13,
He (Jesus, Who is the LORD) was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons (children) of God, to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The serpent told Eve there is another way (which was a lie), for there is only One Way to enter into the family of God, that way is to receive Jesus Christ into your life personally, as your LORD and Savior: Each person must receive Jesus themselves (personally) to become born again of the Spirit. The is no other way. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). No one comes to the Father except by Jesus (John 14:6).
The covenant of Abraham was not between God the Father and Abraham, it was between the LORD and Abraham. All throughout the Old Testament Jesus was "the LORD." Acts 2:36 tells us, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." God the Father made Jesus both LORD and Christ. All things were created by Jesus. John 1:3 says, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." Colossians 1:16 says, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." John 1:10 says, "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not."
The Holy Spirit worked with Jesus and through Jesus in the creation of all things. It was by the power of the Spirit of God that all things manifest in the natural. The Holy Spirit is the power of God, that brings the Word of God to pass.
When a person believes the Word of God (not the serpent that Eve believed, nor the religious people of today), and receives Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior, the Holy Spirit makes them a new creature in Christ Jesus. John 1:13 says, "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, BUT OF GOD!" God, the Holy Spirit gives us the new birth. John 3:6 explains this by saying, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Our first birth into this world is of the flesh, but our new birth (born again spirit), is of the Spirit of God.
In the new birth, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God work together to bring us into the family of God. In 1 Peter 1:23, it says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." Therefore, we are born again of the Word of God and the Spirit of God, making us children of God. We must receive the Word of God before the Spirit of God can make us a new creature in Christ.
Jesus is the Word of God that manifests in our flesh. John 1:1,2 tells us,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
This is speaking of Jesus, Who was the with God, and was God with the Father and the Holy Spirit right from the beginning. This same Jesus, Who was with the Father from the beginning became flesh. John 1:14 tells us, "And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." The Holy Spirit caused Mary to become pregnant with Jesus, and He was born into this world as the Son of Man and the Son of God. Just as Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit and Mary, we are born of the Word of God and the Spirit of God into the family of God.
It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that those who receive Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior are born again into the family of God. Jesus is called "Christ" (the Anointed One). Those who are in "the Anointed One" are members of His body, which is also called "the body of Christ." If we are members of His body then we are Abraham's, seed and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29 says, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
The covenant of Abraham for us today is called the New Covenant. Which is revealed in what is called the New Testament. Therefore the way to enter into this covenant is revealed first in John 3:16, which says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This believing should come from our heart, not just idle words from our mouth. The promise to enter into the New Covenant is explained in John 1:11-13, which says, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (Not by the will of another person, but by our own free will). When our free will and the will of God agree (John 3:16), we become born again of the Spirit of God. The will of God is "everlasting life for those who believe on Jesus Christ, His Son."
It says, "as many as received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God." Then it says, "Which were born of God." Once we receive Jesus Christ as LORD we belong to Christ, we are His. When we become Christ's we are included in the covenant the LORD made with Abraham.
If you, or anyone you know is not born again into the New Covenant, into the family of God, they can be right now. God is always waiting to respond to those who will receive His Son, Jesus, as their LORD and Savior. This must be an act of each individuals own will not by the will of others.
Pray from your heart! Mean what you say! Don't just say words that sound good to your mind and the minds of those around you. Mean business with God and He will answer your prayer.
Say a Prayer Like This, Out Loud:
"LORD Jesus, I know that You are the Son of God. I know that You died on the cross for me. I know that God raised You from the dead. Jesus, I ask You to come into my life, live Your life in me. Jesus, Let Your will be done in me; let the will of God be done in my life as it was in Your life. I surrender my life to You, Jesus! You lead me by Your Spirit and I follow to the best of my ability. I will live for You all the days of my life, as You lead me by Your Spirit.
Jesus, forgive me of all my sins, wash me clean in Your blood; that I may be the righteousness of God in You. Thank You, Jesus!
I receive You NOW, as my LORD and SAVIOR for all eternity. I will be with You here on earth, and I will be with You in heaven, forever and ever. I will give You all the Glory. It is for You that I will live forever. Amen."
Once a person has prayed to the LORD from their heart, asking Him to become their LORD and Savior, they are born again into the family of God. The LORD always, receives whosoever will ask (John 16:23-24). The LORD never says no to anyone who will ask, according to His Word.
HEALING IS A PART OF THE COVENANT
Abraham understood his covenant rights with God when he prayed for Abimelech. God kept His part of the covenant, when Abraham prayed in faith, God healed Abimelech, his wife and maidservants. Many of the prophets, kings, and priests knew and understood the covenant God made with Abraham concerning healing for their bodies. All throughout the Old Testament from Exodus to Malachi healing is mentioned.
One of the greatest examples of healing under this covenant is in Exodus 12:3-13. What God told the children of Israel is a part of the covenant that God had made with Abraham. This covenant included all the seed of Abraham.
Everyone who is of the seed of Abraham is included in the covenant concerning healing. Keep in mind that what happened in Exodus Chapter twelve was before the Law, which was given in Exodus Chapter twenty. Also understand that God spoke to the children of Israel concerning healing before the Law was given. In Exodus, Chapter fifteen, between the crossing of the Red sea and their coming to mount Sinai, God said, "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put (permit) none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought (permitted) upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee" (Exodus 15:26). Therefore, we must conclude that healing came before the covenant of the Law at Mount Sinai.
Going back to Exodus 12:3-13, there are three important factors concerning the lamb that was to be slain. First, the body of the lamb would be prepared whole, (not a bone to be broken, the head and the legs still in tact).
Second, the blood of the lamb would be placed over the door post and on both sides of the door, and on the threshold. Whosoever was in the house that had the blood over the door would live and not die.
A third important fact that was established is that they had to be ready to leave Egypt, their loins girded, their shoes on their feet, and their staff in their hand; ready to go! (Healing comes at the very moment a person is ready to receive it).
Exodus 12:36-38 says, ". . .And they spoiled the Egyptians. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle."
The beautiful part of this whole story is explained in Psalm 105:36-37, saying, "He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes." The Good News Bible says, "Then he led the Israelites out; they carried silver and gold, and all of them were healthy and strong."
Can you vision in your mind, six hundred thousand men, besides women and children leaving Egypt and not one feeble (or sick) person among them? This is a demonstration of the love, grace, and power of our God, to heal all that are afflicted with sickness or disease. Another great thing about this large multitude that the LORD set free was that the LORD did not require that each one first confess all their sins to become perfect before Him.
The BLOOD of the lamb was shed for their sins. The BODY of the lamb was given for the physical healing of their bodies. That's why there was not one feeble one among them.
The children of Israel received healing for their bodies because they partook of the BODY of the lamb that was slain the night of the Passover. They did this believing what Moses and Aaron said to them. They were ready to receive deliverance from Egypt.
All of this great move of God in the lives of the children of Israel was done under the covenant the LORD made with Abraham. The LORD said to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14, ". . .Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not their's, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance."
The children of Israel came out before the covenant of the Law of Moses was made. They were under the same covenant the LORD made with Abraham as we are in Christ. Our covenant today is even a much better covenant; in that, the Blood of Jesus Christ is shed for our sins, and the Body of Jesus Christ is given for our healing.
Matthew 8:17 says, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Jesus Christ took upon Himself our sicknesses. 1 Peter 2:24 says, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
Matthew and Peter both received their information from Isaiah 53:5, which says, "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." King David spoke of God healing by His Word in Psalm 107:20, saying, "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Proverbs 4:20-22 speaks of the Word of the LORD bringing health to all our flesh. It says, "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."
Healing has always been a part of the Covenant that God made with Abraham and his seed, which is Christ. All who are in Christ, are heirs of the covenant.
HOW TO KNOW OUR COVENANT RIGHTS
One way to get to know our covenant rights is to watch what Jesus said and did while on this earth. Jesus knew the will of the Father. Jesus did the will of the Father. Jesus knew the covenant rights of those who were God's Children. When Jesus healed on the Sabbath day, He did it under the covenant that God made with Abraham before the Law of Moses, which the Law after the covenant could not change (Gal. 3:17).
Our covenant rights are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit within us. The promise that God made to Abraham, that should come upon the Gentiles was "the promise of the Holy Spirit" Galatians 3:14 says, "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." It is through the Spirit that we receive the revelation knowledge of our covenant rights.
Our covenant rights are "spiritual rights" concerning "spiritual authority in heavenly places." Ephesians 1:3 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." When we know our covenant rights and use the name of Jesus against the spirits of darkness "they must leave!" They have no choice! They must obey our commands to them to leave!
The Apostle Paul knew his covenant rights. As he used the name of Jesus the demons left. The sons of Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priest, either didn't know their covenant rights, or they had not entered the New Covenant through the new birth. When they tried to use the name of Jesus against a man in whom there was an evil spirit it did not work (Acts 19:13-16).
Our covenant rights, "using the name of Jesus" is only for the New Testament believer. It was not for the Jews under the Old Covenant. The Jews of the Old Covenant were not born again, in Christ Jesus. They were natural men, as Adam, descendants of Adam only, not born of the Spirit (1 Cor. 15:44-50).
During the interim period (about three and one-half years) before Jesus died on the Cross some men were able to use "the name of Jesus" effectively against evil spirits. Yet, it only worked for those who Jesus authorized, or gave them power to use His name, which included the twelve disciples in Matthew, Chapter Ten, and the seventy disciples in Luke, Chapter Ten. Before that time, no one used the name of Jesus to cast out devils.
Today, the name of Jesus works for those in covenant with God through the new birth. Yet the most effective use of the name of Jesus comes when it is inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit within a person, first "born of the Spirit," and then "filled with the Spirit." The power to operate in the spirit, against spirits, comes after a person is filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 says, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..." Before the Holy Spirit comes upon a person they do not have that power. A witness unto Jesus is one that does the works that Jesus did.
It is following the baptism in the Holy Spirit that men received revelation knowledge of spiritual things in the New Covenant. It is the Spirit within us that makes the wisdom of God understood. In 1 Corinthians 2:10-14 it says,
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Under the New Covenant, the natural man does not know the things of the Spirit.
The new covenant includes the baptism in the Holy Spirit for all who will believe (Mark 16:16-17, John 14:15-17, Acts 1:4-5, 2:4). This is a part of the New Covenant already mentioned in the Old Testament in Ezekiel 36:26-27, which says,
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
There is a difference between the New Covenant and the Old Covenant. There is a difference between what was spoken by the prophets of the Old Covenant and what was understood by those who spoke them. They spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, not from their natural understanding. Even though the prophets spoke the Words of God, and prophesied what was to come, they did not necessarily understand what God was saying through them.
The Apostle Paul explained this by telling us "they were mysteries," which were hidden, that even the princes of this world did not know. For if they had known they would not have crucified the LORD of Glory (1 Cor. 2:7-8). The Jewish leaders did not know the mysteries, or hidden wisdom of God, concerning the prophecies of old.
The natural man cannot know the things of the Spirit for they are spiritually discerned. Therefore, to know our covenant rights, we need the baptism in the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, (not only with us). He will reveal the hidden wisdom of God to us.
The Holy Spirit is also God. He is God within us; teaching us, helping us, comforting us, and leading us. He is sent from the Father and Jesus to carry on the work and teaching of Jesus (Acts 1:1-2). To know our covenant rights, and to live in covenant with God, we must have the Holy Spirit within us.
If you know someone, or if you yourself have not received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, you can receive Him today. All that is required is that you must already be born again into the family of God. If you are one of God's children you can receive the Holy Spirit just for the asking (Luke 11:13).
God is love. He wants you to have the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Say a prayer like the following, believing in your heart on what God has promised you in His Word and you will receive.
"Jesus, You said in Mark 16:17, that in Your name I can cast out devils.
Satan, in the name of Jesus' I cast you out of my mind. You have no authority over my mind. My mind is clear of all demonic oppression in Jesus' name.
Father, according to Your Word in Luke 11:13, You promised me the Holy Spirit if I ask. Father, I am now asking You to give me the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in Your heavenly language. I receive Him from You now, in Jesus' name."
Now, start speaking and the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say!
Continue to pray in your new tongue. As you pray in the Spirit you have fellowship with the Holy Spirit. As you study, searching the Scriptures, and meditate upon the Word of God you have fellowship with the Father and the Son. Continue therein day and night and you will obtain the perfect walk with God, in His Word, led by His Spirit.
A very important aspect of praying in the Holy Spirit (praying in the Spirit) is the building up of your faith. Jude 1:20 says, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost."
Understand, the reason for Jude's writing to the body of Christ is to inform us why the faith that was once delivered to the saints is not today what it was at the time of the first apostles. In Jude, he explains "what it is" that caused others to creep into the church unawares by saying, "These are the people who cause divisions, who are controlled by their natural desires, who do not have the Spirit" (Jude 1:19, GNB).
To do the will of God one must have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. We cannot do the will of God under the New Covenant from our natural mind. For it is the Holy Spirit that is in control of the gifts of the Spirit needed to do the will of God on earth (1 Cor. 12:7-12). It is the Holy Spirit that leads the Christians (Rom. 8:14), and that teaches the Christians (1 John 2:27).
Don't be mislead by another gospel as the Galatians were (Gal. 3:1-5). There are those today, even as there were at the time of the Apostle Paul and Jude who will try to tell you, you don't need the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Beware, if you are offended by this last statement, you may have another spirit, not the Holy Spirit putting thoughts in your mind. Get rid of it and receive only from the Holy Spirit that which is truth. For the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). Don't let other spirits rob you of such a great blessing, the blessing promised to the Gentiles through Abraham and Christ (Gal. 3:14).
The Holy Spirit is the one who will make known to you "your covenant rights."
PART II
HEALING IN THE BIBLE
JESUS IS THE HEALER
You will notice throughout the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that it says, "And He (meaning JESUS), healed them." Jesus is "the Word of God" manifested in the flesh (John 1:1-2, 1 John 1:1-2). In Psalm 107:20 it says, "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." God sent Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son in the flesh, manifesting His Word, which includes healing and deliverance from any destruction caused by the devil.
The LORD healed in the Old Testament. It says in Exodus 15:26, ". . . I am the LORD that healeth thee."
In Hebrews 13:8 it says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
All who came to Jesus for healing received their healing. Jesus healed everyone who came to Him for healing. You too! Can be healed if you come to Jesus for healing. He still heals today the same as He always healed, yesterday, today, and forever!
As we read the accounts given of Jesus let us come to the understanding that Jesus Christ is the healer. This is very plainly seen by what is said of Jesus in each of these accounts. Many times it says "and He healed them." Always indicating that it was Jesus who did the healing.
This does not mean that Jesus is greater than the Father. Jesus Himself said, "My Father is greater than I" (John 14:28). It doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit does not have the power to heal. It tell us in 1 Corinthians 12:9 "the gifts of healing are by the Holy Spirit as He wills." But God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power to do the healing. Jesus did no healing until after He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power. Even though Jesus always was the Son of God. Jesus did not live on this earth as God. Jesus lived and did what He did as the Son of Man. Jesus was a man, born of a woman, in the flesh (yet without sin). The ability of Jesus to do the mighty works that He did came when He was filled (anointed) with the Holy Spirit and power. It was Jesus, working with the Holy Spirit, that gave Him the power to heal.
In Acts 10:38 it says, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."
The words "Jesus of Nazareth" identifies Jesus as the son of Mary, a man, born of a woman into this world, (in the flesh, yet without sin).
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit to heal all that were oppressed of the devil. Sickness is oppression of the devil. Jesus was anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
In Acts 2:36 it says, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
God made Jesus "Christ." Christ means "the anointed One." Jesus is the anointed One to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
It also says that God made Jesus "LORD." LORD means, "supreme in authority." Abraham recognized one of the three that came to him before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as LORD. Abraham was already in covenant with the LORD at that time. In Exodus 15:26 it says, ". . .I am the LORD that healeth thee."
The LORD Jesus Christ, is the healer, ordained by God. God made Jesus of Nazareth both LORD and Christ.
Jesus, being made LORD (Supreme authority), gave to His followers authority to use His name against all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Mark 16:17). Being LORD, He is the supreme authority of all things in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth. Philippians 2:9-11 says, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Don't let religious theory enter your mind, trying to analyze the Word of God. Jesus is LORD and Christ today. He is all that the Word of God says He is. His name is powerful. In Jesus' name sickness and disease must go. Everything must bow to the name of Jesus. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John show that every sickness, every disease, every demon or devil did bow to the name of Jesus. If they did then they will also do it now, today. The name of Jesus is just as powerful today as it was then.
Jesus is the healer, and His name is powerful against all manner of sickness and all manner of disease and every work of demons or the devil. Once we have it settled in our mind and heart who Jesus Christ is, He is the healer of our bodies, and we look to Him in faith for our healing we will be healed.
Healing is by grace through faith. The Scripture says, in John 1:17, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." We are living in the time of grace and truth. So by GRACE, you can now receive the TRUTH from the Word of God, and from the teachings of Jesus Christ as He walked on this earth; doing the will of God the Father.
To know our covenant rights, we must know the Truth; the LORD Jesus Christ by His teachings and His actions on earth. Remember, we are the seed of Abraham through Christ. We are members of Christ's body, the church. We are heirs to the promises of God through Christ (Rom. 8:17). Through the teachings of Jesus, and what He did on earth, we can know our covenant rights to healing for our bodies.
JESUS TAUGHT BY WORD and EXAMPLE
Matthew 4:23-24 says,
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Jesus healed all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Jesus healed all the sick people that were brought to Him.
Matthew 8:5-10,13 says,
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. . . And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Matthew 8:14-16 says,
And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
Mark 1:30-34 also tells of Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law.
Matthew 9:2-7 says,
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house.
Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26 also tell of the same account.
Matthew 9:20-22 says,
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Mark 5:25-34 and Luke 8:43-48 also tell of the same account.
Matthew 9:35 says, "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."
Matthew tells us that Jesus lived on this earth as the Son of man, knowing and doing the will of God. The religious people always tried to tempt Him, that they might accuse Him of doing something against God. The law concerning the Sabbath day was the one law they tried to accuse Him of breaking the most. On the Sabbath day, Jesus made a very profound statement about Himself. Jesus said, "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." It goes on to say,
And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. . . Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all. (Matt. 12:8-10,13-15)
Matthew 12:22 says, "Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw."
Matthew 14:14 says, "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick."
Matthew 15:30 says, "And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them."
Matthew 19:2 says, "And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there."
Matthew 21:14 says, "And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them."
Mark 1:40-42 says,
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Mark 3:10 says, "For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues."
Mark 5:22-23,35-42 says,
And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live . . . While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
Luke 8:41-42,49-56 gives the same account.
Mark 6:1-6 says,
And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Mark 6:54-56 says,
And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
Mark 10:46-52 says,
And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Luke 4:40 says, "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them."
Luke 5:12-13 says,
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
Luke 6:17-19 says,
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
Luke 7:2-10 says,
And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
Luke 9:11 says, "And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing."
Luke 13:11-16 says
And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Luke 14:1-4 says,
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go.
Luke 17:12-19 says,
And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Luke 18:35-43 says,
And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
Luke 22:51 says, "And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him."
John 4:46-53 says,
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
John 5:2-9 says,
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. . . . And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
John 9:1-7 says,
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
JESUS HEALED EVERYONE
In Matthew 4:23 it says that Jesus went about all Galilee ". . .healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." This shows us that no matter what kind of sickness or what kind of disease a person has, Jesus can and will heal us. There is no sickness or disease that Jesus will not heal. He will heal ALL SICKNESS AND ALL DISEASE.
Matthew 8:16 says, Jesus "...healed all that were sick." All means "everyone that was sick." It didn't make any difference why they were sick. It didn't make any difference who it was that was sick. Jesus healed all that were sick.
Matthew 12:14-15 says, "Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all." It didn't make any difference how difficult the religious people made it for Jesus, He still continued to heal all that were sick, even by great multitudes.
Matthew 14:14 says, "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick." Jesus has a great compassion toward those who are sick, He wants to heal them.
Matthew 15:30 says, "And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them." It didn't make any difference to Jesus what kind of sickness they had, lame, blind, dumb, maimed and many others; He healed them all by the multitudes.
Matthew 19:2 says, "And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there." All who followed Jesus, even great multitudes were healed.
Matthew 21:14 says, "And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them." It didn't make any difference to Jesus if it was on the hillside, on the way to another place or even in the temple; all who came to Him, He healed them.
Mark 5:22 through 42 tells us that, it didn't make any difference to Jesus even if they were already dead, Jesus still healed them and they rose up and walked.
Mark 6:54 through 56 tells us that ". . .as many as touched him were made whole." Just the touching of Jesus garment was all it took to receive healing. As many means, "everyone" who touched Him was made whole.
Luke 4:40 says, "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them."
Luke 6:17 through 19 tells us that great multitudes came to hear Jesus and be healed of their diseases, and they were all healed. He healed them all.
Luke 9:11 tells us that Jesus ". . .healed them that had need of healing."
JESUS HEALED THOSE WHO
WERE NOT JEWS
In Matthew 8:5-13, it tells of a centurion who came to Jesus because of his sick servant. Jesus said of this centurion, He had not found so great a faith in all of Israel. Jesus spoke the Word and his servant was healed that very same hour.
Luke 7:2-10 tells us of a centurion that sent the elders of the Jews to Jesus, beseeching Him that He would heal his sick servant. When Jesus was not far from the house the centurion sent friends to Jesus that He would just speak the Word and his servant would be healed. Jesus spoke the Word. When the friends of the centurion returned to the house they found that the servant was healed.
Matthew 15:22-28 tells us of a woman of Canaan that came to Jesus because of her daughter who was grievously vexed with a devil. In verse twenty-eight it says, "Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."
Mark 7:24-30 tells of a woman who was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation, who came to Jesus because of her daughter who as afflicted by a devil. Verses 27-30 says, "But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed."
Even though she was not a child of Israel, Jesus still cast the devil out of her daughter.
SIN DID NOT STOP JESUS FROM HEALING
Matthew 9:2-7 tells us of a man sick of the palsy; that was brought to Jesus lying on a bed. It says,
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house.
This same account is recorded in Mark 2:1-12.
We must remember that the blood of Jesus was shed for the sins of the whole world. Everyone's sins are under the blood of Jesus. This was declared from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8). All a person has to do is accept what Jesus has done for them.
John 9:1-11 tells us of a man born blind. When the disciples asked about sin; Jesus did not take into account who sinned, He just healed the man of his blindness; that the works of God might be done in him.
God does not look upon sins of the past to stop us from being healed. Jesus already paid for our past sins. The LORD looks to His Word, His covenants that He made with His children through Abraham and the body of Christ, the seed of Abraham.
Sin is fellowship with the devil. If a Christian had fellowship with the devil in the past, that sin is under the blood. Yet, living in sin, (fellowship with the devil) will prevent a Christian from receiving healing. For more information on this subject see Part IV, HINDRANCES TO RECEIVING HEALING.
JESUS HEALED THE RICH AND THOSE OF HIGH SOCIETY
John 4:46-53 says,
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
The nobleman went to Jesus and besought Him that He would heal his son. Verse fifty says, "Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way." It tells us that his son was healed that very same hour.
Mark 5:21-43 tells of a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus by name, who came to Jesus because his daughter was sick at the point of death.
And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Before Jesus got to Jairus' house his daughter was already dead. Jesus prayed for her and she arose from the dead and walked. Luke 8:41-42,49-56 gives the same account of Jairus' daughter being raised from the dead and healed.
JESUS HEALED PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW
Matthew 8:14-15 says, "And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them."
Mark 1:29-31 says,
And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
JESUS HEALED THOSE WHO WERE UNDER A DOCTOR'S CARE
Mark 5:25-30 tells us,
And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? Verse thirty-four says, And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
Luke 8:43-48 tells us of the same account. This woman spent all her living upon physicians and was not any better. She had this disease for twelve years, and went to many physicians but they could not help her. It didn't make any difference if she went to physicians or took medication or not, Jesus still healed her. Jesus said to the woman, ". . .thy faith hath made thee whole. . ."
Doctors and medication cannot stop the LORD from healing. It doesn't make any difference if a person is under the care of a doctor or not. The Word of God works either way, under the care of a doctor or not. It doesn't make any difference if a person is on medication or not. The Word of God works either way, with medication or without medication.
Medication is only a means of supplying something the body needs at the time. Food is also a means of supplying what the body needs at the time. A person who needs food would not stop eating to receive from God; although fasting is a way to reach into the spirit realm at times. Medication cannot stop a person from receiving healing. Therefore, stopping from taking medication is not a way to receive healing. Healing is received by grace through faith, not of works. To stop taking medication could be an act of personal works. Personal works will not heal anyone. If our faith is in God and His Word we will receive healing, medication or no medication. If our faith is in medication we may or may not be healed.
A person can, at times, receive healing by medication, this is the world's system. But, God's perfect will is by faith. Healing by faith is freely given to all who will believe. Therefore, faith is always better. Faith is God's way, by His grace and His Word. Faith is a sure way of receiving healing. Medication or no medication, doctor or no doctor; God's Word always works.
John 5:2-9 tells us of a man by the pool of Bethesda who was lying on a bed. He had an infirmity for thirty-eight years. Verse six says, "When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?" Verses eight and nine says, "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath." It says, ". . .immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked." It didn't make any difference how long the man was sick, or why he was sick, or if he was under a doctors care, or on medication, or not. Jesus healed him by His Word.
Notice about the man at the pool of Bethesda, it says "immediately the man was made whole." The second thing to notice is that, "immediately the man took up his bed and walked." Faith has an immediate response. When faith is there, immediately there is a response. Therefore, God is looking for those who are ready and willing to receive their healing.
Remember the children of Israel, just before leaving Egypt? The had their loins girded, their shoes on their feet, and their staff in their hand, ready to leave the bondage of Egypt forever. That is the way faith works. The man at the pool of Bethesda had faith, and immediately he took up his bed and walked. Be ready for the healing power of God to work in you the moment you pray.
Luke 7:12-15 tells us of a widow whose only son had already died. Jesus had compassion on her and raised her son from the dead. It says,
Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
In Mark 5:22-42 it tells of a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus by name, whose daughter was sick, nigh unto death. By the time Jesus got there she was already dead. Sickness caused her death.
Sickness is not the will of God; but healing is. Jesus is the Healer, He is the Word of God manifested in the flesh. The Word of God is here to destroy sickness and death.
God is not the author of sickness. God's Word is the healer. Sickness is a work of the devil (Job 2:6-7). Death is a work of the devil. 1 Corinthians 15:26 says, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." If death is an enemy than it is not from God. If death comes by sickness then sickness is not from God. Sickness is the devils way of bringing about death. Both are enemies of God, and the children of God.
A child of God doesn't have to be sick to go to be with the LORD. They can just lay down their life, give up the ghost, and go to be with the LORD. When Abraham was full of years, he gave up the ghost; and went to be with God. He was not sick. He died at a good old age; an old man, and full of years. Genesis 25:7,8 says,
And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.
Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
When Isaac died it says in Genesis 35:28,29,
And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.
And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
When Jacob died it says in Genesis 49:33, "And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people." Christians do not have to be sick to give up the ghost. Sickness unto death is a way of letting Satan help someone to leave their body. Why let Satan help? Why not let God help instead? He is our Father, not Satan. Jesus is the healer, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; not the death. Follow Jesus, not Satan.
Abraham is our example, for we are in covenant with God through Abraham and Christ, the seed of Abraham. Even though Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob gave up the ghost and died, Jesus said,
But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him (Luke 20:36-37).
Don't be deceived and let Satan put sickness upon you unto death. If you are sick, receive your healing by grace through faith. Then, if you want to go to be with the LORD, just simply give up the ghost and go to be with Jesus. You don't have to be sick to go to be with Jesus. Receive your healing first. Then go to be with the LORD.
To Jesus, you could be a person of high office, a religious leader, the mother-in-law of an apostle, a person under a doctor's care, a person on medication, a rich person, a poor person, or a widow. No matter who you are JESUS WILL HEAL YOU! It is His will. It is His Father's will. It should be your will also. Let Jesus heal you, then decide when you want to go to be with Him.
COMPARING WHAT JESUS DID
TO OTHERS IN THE BIBLE
In Mark 7:25-30, Jesus answered the prayer of the Greek woman, a Syrophenician by nation, and cast the devil out of her daughter. In 2 Kings 5:1-14, Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria was healed of leprosy.
In Mark 5:22-42, Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus, from the dead. In Luke 7:11-15, Jesus raised the son of a widow woman from the dead. In John 11:1-44, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. In 2 Kings 4:18-37, Elisha raised the son of a woman from the dead. In Acts 9:32-41, Peter raised a woman by the name of Dorcas from the dead. In Acts 20:9-10, Paul raised a young man by the name of Eutychus from the dead.
In Matthew 8:5-13, the centurion's servant was healed when Jesus spoke the Word. In Acts 14:8-10, a crippled man was healed as Paul spoke the Word.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus healed many by the multitudes. In Exodus 12:37-38, and Psalm 105:36-37, it tells us that God healed a multitude of the children of Israel as they left Egypt following the passover. In Acts 5:16, a multitude of sick folks were healed as the shadow of Peter passed by.
God will confirm His Word through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Followers of Jesus saw healing continue among those who believed after His death and resurrection.
In Acts 3:2-9, a man was healed at the gate Beautiful, as Peter commanded healing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. In Acts 5:12-16, multitudes were healed as Peter passed by. In Acts 8:5-13, many were healed as Philip preached the gospel in Samaria. In Acts 14:8-10, a man crippled from his mother's womb was healed when Paul spoke the Word. In Acts 28:8-9 the father of Publius was healed as Paul laid his hands on him.
PART III
HEALING TODAY
BECAUSE OF GOD'S LOVE
In 1 John 4:7-8 it says, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." The love of God is beyond the natural human understanding. To understand the love of God a person must be born again. Even after a person is born again it still takes a whole lifetime to come to the understanding of God's love.
If only man could understand the love of God, their fellowship with God would bring them to a daily living in the love, grace, and mercy of our Great, Almighty God.
Some of the things that could help us to understand the love of God is to meditate upon the following facts:
(1) God created man in His own likeness and image (Gen. 1:27).
No other creature in all of creation was created in the likeness and image of God. The angels before us, as wonderful and powerful as they are, are created even lower than man. Psalm 8:4-5 says, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels (Elohiym), and hast crowned him with glory and honour." In the original Hebrew it says, "a little lower than (Elohiym), God."
Through our LORD Jesus Christ we have power over Satan and all his demons. Luke 10:19 says, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Jesus gave us power to cast out devils. In Mark 16:17 it says, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils. . ." Jesus is very confident in saying that believers will cast out devils in His name.
Oh the love of God! That He would create us so wonderfully; giving us such a position, and power over the devil and his followers.
Even yourself, no matter how insignificant you feel you are, you have power over the devil if you are in Christ? This power comes through the Holy Spirit who abides in you if you are baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5,8).
(2) Before the foundation of the world, God chose us to become His children in Christ Jesus. In Ephesians 1:4-5, it says, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." It was God's choice, not ours. He chose us, we didn't choose Him. In John 15:16, Jesus said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. . . " Oh the love, that God in Christ Jesus would choose us before we chose Him.
(3) God promised man eternal life by grace before the world began. In 2 Timothy 1:9, it says, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." Oh the love of God to plan, even before the world began, and before we were born, to extend His grace to us in Christ Jesus.
(4) Before the foundation of this world God declared the "Lamb of God" slain for our sins and healing of our bodies (1 Peter 1:19-20, Rev. 13:8). Healing was a part of the work of Christ on the cross of Calvary.
Oh the love of God. Knowing the devil and his followers were in the world even before man was created, God made provision for man to be free of the works of the devil through the body and blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Jesus took our sins upon Himself and by His stripes we are healed! This was all declared before man was created. That's Love, the love of God.
Let's look at some of the other Scriptures that express the love of God for us:
(1) "God so loved the (whole) world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe on Him should have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
(2) God, Himself dwells in those who receive Jesus as LORD. In John 14:23 Jesus said, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." In John 17:23, Jesus said, "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." In 2 John 1:9 it says, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."
(3) The LORD forgives us our sins for His own sake. In Isaiah 43:25 it says, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."
(4) If we confess our sins, God continues to forgive us and remembers our sins no more. In 1 John 1:9 it says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In Hebrews 8:12 it says, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." In Hebrews 10:17 it says, "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
(5) God blesses those who walk by faith like Abraham. In Genesis 12:3 it says, "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." In Galatians 3:7,9,29 it says, "Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. . . So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. . . And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
(6) God gives the Holy Spirit as a Helper, Guide, Comforter, and Teacher to those of His children who ask. In Luke 11:13 it says, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
HEALING AND SALVATION
Many people today have very little understanding of all that is included in "salvation." The clear meaning of the word "saved" is unknown to many.
Strong's Concordance definition of salvation is from the Greek word "SOTERIA." Included in the meaning of SOTERIA is, "rescue or safety, deliver, health, save, saving." SOTERIA comes from the Greek word "SOZO." Included in the meaning of SOZO is "deliver or protect, heal, preserve, save, make whole."
Vines Dictionary of Biblical Words definition of salvation includes "deliverance, preservation, safety, and health." The word "saved" in Vines includes "deliverance and preservation from danger, suffering, and sickness."
Webster's Dictionary definition of the word "salvation" includes "saving or being saved from danger, evil, difficulty, destruction, or the consequence of sin." The word "save" in Webster's Dictionary includes "to rescue or preserve from harm, danger, injury, or loss; to make or keep safe; to keep in health and well-being; to protect."
No matter where we look up the words "saved and salvation" they include health and healing.
Peter was quoting Joel in Acts 2:21 when he said, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Let us look in the Bible at what Joel said; "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered. . ." (Joel 2:32).
The words "saved and delivered" have the same meaning. Healing is deliverance from the works of the devil. Saved is deliverance from the works of the devil.
Jesus also used the word saved in connection with the healing of a blind man, it says in Luke 18:42-43,
And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says,
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Understanding this truth we can much easier understand the teachings of Jesus and why He did what He did during His walk on this earth. Keep in mind that Jesus healed everyone who came to Him for healing. Jesus said in Matthew 18:11, "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." Jesus saved that which was lost. Jesus healed everyone of every manner of sickness and every manner of disease. Health for our bodies was one thing that was lost.
The Word of God says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered" (Joel 2:32). In Acts 2:21 it says, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" How is it done? The Bible tells us it is done By grace through faith! (Eph. 2:8-9).
Grace and works are opposite of each other. "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work" (Rom. 11:6). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9).
Complete salvation under the new covenant begins with being born again. Being born again pertains to the spirit of man.
When we receive eternal life, we enter into the family of God. Many speak of man being saved when he is born again because it says, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." (Col. 1:13). Yet, we enter the family of God through our born again experience. In Acts 2:47 it says, "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." You will notice they were added to the Church, which is the LORD body on earth. Yet, they still needed to be saved. Why, because the new birth is only the beginning of salvation. There is still a process to continue "until the whole spirit, soul, and body are saved (preserved until the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ" (1 Thes. 5:23)).
In John 3:3,5 Jesus said,
...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . .
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus was already born of the water when he was born in the flesh. Therefore, Jesus said in John 3:6-7,
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The old spirit of man is not saved, it is instantly replaced by a new spirit, and we become a new creature in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." We become "one spirit with the LORD" (1 Cor. 6:17), a living child of God the Father, in Christ Jesus.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will (Eph. 1:4,5).
The process of salvation continues until we leave this earth for our heavenly home. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). The work Paul is talking about here is not by our good works, but by reverential fear and obedience to the living God of all creation.
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him (Heb. 2:1-3).
The process of salvation continues to the saving of our soul and bodies from the works of the devil. To the end that "...the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thes. 5:23).
It takes a willing obedience on our part for God to work His salvation in and through us. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).
Salvation requires our working together with God to the saving of our bodies and soul.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom. 12:1,2).
Healing for our bodies is provided for us in the New Covenant. It is obtained through a renewing of our mind to the terms and conditions of the New Covenant.
There is great opposition to our complete salvation by the works of the devil. Yet, Jesus said in Matthew 24:13, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Therefore, while we are on this earth we must strive for that high calling in Christ Jesus; which includes, freedom from all the works of the devil in our lives. Salvation is complete when we completely overcome the world and the devil in our lives, and go to be with Jesus in heaven.
HEALING ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY
When we speak of healing we must understand what was accomplished for the children of God on the Cross of Calvary. In Psalm 107:20 it says, "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." The word "healed" pertains to our physical bodies. It says, "God sent His Word." In John 1:1-2 it says,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
Then in John 1:14 it says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Jesus is the Word of God manifest in this world. When the Scriptures speak of "sending the Word of God," the Word and the Son of God are the same Person, and have the same purpose; that is, to accomplish the will of God on this earth.
In the Old Testament we have the Word of God being spoken into the world. In the New Testament we have the spoken Word of God being fulfilled (accomplishing that which was spoken). God spoke of healing in His Word. Jesus healed according to God's Word. God sent Jesus Christ, and He healed them. Jesus healed all that came to Him for healing.
Jesus not only healed them, but He also delivered them from their destructions, (saved them). Delivered and saved come from the same word, many times they have the same meaning.
One reason there is so much sickness among born again Christians is that they do not believe the Word of God. They let religious people tell them Psalm 107:20 does not pertain to their physical body. When they don't believe it means healing for their physical body they don't receive healing. We receive from God according to what we believe.
In Isaiah 53:4-5 it says,
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
This is the Word of God spoken into the world at the time of Isaiah the prophet. Isaiah prophesied the Word of God. God said in Isaiah 55:11, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." What God spoke through His prophets in the Old Testament came to pass in the New Testament.
The New Testament is conformation of the Word of God spoken in the Old Testament. In Matthew 8:17 it says, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."
At the time Jesus walked on this earth as the Son of Man, He healed every manner of sickness and every manner of disease. He healed everyone who came to Him for healing. He healed them by the multitudes. Why? Because it was the Word of God spoken by Isaiah the prophet (God's Word had already gone out of His mouth and it accomplished and prospered where ever Jesus went). At that time already, Jesus took their infirmities and bare their sickness Himself. God had already declared this done from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8).
By the Word of God spoken by Isaiah, and by seeing what Jesus did during His life on earth we can have faith in the Word of God. But for us today, it says in 1 Peter 2:24 "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." Knowing that the Word of God is true, seeing it accomplished in the lives of those living at the time Jesus walked on this earth, we can have faith in that which Peter spoke. Peter said, "Jesus bore our sins in His body on the tree." The Tree is the Cross of Calvary. On the Cross of Calvary Jesus bore our sins in His own body.
Peter did not stop there, he continued to say, "By whose stripes we were healed." That means the stripes that Jesus received before He was crucified on the Cross, were for the healing of our bodies. Now both Matthew and Peter were apostles that walked with Jesus for three and one-half years, before Jesus died on the Cross. Matthew made it clear what Isaiah spoke in saying,
When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses (Matt. 8:16,17).
He took our sins so we could receive forgiveness of sins. He took our sicknesses and diseases so we could be free of sickness and disease.
Jesus, in speaking of salvation, made this statement in John 3:14, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up." Why did Moses lift up the serpent in the wilderness? In Numbers 21:4-9, it tells the children of Israel murmured against the LORD and Moses, because of the dry places where there was no water and no bread. Because of this murmuring there was sent among them fiery serpents which bit the people. Many people died because of the bites of the fiery serpents. Murmuring against God is sin. Sin brings sickness, sickness results in death.
Therefore, in Numbers 21:7-9 it says,
Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
The serpents came because of sin. Sin caused sickness and death. Yet, between the time of sickness, before death, if a person would look upon the serpent on the pole he would be healed and not die. The serpent was raised up for one purpose, to bring healing to the bodies of those who were bitten by the fiery serpents. The serpent on the pole was a symbol of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Yet, they did receive healing at that time, the same as they received deliverance from Egypt following the Passover. When the lambs were slain, the flesh of the lambs were eaten, and the blood placed over the door and on the side posts of each house where the children of Israel were staying that night. We call these things (the flesh and blood of lambs, the serpent on the pole, etc.) types and shadows of things to come.
Jesus used this as a type and shadow of Himself being raised up on the Cross of Calvary. If we will confess we have sinned and look to Jesus on the Cross, not only would our sins be forgiven, but we can receive healing to our bodies as well.
Even the medical profession of today, many who are not Christians, display the symbol of a serpent on a staff. That symbol stands for healing for the bodies of those who are sick.
When healing is sought for, look to the Cross of Calvary. For on the Cross of Calvary, Jesus bore our sickness, diseases, and infirmities that come against our bodies. "By His stripes we are healed." The Cross is the symbol for healing of sickness, disease, and infirmities as well as for our sins.
By the love of God this was all accomplished on the Cross of Calvary, thousands of years before you and I were even born into this world. Healing was already accomplished for you and I on the Cross of Calvary. God poured out His love in Jesus when He took our sicknesses and diseases upon Himself, that we could be free of all sickness and disease. It is free to all who will receive it "by grace through faith."
Oh the love of God! Let us take a closer look at what was accomplished on the Cross of Calvary. The Old Testament gives us a type and shadow of things to come. What worked in the Old Testament in the natural as a type and shadow for the New Testament still works today.
Remember, God is love. In Exodus 12:3-24 it says, God said to Moses,
Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:. . . Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
This had to be a lamb, not a bullock, which under the Law was later used for a sin offering. It had to be of the sheep or of the goats only. The lamb had to be a male of the first year; a lamb who was still in the prime of his life, not old and full of years. The lamb had to be without blemish, no evidence of any infirmity, sickness or disease.
This lamb was a type and shadow of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The lamb was killed and the body of the lamb was eaten the night of the passover.
Exodus 12:7 says, "And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it."
The blood of the lamb was placed up and down on the sides of the door of the house and over the top of the door. The angel of death (an evil spirit from the devil, the destroyer) passed over the land of Egypt that night. But it says in Exodus 12:23, "For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you." When the LORD saw the blood the angle of death could not kill anyone within the house, whether they be children of Israel or a stranger to the children of Israel. Anyone in the house with the blood of the lamb was not harmed by the angel of death.
Exodus 12:8,9 says,
And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. . .
The lamb had to be left whole, not a bone broken, and the flesh of the lamb was to be eaten that night. Remember what Jesus said in John 6:53? It says, "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." The body of the lamb at the time of the passover was truly representative of the body of Jesus.
Then it says in Exodus 12:11, "And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's passover. . ." When they ate of the body of the lamb they had to have their loins girded, their shoes on their feet, their staff in their hand; ready to walk out of Egypt (ready to receive their deliverance), totally set free of all of Egypt's bondages. The children of Israel had to be ready to receive their deliverance, their salvation.
Exodus 12:13 says, "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you. . ." The blood would be the sign to the angel of death; a sign that they were under the protection of the blood; declared by God. No harm could come to those in the house with the blood over the door post. Everyone under the blood was protected, whether they were born of the children of Israel, slaves purchased by the children of Israel, or even a stranger from another country, nation, land, even an Egyptian who believed the words of Moses and Aaron. In the house they were all under the blood, protected and delivered from any harm which could come near them.
Exodus 12:15,19-20 says,
Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
The unleavened bread was very important along with the body and the blood of the lamb. Bread with leaven is full of air. Air which does not add anything of value to the bread. It can cause the bread to spoil and become of no value. Leaven in bread only puffs up the bread and makes it look like it is good, but it does not leave the bread with its true nature.
Remember what Jesus said to His disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees? Matthew 16:6 ". . .Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." Then in Matthew 16:11-12 it says, Jesus said,
How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
To the children of Israel, God concluded His instructions in Exodus 12:24, by saying, "And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever."
Oh the love of God, for the children of Israel followed God's instructions. It says in Exodus 12:28-38
And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
Then in Psalm 105:36-37 it says, "He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes."
This is a demonstration of the love of God for all who will follow His instructions. Do not follow the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Believe in the completed work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. Be ready to receive deliverance from all sickness and disease.
Jesus Himself, and His disciples kept the passover. In Luke 22:7 it says, "Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat."
Then it says in Luke 22:15-20,
And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
The unleavened bread represented the Truth of the Gospel, no doctrine or theory added or mixed in. Jesus used the unleavened bread and broke it saying, "This is my body which is given for you." Why was His body given? It is for the healing of our bodies. For those who have eaten of the unleavened bread, the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can set them free.
When Jesus walked on this earth as the Son man; He did the will of the Father. In doing the will of the Father He treated sickness and disease the same as He treated sin. To the man with the palsy, that was let down through the roof on a bed, it says in Mark 2:5-9, Jesus said,
. . .Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Why doth this man speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"
Jesus said to them, "Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
It was the leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees and Sadducees that caused the scribes to question the way Jesus taught and did the will of God. When Jesus dealt with the subject of sins He did it according to what He said in Matthew 12:31-32. It says,
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
When Jesus dealt with sickness and disease He treated it the same way. The Bible tells us, He healed all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. He healed multitudes of every sickness and every disease.
In John 9:1-7 it says,
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
The disciples asked Jesus a question, who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind? Jesus answer was simply, "neither!" To Jesus it was not a matter of who sinned, but rather that He came to do the works of the Father Who sent Him. Sickness and disease are works of the devil. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. In 1 John 3:8 it says, ". . . For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
It is the leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees and the Sadducees that prevents many from receiving their healing from sickness and disease. Teachings by any religious person, whether they be a priest, pastor, evangelist, teacher or who they are; that does not believe in the total and complete healing of every manner of sickness and every manner of disease of every child of God, has an element of the leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees and Sadducees working in their lives.
Christians need to separate themselves from the leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus said, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." Anyone who does not believe in the completed work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary is an unbeliever. Either they believe or they do not believe. Our instructions from God in regards to unbelievers is, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. . .Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD. . ." (2 Cor. 6:14,17).
Our total healing was paid for on the Cross of Calvary, right along with our total forgiveness of all manner of sin, except blaspheme of the Holy Spirit.
God said to the children of Israel in Exodus 12:19, "Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land."
This could be the main reason why so many Christians do not receive their healing today. They are partaking of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees doctrines. By doing so, they cut themselves off from the blessing of healing for their bodies. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
Jesus body was given on the Cross of Calvary for the total healing of our bodies, "by His stripes we are healed."
The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:23-30,
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
For what cause? The main reason Paul gave for Christians to be sickly and die of sickness is not discerning the LORD's body which is the body of Christ (others who are also born again into the family of God). The subject of Paul's writing concerning the discerning of the LORD's body started in 1 Corinthians 11:18, where he wrote, "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it." Those who do not consider others in the LORD as equal to them, will have difficulties in receiving their healing. This not discerning others as members of the same body of Christ cause strife and divisions within the body of Christ. Strife and divisions are a work of the devil (James 3:14,16).
For years the church has received forgiveness of sins, DAILY, according to what is written in 1 John 1:7-10. It says,
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
If we say, we have no sin, we lie. The truth is, we have sin in our lives; BUT, the Blood of Jesus and the Word of God cleanse us from all sin. When we believe this, it works just as it says in the Word of God. God is faithful and just and does cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we believe it, it is accomplished in our lives.
What about healing for our bodies? Why doesn't the church do the same for healing? God's Word says we should. God's Word says it works, just like forgiveness of sins.
Sin, sickness, and disease are all works of the devil. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil for us. Jesus accomplished all He came to do. The works of the devil are destroyed for all who will believe.
If we look to the accomplished work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary the way the Word of God teaches we will receive healing the same way we receive forgiveness of sins. When there is evidence of sin in our lives, we confess our sins and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
What about sickness and disease? We do not deny that sickness and disease do exist. Every person that Jesus healed was sick. Not one of them said they were not sick. Jesus said they were sick. Jesus never said they were not sick. The truth is, they were sick and Jesus healed them. If they were not sick they would not need healing.
We confess to God that sickness or disease does exist in our bodies when there is confirmed evidence of sickness or disease. (That is, when by neglect, lack of knowledge, or otherwise we permitted it to be so). Then, believing in the accomplished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, we receive healing by His grace and mercy through faith. Faith in His Word. Believing His Word. Rejecting any thoughts from the devil that cause unbelief. First, confess our need to God the Father. Second, receive healing in the name of Jesus. Third, reject all attempts of the devil to cause unbelief in the Word of God. In Jesus' own words He said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you" (John 16:23). Whatsoever includes healing for your body.
Oh how simple God has made it for us if we would only believe and not let religious people steal the Word of God from us. The important thing about receiving healing by the body of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary is:
Understand, the sickness is there; if a person is blind, they are blind, they cannot see. If a person has a disease, the disease is there, they know it is there. In Matthew 9:12, it says, "But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." This Scripture has a two-fold meaning. Jesus used this as an illustration to the Pharisees, religious people, who thought themselves righteous and would not associate with those who they felt were not righteous. Jesus explained, "those who are righteous do not have any need for Him. He came to bring righteousness to those who were not righteous." The sad thing about the Pharisees is that they believed they were righteous and were deceived. For the Scripture had already said in Psalm 14:3, "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Everyone from Adam on needed a Savior, for there are none that are righteous in themselves.
The same applies to those who are sick, we need a healer, we need healing for our bodies. Therefore, the LORD is not only our righteousness, "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), He is also our healer. For the Pharisees as well as for us today, it already said in Exodus 15:26, "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee."
Yet the Word of God is true, Jesus already bore our sickness and diseases in His own body on Calvary. If He already did this, and we are in Him, then by His stripes we were healed. This is all past tense, already done. We do not walk by sight, we walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7), now we are between two, do we have sickness in our bodies or do we not? The answer is Yes, and No. Yes we had sickness, it came upon us and manifest in our flesh. Until we do something about it, it will remain. Jesus already did His part for us, He bore our sickness and disease in His body on the Cross of Calvary. Now, we must receive that which is ours by inheritance.
How do we receive that which is ours by inheritance? Our inheritance comes by salvation, "being saved, delivered and protected." Salvation from sin, sickness, and disease comes according to what is written in Romans 10:9-10. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
The believing in the heart comes before the confession. Romans 10:8 says, "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach." We don't confess without believing first. We believe first, then confession brings salvation. Therefore, being the Word of God is true for healing just as it is for forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9), we first believe that Jesus did bear our sickness and disease in His own body on the Cross of Calvary. This is what the Word of God says in 1 Peter 2:24, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." When we believe this in our heart, we confess that by Jesus stripes we receive our healing.
This confession of sickness or disease being in our bodies is only made ONCE! ONCE we confess we have sickness or disease in our bodies (just like we confess our sins), He is faithful and just to remove sickness and disease from our bodies; just as He is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9).
But, understand, the healing may not manifest instantaneous; that doesn't mean healing has not already taken place. Faith is from the time we believe in our heart, and say with our mouth (Mark 11:23-24), until the manifestation takes place. If we permit doubt to enter in and control what we were believing, Satan will rob us of our inheritance (healing). The answer is "give God the glory!" Continue to praise and glorify God for the great things He has done! That doesn't mean, pride, self-exaltation, bragging, etc. before others, but faith between you and God.
The battle is between you and the devil, not you and your friends and neighbors. Confess to God and resist the devil! Once you have submitted your condition to God by confession from your heart, "He hears you!" He then waits for your faith to make you whole, just as Jesus said, "...Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole..." (Matt. 9:22).
How long does it take for faith to manifest? For Abraham, it says in Romans 4:18-21,
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Abraham did not consider his body "now dead," but believed according to that which was spoken. The question is, after you have submitted unto God, confessed your healing, what will you do if you do not have an instant manifestation? Will you still believe you have received, or will you let doubt rob you of your inheritance?
How do you continue to believe even when there is no evidence? Just continue to praise and worship God, just as if there was already an instant manifestation. Give God the glory, praise, and honor "for His Word is true, even when there is no manifestation. Manifestation or no manifestation, His Word is still true, it never changes!"
If you will continue to praise and glorify God "in-spite of the lack of manifestation" Satan will flee. He will take his sickness and disease along with him when he goes. Satan cannot stand to be around the children of God who ignore him and his symptoms of sickness and disease. Satan doesn't like being ignored, neither does God, or the Holy Spirit.
If you put your attention on God, the LORD Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit; and give praise and glory to God, while under attack by the enemy, the sickness and disease will leave.
Deliverance comes through praise and worshipping God! When Paul and Silas were thrown into prison, they did not complain, feel sorry for themselves, get into a pity-party; they "...prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed" (Acts 16:25-26).
They didn't say "I am not in prison," or "there are no bands or stocks on their feet!" No, they ignored the circumstance and "prayed and sang praises unto God!" They did not praise God for the problem, they praised God because He is God, He was well able to meet their every need!
As they continued to "sing praises unto God," "there was a great earthquake, the doors were opened, every one's bands were loosed!"
Do you want you bands loosed? Do you want deliverance? Freedom is yours if you will believe, confess, then continuously "praise, and sing praises to God!" Not for the problem, but because He is God!
Once you have confessed you needed healing (1 John 1:9), from that time forth, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY ONE MORE WORD ABOUT SICKNESS OR DISEASE, just "praise God, because He is God and the LORD is your Healer!"
Many times Christians make the mistake of trying to force healing by talking about their sickness. God never said, keep talking about the works of the devil. In Isaiah 33:24, it says, "And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity."
The Word of God tells us to "give God the glory for the great things He has done!" Therefore, once you have confessed a need for healing, get you mind off the sickness, and off the need for healing "God's Word is True, you are already healed!" If you are healed, why talk about sickness or healing? Just praise God, for He is God!
Paul and Silas never said a word about the fact that they were in prison, they just praised as though they were not even in prison. They praised God, because He is God!
Get your mind totally and completely off anything to do with sickness, disease, healing, etc. and get your mind on "Praising God, simply because He is God; the supplier of all your needs!" Ignore the devil and give all your attention to God, the devil will leave and take all his symptoms along with him when he goes.
Before we go too far off the subject of 1 John 1:9, let me ask you a question, "when you confess your sins and God is faithful to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness," does the thought of your sins ever come back into your mind? If it does, what do you do about it? Do you continue to confess it over and over and over until the thought leaves? If it doesn't leave, does that mean God has not forgiven you?
NO, no, no! "When you confess He is truthful and just," the thoughts that come following confession come from the devil. Don't listen to the devil, he is a liar, he was a liar from the beginning (John 8:44). Therefore, ignore him and the thoughts, just as you do with confessed sins.
The thoughts that continue to come after confessing sin are the same as the symptoms that continue to come after you are healed, following your submission unto God. They are lies, just like the thoughts that come to your mind. Thoughts of symptoms of sickness or disease are no different than thoughts of sins that you already confessed and are cleansed by God's faithfulness.
Caution: if you were on medication before you confessed, "do not go off medication unless you have peace in your spirit!" The peace of God will give you understanding (Phil. 4:7) when to go off medication. The healing power of God has nothing to do with medication. Medication or no medication, the Word of God will work under both conditions. Jesus healed those who were on medication and those who were not on medication; it makes no difference to God if there is medication or not. If your body needs some extra elements that are in the medication, receive it through medication. When Satan leaves, your body will reject the medication; you will have peace in your spirit.
The peace of God will give you peace in your spirit. When God's peace tells you to go off medication, then obey the voice of the LORD.
You can receive your healing TODAY, just take your sickness and lay it at the foot of the Cross and leave it there. Sickness and disease are not from God. Let the devil have his sickness and disease back, you don't need it. Jesus already bore your sickness and disease in His body on the Cross of Calvary.
Remember what Jesus said to those who would follow Him in John 16:23? It says, "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."
Healing for our bodies can be simple, like the simplicity of the Word of God that confounds the wise. First, let us come before the Father and the Son and confess our sins. He is truthful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Then, continue to praise Him for His Almighty power. Through praise and worship the power of the Holy Spirit manifests the healing power of God in your body. Always praise and worship God the Father and the Son in everything you do. Stay before God, in praising and worshiping Him for all that Jesus has done for you. If, after hours of praise this condition still exists, continuously thank Him, confessing the truth before the Father and the devil, "By His Stripes I Am Healed; He Bore My Sickness and My Diseases; Thank You Jesus!" Over, and over, and over, confess before God and the devil, the truth, "By His Stripes I Am Healed!"
Never give in to the work of the devil, "sin, sickness, or disease." Separate yourself from unbelievers, keep company with those who believe the truth of the Word of God. Jesus loves you! He already bore your sickness and disease on the Cross of Calvary. Receive your healing by faith through His grace!
UNDERSTANDING FAITH
What is faith, where does it come from? In Romans 10:17 it says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God." The word "rhema" means "an utterance." An "utterance" is something you hear, not always with your physical ears, but it is something that is said, and you hear it. This utterance comes from the Holy Spirit, bringing forth the true Word of God to those who can hear the utterance of the Spirit of God.
We must understand that the written Word is very important in the lives of Christians. Without the written Word we would have no testimony of Jesus, and what He has done for us. In Romans 10:14 says, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" We must have the written Word of God to know what God has done for us through Jesus Christ His Son. In 1 John 5:10,11 it says,
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
The record that God has given us is His written Word. If we do not believe the written Word, faith cannot come. God does not give faith to those who do not believe that He is God (Heb. 11:6). The testimony of what Jesus has done for us is in the written Word of God. Those who do not believe the written Word of God will not benefit from all that Jesus has done for us.
But faith does not come from the written Word of God, it comes from God. It comes when the Holy Spirit bears witness with the written Word of God. If the Holy Spirit does not bear witness with the written Word of God in an individual's life, then the written Word of God is of none-effect in that situation. Not that the person is not a born again Christian. For there are many hindrances in the spiritual realm that prevent Christians from receiving the "rhema" from the Holy Spirit.
Faith comes from God. In Romans 12:3 it says, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." So faith is given to every Christian. Every Christian has received a measure of faith to do that which the LORD has called them to do, whether it be prophecy, or ministering, or teaching, or exhortation, or whatsoever the LORD has called them to do. Faith is given to each one individually to do whatsoever the LORD has called them to do. This does not mean, every person has faith. It means, every Christian has faith given to them to do what the LORD has called them to do.
In Jude 1:3 it says, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Here it tells us that "faith was delivered to the saints." It is very possible that Jude is talking about the twelve disciples, and then also the seventy that Jesus sent out in Matthew 10 and Luke 9 and 10. These saints had faith.
It tells us in Matthew 10:1, "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." When it says "he gave them power." It could very well be that it is speaking of the LORD giving them faith. For it takes "faith" to please God. When God is pleased, He rewards us by manifesting that which we have faith for. But, what is important to understand is that the faith these saints had "was delivered to them." It was not something they came up with on their own, it was given to them by God.
Then in 2 Thessalonians 3:1,2 it says,
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Unreasonable and wicked men do not have faith. Christians are not naturally unreasonable and wicked, but there are those who are not Christians that are unreasonable and wicked. That does not mean that Christians cannot become unreasonable and wicked at times, unfortunately this does happen.
So, who has faith, and who does not have faith. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit given to everyone who is born again of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22,23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,...Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." There are nine fruit of the Spirit given to every born again Christian when they receive Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior into their lives.
The word "fruit" in this verse is symbolic of something that is produced upon a plant after the plant becomes mature. Therefore, we do not always see all nine fruit of the Spirit manifesting in the lives of all born again Christians. Many Christians today are still babes in Christ and they are not manifesting the fruit of the Spirit at this time in their lives. But that does not mean they do not have the fruit of the Spirit within them. They received the "seed, of the fruit" in their spirit when they were born again. Now that seed must grow to produce the evidence of the fruit which is in them.
Every person that has received Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior has faith. Every person whom God saw in their heart the desire to obey God has faith given to them by God. Before anyone was born again into the family of God, some men had faith. All the way back to before the flood. Abel had faith given to him. Enoch had faith given to him. Noah had faith given to him. Then after the flood, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, etc. all had faith given to them by God. Study the eleventh chapter of Hebrews and see all those listed as having faith.
In contrast to these, let us look at Jacob and Esau, the sons of Isaac, the grandsons of Abraham. Jacob had faith, but his twin brother did not have faith. Why is it Jacob had faith and Esau did not have faith. Hebrews 12:16 tells us that Esau was a profane person. A profane person is one "who shows disrespect or contempt for sacred things." God could see Esau's heart, and it was not right before God. Those whose heart is not turned toward God will not have faith.
God looks at the hearts of individuals, and responds to them, giving them faith to accomplish all that God desires for them to accomplish. Jeremiah 17:10 says, "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Over and over the Scriptures tell how that God searches the hearts of individuals to know what is in their heart.
When Jesus chose His twelve disciples, He did not do it according to human understanding. God, who searches the hearts of men gave each of them to Jesus to be His disciples. In John 17:12 Jesus said, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." Every one of Jesus' disciples were given to Him by the Father, including Judas Iscariot, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.
These disciples had faith, for God had given them faith to do that which they were chosen to do. Even though they were not born again, they did have faith given to them. Therefore, we must understand faith and how faith works if we are "to live by faith" (Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11, Heb. 10:38).
Faith operates from our spirit, whereas believing operates from our mind (which is a part of our soul). Man is a three-part being. Man is a living soul, and has a physical body and a spirit given to him by God. God operates in man from man's spirit. The spirit of man belongs to God and God controls what happens in the spirit of man. Job 32:8 says, "there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." Everything God does in our lives comes through our spirit, which belongs to God. We are a living soul. Our body belongs to us, but our spirit belongs to God.
When we understand that faith operates from our spirit, then we can understand faith and how faith works. Understanding that believing operates from our mind, and faith operates from our spirit helps us to "walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7).
We could say, faith operates according to the Word of God not according to the circumstances. Faith "does not" operate from our mind, therefore, we must operate according to the Word of God, not according to the thoughts of our mind.
When Christians understand that faith operates from our spirit and not from our mind, then they will see more manifestations of their faith. One thing that Christians can do that Jesus' disciples could not do is "build up their faith, praying in the Spirit." Only those who are baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues can "pray in the Spirit." In Jude 1:20 it tells us, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit" (NKJV).
The reason praying in the Spirit can cause us to build up our faith is that when we are praying in the Spirit, it is our spirit that does the praying, our mind has no understanding of what we are saying. Look at 1 Corinthians 14:14,15, which says,
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Notice, this is not talking about "speaking in tongues" which is a ministry gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:10,30). Speaking in tongues needs an interpretation. Speaking in tongues is an operation of the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit wills.
In 1 Corinthians 14:14,15 it is talking about our personal prayer language, whereby "we are in control," and it is our spirit that does the praying. Therefore, praying in the spirit and faith both operate from our spirit, not from our mind, where doubt and unbelief can hinder our faith. When our spirit does the praying and not our mind, Satan cannot interfere with our prayer. When the complete operation of building up our faith takes place in our spirit and not our mind, the Holy Spirit can help us "build up our faith."
Be careful when you read 1 Corinthians 14:13 along with 14 and 15 that you don't get over into trying to interpret your "praying in the Spirit." Only "speaking in tongues" should be interpreted, "not praying in the spirit." For, "speaking in tongues" is an operation of "God the Holy Spirit." Therefore, "speaking in tongues" comes by the unction of the Holy Spirit, as the Holy Spirit wills, not by the will of man. Whereas, "praying in the spirit" is as the man wills, as the Holy Spirit helps us pray (Rom. 8:26,27).
We must stay with the Word of God, not the words of men. God can only confirm the "inspirited Word," in which the Holy Spirit inspired Himself. When men change the "inspired Word" to make it agree with their ideas and desires, the Holy Spirit has no part in it. The "inspired Word of God" works all the time, but the teachings and doctrines of men do not work, they only hinder God from manifesting.
When Jesus walked on water, He did not do it according to the thoughts in His mind. Jesus received the information from His spirit. Jesus never did anything unless He received His information from His Father. Therefore, Jesus walked on the water after receiving "rhema" from the Holy Spirit, from within His spirit. That is how faith works, God must be involved for faith to work. It must be God's will, not man's will of the flesh.
This "rhema" in our spirit can also be explained as "a knowing, or confidence." We know in our spirit that God is faithful to bring to pass whatsoever we are praying for. The Greek word translated "faith" in the English is "pistis" meaning "persuasion." This Greek word comes from a primary verb "peitho" which includes "by an inward certainty." Faith has an inward certainty, which comes from the Holy Spirit in our spirit. It is a positive knowing, not a guess in the dark.
God and His Word are one (John 1:1,2). When we live in the Word and walk according to the Word, the Holy Spirit is in control of everything we do. The Holy Spirit guides, comforts, leads, teaches, and helps us in everything we do. The Holy Spirit brings to pass that which He authorized by giving us "rhema" to do the works He desires for us to do.
When we associate the word "faith" with the word "rhema" then we will understand how faith works. Faith operates from our spirit, not our mind. Faith is always "positive." There is no un-faith. Doubt and unbelief operate from our mind, not from our spirit. Man, and the demonic spiritual realm operate from the minds of people. God operates from the spirits of people. Knowing what is of God and what is of the demonic spiritual realm is very helpful when it comes to faith.
FAITH TO RECEIVE YOUR HEALING
The most often spoken of way, to receive healing, is by faith.
As we read the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we see in Matthew 8:5-13 it was the centurion's faith that brought healing to his servant.
In Matthew 9:2-7 it was the faith of those who brought the man sick of the palsy to Jesus that caused Jesus to heal him.
In Matthew 9:20-22 it was the faith of the woman with the issue of blood that caused her to receive healing.
In Matthew 9:27-30, it was the faith of the two blind men that caused them to receive their sight.
In Mark 2:1-12 it mentions it was the faith of those who brought the man sick of the palsy that caused Jesus to heal him.
In Mark 5:25-34 it mentions it was the faith of the woman that made her whole from her plague, an issue of blood.
In Mark 10:46-52 it says it was the faith of blind Bartimaeus that brought him sight.
In Luke 5:17-26 it tells us it was the faith of those who brought the man sick of the palsy to Jesus that brought about his healing.
In Luke 7:2-10 it was the faith of the centurion that brought healing to his servant.
In Luke 7:37-50, it was the faith of the woman sitting at Jesus feet that saved her.
In Luke 8:43-48 it was the faith of the woman with an issue of blood that made her whole.
In Luke 17:12-19, it was the faith of the leper that made him whole.
In Luke 18:35-43 it was the faith of the blind man that brought his sight.
It is important to understand faith. What is faith, and how does it work? Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Therefore, faith does not operate according to the natural senses or abilities. Faith operates from the spirit, through the spirit, by the Spirit.
An easier way to understand what faith is, is to understand that faith begins it's operation when we believe and ends when we receive. Faith is in operation all the time between the prayer and the answer. No matter how long it takes, faith continues until the manifestation is complete. Faith can be lost during the time when we are waiting for the manifestation. Therefore we are instructed in the Word to hold fast to our confidence (trusting in faith). Hebrews 10:35-36 says,
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
What is the will of God? That we live by faith, for it says in Hebrews 10:38, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
When we speak of faith for healing we must keep in mind, God does not promise instant healing every time we pray in faith. God requires that we "live by faith," holding fast our confidence between the time we pray and the time the manifestation comes. Living by faith means we will always be in a state of expectancy, looking for the manifestation. Once the manifestation takes place we will no longer be living by faith. Faith is not needed where the manifestation is already come.
One good example of this is in 2 Kings Chapter twenty, concerning the healing of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah was sick, which would have caused death. Without faith, Hezekiah would have died. When Isaiah the prophet informed Hezekiah of his condition which was leading him to death, Hezekiah pray to God, weeping (2 Kings 20:3). God answered Hezekiah's prayer requiring him to live for three days in faith before the manifestation of healing would take place. The LORD said to Isaiah, "Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD" (2 Kings 20:5). For King Hezekiah to receive his healing he had to live by faith for three days before there would be any change in his physical condition. On the third day, Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD and it tells us that they took a lump of figs and laid it on the boil and he recovered (2 Kings 20:7).
Faith requires that we live, or remain in the same condition, holding fast our confidence until the manifestation comes. In Mark 16:18 Jesus said, "they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18). They shall, means "starting at that point and continuing as long as it takes for recovery to come." It is the continuing in faith that will being the end result of recovery. Too often we do not receive the manifestation of our prayer because we do not continue in confidence. When we lose our confidence the manifestation is also lost. Therefore, it is important to continue in faith until the manifestation comes.
It takes an act of obedience to the Word of God to receive the manifestation. Sometimes that act of obedience requires a period of time between the speaking or hearing of the Word and the manifestation. For the man who was born blind in John 9:1-7, it took an act of obedience to go wash in the pool of Siloam before he received his sight.
HEALING BY LAYING ON OF HANDS
Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18,
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Healing can be received by the laying on of hands by any believer. But we must remember, it is the LORD that heals, not the person who lays hands upon the sick. It is done in the name of Jesus. No other name has been given whereby we can receive healing. The person laying hands upon the sick is not the healer. He is no different than the one he laid his hands upon. God is not a respecter of persons. God will use any Spirit filled believer to lay hands upon the sick. It is not the person who does the healing, it is the spoken Word of God, using the Name of Jesus. Yet, the Holy Spirit is also involved. "They shall speak with new tongues," is a sign that those laying on hands have received the Holy Spirit.
Never look to the person who is laying his hands upon the sick. Be thankful, but never give the credit to the person who is laying on of hands. Never receive credit from a person for the laying on of hands when they are healed. To receive healing by the laying on of hands, always look to Jesus and the Word of God as the healer, not the person who is laying on his hands. Healing comes as a result of the power of God, resident in the person who is laying on his hands, confirming the Word of God which you believe. When the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God come together, the manifestation takes place.
In Mark 16:16 Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." This means "both the person laying on of their hands and the one needing healing must believe." In Mark 6:5-6, it says, "And he (Jesus) could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching." In His hometown, Jesus only laid His hands upon those who would believe; only a few believed. Therefore, He could do no mighty works because of their unbelief. When a person comes to someone to have hands laid upon them for healing, "they must believe" they will receive. Hoping they will receive is not enough. Doubt and unbelief will prevent their healing.
There is an answer for those who do not receive by the laying on of hands, that is "teaching." Notice, when Jesus could do no mighty works because of their unbelief, "...he went round about the villages, teaching." We should not give up on those who do not receive, and those who do not receive should not give up. If they don't receive, teach them from the Word of God. If you had hands laid upon you and you didn't receive, get some good teaching!
HEALING BY CHILDLIKE FAITH
Jesus said in Matthew 18:3 ". . .Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." It is important to notice that Jesus said "become as little children," not become little children. We do not become little children to enter into the kingdom of heaven. We become as little children in receiving from God by grace through faith.
Let us take a familiar example. A little child who is playing with other children falls and hurts himself. Many times the child will run to his mother, crying, "it hurts." The mother will look at the child and say, "where does it hurt?" The child will say "here mommy," and points to the spot. Then the mother will say to the child, "let mommy kiss it and it will go away." She kisses the spot where the child points to and the child goes off to play. Why? Because the child wanted to play and when the mother said it would go away the child believed her. Maybe it still hurt, but it didn't make any difference to the child. His mother said it would go away and the child believed her.
It is the truth that will set us free from sickness and disease. Jesus is the Truth. God's Word is Truth. When we come to Jesus, and accept His Word, like a little child, the sickness or disease will leave.
But it must be truth, not presumption. If there is pain in our body, it is there. The truth is, it is there! The truth also is, God's Word is greater than the pain. When God's Word is used the pain must leave. To deny that there is pain is not truth. To doubt that the Word of God will cause the pain to leave is not believing the truth.
Romans 4:17 says, "(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." It doesn't say the things that were there "were not there." It says "the things God calls to be" were not there at the time. Sickness can be there. But call healing in place of sickness. Healing comes and sickness goes.
2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." This is truth that works for those who believe. The things which we see are there, but they are temporal; they do exist, but they must go when the Word of God manifests itself in our lives. This applies in all areas of our life. Our outward man does perish, while our inward man is renewed day by day. The day will come when we will put off this mortal body and put on a new body immortal (1 Cor. 15:53,54).
Yet the Word of God also promises us, through a covenant with God; healing for our mortal bodies. Therefore, if we look not upon that which is seen, but upon that which is promised, by faith "healing is ours." The temporal sickness or disease must leave and healing will come instead. It says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." Faith in the Word of God causes the manifestation of that which is not seen to take the place of that which is seen.
Let us see what faith does to sickness. In Mark 5:25-34, the woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, had gone to many physicians. She had spent all that she had, and was not any better when she came to Jesus. This woman was sick. She had a disease for twelve years. No one said that she was not sick. When she came to Jesus and touched His garment she had faith for healing. She had faith to change that which was seen to that which was not seen.
After she touched Jesus garment the fountain of blood was dried up. It was not dried up until she touched Jesus garment. When she touched His garment, believing she would be healed from that which did exist she receive healing. Jesus said to her, ". . .Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." (Mark 5:34) Jesus said, ". . .thy faith hath made thee whole." She was not whole before, but her faith made her whole. She believed that which was not seen over that which was seen. And that which was seen gave place of that which was not seen.
That is how childlike faith works. The condition does exist, but faith causes the Word of God to overcome the condition. Faith changes what does exist to that which does not exist.
God's Word is more powerful than the condition of sickness or disease. God's Word will change sickness and disease to health. Sickness and disease do exist, but the Word of God is more powerful. When applied with faith the sickness or disease must leave.
How do we apply the Word of God so that sickness or disease must leave? Just like we apply the Word of God to sin. The Word of God says, we have forgiveness of sins by the blood that Jesus shed for us. He took our sins upon Himself that we might receive the righteousness of God in Him. When we believe this, we confess our sins and God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-10). If we believe our confession sets us free we are free.
The same applies to sickness or disease. The Bible says, "Jesus bore our sickness and infirmities, and by His stripes we were healed." If we believe that Jesus took our sickness upon Himself and that by His stripes we are healed; then sickness must go. It doesn't belong to us, Jesus took it upon Himself that we could be free of sickness or disease. Just like Jesus took our sins, He also took our sickness and diseases. Just as our sins are taken away so shall our sickness and disease be taken away.
We had sins, and Jesus took them away with His blood. We had sickness or disease and Jesus took it away with His stripes. It is our faith that will make us whole. Just like the woman with the issue of blood, her faith made her whole. Our faith through God's grace will make us whole.
The way to get the faith to receive like a child receives from their parents is to get to know God and His Word so well that we believe. The child gets to know his mother so well that he believes her. When the child believes, he goes about as though there was no pain, and the pain leaves. The same applies to faith for healing. When we go about believing, the sickness or disease leaves.
But, we don't get it by our own ability. Jesus Himself said in John 5:19, ". . .The Son can do nothing of Himself. . ." And in John 5:30 He said, "I can of mine own self do nothing. . ." If we get prideful and go about saying, "Bless God I am healed!" We may go for many years with that same sickness or disease in our body. Pride will prevent the Word of God from manifesting in our lives. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). But when we come as a child and confess according to our faith, we will receive according to our faith. Our faith will make us whole, not pride or basting, but faith that Jesus, Who is the healer, has already done it for us. He already bore our sickness or diseases in His body, and by His stripes we are healed.
Jesus said in John 15:5, ". . .For without Me you can do nothing." This is the attitude we must have, without Jesus we can do nothing. It is not what we did, but what Jesus did for us. If Jesus had not taken our sickness or disease upon Himself we could not receive healing by His stripes. It is not something we can do without what Jesus has already done.
Faith is not prideful. Faith is humbling ourselves, believing that God's Word is true, and that He has the ability to bring His Word into manifestation.
Faith is applied to what we believe. If we hold onto our faith the manifestation will take place. We continue to believe until faith causes the manifestation to come. If we watch Jesus carefully, the manifestation always comes to pass as faith is applied. As soon as the woman touched Jesus garment the issue of blood dried up. Not a few hours or days later; but the very moment she touched His garment it happened. Hope, believing, confidence, and faith is from the time we say we believe until faith takes over and the manifestation takes place. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 10:35 says, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward." As we learn to apply faith on the bases of NOW FAITH IS, it can come into manifestation immediately. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing, and hearing the Word of God. We must overcome religious teachings and doctrines of men by accepting what Jesus has already done for us, then faith will work for us.
If we do not discern the body of Christ as "Himself bore our sickness" or disease by the stripes He took before His death on the Cross we will not receive our healing through the proper discernment. There are many Christians sick today because they have let teachings of men steal the truth of the Word of God from them. This should not be among Christians.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR FAITH FOR HEALING
Read this book over and over and over until you have it settled in your mind and heart, that; God wants to heal you! God wants to heal you NOW! Jesus is the Healer! The Word of God brings healing! You can be Healed! You will be Healed! YOU WILL BE HEALED NOW!
Jesus once said in Matthew 6:6 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Continue to pray daily. But, be wise, pray out loud in your prayer closet where others do not hear you. God will answer your prayer if it's between you and God. If it is sincere, from your heart, not looking for others to know you are praying. Confess the Word of God before God; come boldly before the throne of God and make your request known to God. Open confession before God in secret helps build your faith.
While praying in your prayer closet, pray in the Spirit, building up your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). The more you pray in the Holy Spirit the greater your faith will be.
Faith is NOW (Hebrews 11:1). When you have the truth settled in your mind and heart you will receive your healing.
Continuous open confession before men after you have received the manifestation will help to prevent Satan from bringing it back. You can maintain your healing by open confession before God, the devil, and man.
For years, when I would awake in the morning and get the feeling I was coming down with some type of sickness, the first thing I would do was say, "devil, you know I am healed, Jesus knows I am healed, I know I am healed, so you can take a jump; I'm going to work."
Shortly after I got to work the symptom would leave. Most of the time the symptom would not leave right when I spoke the words, but always after I got to work, or was on my way to work.
Daily, memorize and quote Scriptures that remind you of your covenant with God, your position in this world as a Child of God. Tell the devil "It is written!" concerning what God says about your condition. Your confession of faith in the Word of God will increase your faith to overcome the condition in your flesh.
There are some Bible Verses in the back of this book that you can use; add to them others of your own and speak them daily, without being offensive to others around you. Always thank and praise God for the victory over all sickness and disease.
HEALTH THROUGH PROSPERITY
In 3 John 1:2 it says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Health is dependent upon the prosperity of the soul. The soul of a person is that part which contains his intelligence, knowledge, reasoning, thinking, understanding, etc. Adam, in the beginning was created a living soul. A man with a body and a soul, by which he controlled his body.
Man was given the ability to know, reason, think, understand, and maintain intelligence of what he knows, or has known. Therefore, to prosper in our soul is to gain intelligence.
The intelligence that John is speaking of is explained in the next verses. "For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 1:3-4). The word truth is mentioned three times in these two verses. That means that our prosperity and health is based upon truth.
Truth begins with the Word of God. Truth is always prosperous. Jesus, speaking to God the Father in John 17:17 said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." Again, in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Jesus said He is the truth. He is also the life. These two, "truth and life" are interconnected. Therefore, truth brings prosperity and life.
This means prosperity is dependant upon truth. At the same time in 3 John 1:2, our health is dependent upon the prosperity of our soul. For our soul to prosper we need truth.
Therefore, let us concentrate upon Truth. Truth never changes. Truth is the absolute answer to every condition in every circumstance.
Let us look at some of the truth that will cause us to prosper and be in good health.
Remember, Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). Then in John 18:37 it says, "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." Jesus came to bear witness of Himself. And this He did in every thing He did on earth.
Our soul will prosper more and more as we get to know Jesus for who He is and all that He is able to do. Most Christians suffer because of a lack of knowledge of Jesus Christ and what He has promised us, who are His through the new birth.
Let us cause our soul to prosper by seeing the truth about Jesus Christ. Starting with this verse of Scripture where Jesus said, "the spirit it is that is giving life; the flesh doth not profit anything; the sayings that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63, YLT).
This is Young's Literal Translation, letting us see the tense of the words Jesus spoke. Jesus started off by saying "the spirit it is that is giving life." "That is giving," puts everything in the present tense. That means that by the Spirit we constantly receive life. Our soul will prosper constantly by the work of the Spirit. It is not something that happens only once and then stops happening. It is a continuous operation of the Spirit of God.
Next Jesus said, "the flesh doth not profit anything." What Jesus is saying is those things that are done by the flesh cannot produce life (Rom. 8:5-8). Neither can the five senses help you to understand spiritual things. Life is continued to be lived in the flesh, but it is not the flesh that causes us to live, it is the Spirit.
Now this word "spirit," could mean both our new created spirit or the Holy Spirit. Both of these work together in keeping us alive and giving us understanding. Either way, it is the spirit that quickens "makes alive, or gives life." The flesh only benefits from what the spirit does. The life of the "flesh" is in the blood (Lev. 17:11), of all physical beings. No blood, no life. But for born again Christians, the real you is in the spirit. Romans 8:9 says, "But ye (you) are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." James 2:26 says, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Born again Christians are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Their life is in the spirit, and it is the spirit that makes alive and brings life to spiritual beings.
Therefore, Jesus is teaching us something that man had not known before this. This is something new to the Jews which they did not understand. Remember, Nicodemus came to Jesus asking Him a question about the miracles He was doing in John 3:3-12. Jesus' answer to Nicodemus was too fold, first you must be born again before you can understand the kingdom of God. Then at the same time Jesus added to that "you must be born of the water and the Spirit to enter into the kingdom of God." Following that explanation He simply said to Nicodemus, "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" (John 3:12).
Things of the Spirit, or heavenly things cannot be understood by the natural mind unless they are first revealed by the Spirit. Revelation by the Spirit is a heavenly operation, directed by the powers of heaven.
This is one very important fact we must get into our minds and hearts. If we want to prosper in our soul and be in good health we need to get spiritual revelation from heaven.
Now, back in John 6:63 Jesus gave us the answer when He said, "the sayings that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." Jesus' sayings are what will give us life, including the healing of our bodies. We can be in good health if we will permit the Spirit to quicken us to believe the sayings of Jesus, for He came also to reveal the things of God to us.
Mary, Jesus mother, made a statement that we can all benefit from while at the wedding at Cana. In John 2:5 it says, "His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." If we can only get things settled in our mind, Whatsoever Jesus said to do, "do it."
After all, Jesus is the LORD over all that has been made. God has exalted Him above all things in heaven, on earth and beneath the earth. His name is above all names (Phil. 2:5-11). If anybody should have the answers to life, and health, and prosperity of the soul Jesus is the one with the answer. Whatsoever Jesus says to do, do it. There is no need to question what Jesus said, for He is the truth, and the truth is absolute, unchanging, it stands forever.
So now let us look at one of the sayings of Jesus in Matthew 7:24. Jesus said, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock." There is only one rock to build our house upon, that Rock is Jesus! He is the rock of our salvation, the giver of life everlasting. Jesus is the answer, whatsoever He saith, do it.
Our soul will prosper when we put all our confidence and trust in Jesus and what He said to do. When we become doers of Jesus' words then we will become prosperous and live in good health.
Follow Jesus' example, follow Jesus' teachings, be doers of Jesus' word, His words are spirit and life. His words will produce in us prosperity of soul and good health to our bodies.
KEYS TO HEALING
In Matthew 16:19 Jesus said, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Jesus did not say "key," but He said "keys." There are a number of keys to the kingdom of heaven. In this same verse the King James Version of the Bible uses the words "kingdom of heaven." The Young's Literal Translation uses the words "reign of heaven." The use of the words "reign of heaven" could bring a better understanding to what Jesus is saying.
For instance, the subject of this conversation between Jesus and Peter was "...Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" The true answer is "...Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." The keys to the reign of heaven is based upon this statement. "Christ is the Son of the living God."
Christ means the anointed One; or in our case (as Christians) the anointed ones. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power to destroy the works of the devil (Acts 10:38, 1 John 3:8). All who are in Christ (Rom. 8:9, 2 Cor. 5:17), are also anointed to destroy the works of the devil.
The key to destroying the works of the devil is two fold, binding him and his demons, here on earth and they will be bound also in the heavens above the earth. Jesus said, "...whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven..." What we bind on earth, the LORD will bind in the heavens above the earth. For it is "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2) that controls all who are disobedient to the Word of God (2 Cor. 4:4). This is accomplished by blinding the minds of those who do not believe, and those who do not obey the Gospel.
So the second part is to take control of our minds, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).
The idea that Christians minds are not blinded by the god of this world came from the devil himself. For if our minds were not blinded, there would be no need to bind the devil in our lives. Or in the lives of other Christians. It is through their minds that the devil brings most sickness and disease upon the children of God.
If our minds were not blinded we would walk in the truth of the Word of God which declares "...By His stripes we were healed" (1 Peter 2:24). "...Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses" (Matt. 8:17).
If the Word of God is true, and we believed it, without doubt in our minds, there would be no sickness in our bodies. Sickness does exist in the bodies of Christians because the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who have sickness in their bodies.
The outward man, born in the likeness of Adam must be saved. That is, delivered from the blinding of the mind by the god of this world. When our mind is totally free of all Satanic influence, our bodies will be totally free of all sickness and disease. Where God reigns in our lives there is freedom from all the works of the devil.
If we are not free from the works of the devil, it is because our minds are blinded and we are living according to our mind, not according to the Word of God. When we take complete control of the thoughts that come to our minds, bringing every thought into captivity to Christ "who dwells in us," we will be free of all the works of the devil.
Satan has power. To say he has no power is to disagree with the Word of God, for Jesus told the apostle Paul to "...turn them from the power of Satan to God" (Acts 26:18). Yet, the only power Satan has in the lives of Christians is that which he has through the blinding of minds, the thoughts that Christians accept contrary to the Word of God.
If we accept the thoughts of sickness and disease, the symptoms will manifest in our bodies. If we reject the thoughts, bringing every thought into the obedience of Christ the symptoms will leave.
We must bind the powers of darkness, the spirits that bring the thoughts to our minds, cast them out, completely eliminate them from our minds and then as we hold to the Word of God, the symptoms of sickness and disease will leave.
Healing for our bodies was purchased for us on Calvary. It is ours if we are in Christ. If any symptoms exist in our bodies it is because of our minds accepting the thoughts that demons put there.
Many times we wonder, how is it that Christian Scientist can, on some occasions, obtain healing and health through mind control? It is not that they are born again, it is not that they are children of God, it is because certain truths of God are established in the world, and will work for whoever will do according to His truth. The sad thing about those who use mind control to receive healing without being born again is that sometime later in their life, if they do not receive Jesus Christ as LORD, they will still spend eternity in hell. Why? Because they did not believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18).
God's Word and truth works for all who will believe, it is the key to eternal life. Without eternal life we cannot enter into heaven. Without eternal life we cannot enter into the reign of God. Eternal life should be our first concern when we read the Word of God, then believing the words of Jesus and the Word of God should be the next concern.
These two keys, eternal life, and believing can bring us into a walking talking relationship and fellowship with God. The key of believing the Word of God, and Words of Jesus in our minds will remove all symptoms of sickness and disease from our bodies.
Satan is a liar. Jesus said in John 8:44, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
How does the devil lie to people. He does it by thoughts he puts in the minds of people, not just those who are not born again but also those who are children of God. If there was no problem with the thoughts in the minds of Christians then there would not have been any reason for the Spirit of God to inspire the writing of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. If thoughts didn't come to Christians, contrary to the Word of God, there would be no need for them to bring them into subjection to Christ.
The truth is that our main warfare in this life takes place in our minds, the thoughts that come into our mind from the spiritual forces outside of our new created spirit man. When a person is born again, they are a new creature in Christ, yet their old human nature (the outward man) must still be brought under control according to the Word of God.
Let us see this in the Scriptures. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 it says, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." The Greek word "noema" translated "minds" in this verse is only used six times in the complete New Testament. It means "the mind, a mental perception, that which thinks, thoughts or purposes."
This same Greek word is also translated "devices" in 2 Corinthians 2:11, which says, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." What kind of a device does Satan use? The subject of 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 is unforgiveness among Christians. Why is there unforgiveness among Christians? Because of the device of Satan, thoughts in the minds of Christians which came from the devil.
Another Scripture using the same Greek word, translated "minds," is 2 Corinthians 11:3, which says, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." Looking at this verse we see that Eve, who was without sin before she ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was deceived by thoughts in her mind, placed there by the serpent. Paul said his fear was that the Corinthian Christians minds would be corrupted by the same means, thoughts from the devil and his demons.
Now, looking back at 2 Corinthians 10:5, the word "thought" is the same Greek word "noema," which is translated "mind, or minds" in these other Scripture verses, including 2 Corinthians 4:4, where it is translated "minds."
Brothers and sisters in the LORD, let us not be deceived by Satan's devices, the thoughts he places in our minds. For if we follow the context of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, we will see that we are in a warfare, the battle is being fought in our minds. The weapons of our warfare are "the controlling of the thoughts that come to our minds."
Some say the only fight we are told to fight is "the good fight of faith" (1 Tim. 6:12). That is true, but where do you fight the good fight of faith? It is fought in the mind, by doing warfare against the prince of the powers of the air, controlling the thoughts that come to our minds, bringing them into subjection to the Word of God. By casting down all thoughts that do not agree with the knowledge of God revealed in the Word of God.
Oh how the devil likes to lie to Christians, saying, certain Scriptures pertain only to those who are not "born again believers" in the body of Christ. They tell us that 2 Corinthians 4:4 only pertains to those who are not Christians. They say the Ephesians 2:2 is speaking only of those who are not born again Christians. Let us see what it says in Ephesians 2:2- 3.
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Yes, before we were born again we did walk according to the prince of the power of the air. But, who are the children of disobedience? When we receive thoughts that we should reject, we are being controlled by the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in all who disobey God.
Our disobedience starts with the thoughts in our minds. Our mind is in our soul. Even though we were saved, that is, "delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's Son" our thoughts still need to be controlled. Our minds must still be renewed to receive only thoughts that agree with the knowledge of God revealed in His Word. Our salvation must continue unto the end. Jesus said in Matthew 24:13, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Just because at one time we were saved, it doesn't mean we do not have an enemy working against our minds to cause us to be disobedient to our LORD and Saviour. Our thoughts must be brought into subjection, to the obedience of Christ, who dwells in us.
The major reason there is so much sickness and disease in the body of Christ is because we are accepting thoughts contrary to the Word of God, which says, "By His stripes we were healed" (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus bore our sickness and diseases in His body on the cross of Calvary, if we will believe it we will have no sickness or disease in our body. The symptoms will have to leave when the Word of God manifest in our lives. The manifestation of the Word of God is dependant upon what we believe.
Jesus said, "...If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Matt. 9:23). The believing comes when we receive the Word of God as truth and cast out all other thoughts which are contrary to the Word of God. When this happens in our lives the Word of God will manifest, the symptoms of sickness and disease will leave.
If we insist that there is nothing wrong with the thoughts in our minds, sickness and disease will not go from our bodies. It is when we take control of our thoughts, bring them in line with the Word of God that a change will take place in our lives. Sickness and disease will leave and health will come to all our flesh and bones.
God's Word is truth, everything else is a lie, straight from the devil himself, who was a liar from the beginning (John 8:44).
We must understand, sickness and disease did not come instantly, it came gradually. It was a process of many thoughts, many words, many attacks of the spiritual forces of darkness before any manifestation of the symptoms appeared. It takes hope, believing, and faith to overcome. We start with hope, then we increase to believing, and when faith comes we hold on to our confidence until the manifestation is complete. Not always does faith bring an instant manifestation of the Word of God. We got ourselves into the condition over a period of time, it may take time to reverse the process; that is, bring every thought into captivity. If the thoughts persist, and keep coming, we must keep casting them down, binding them in the name of Jesus, rejecting them from our minds. Once we have done all, we must stand in faith, not wavering, holding onto that which we are promised until the manifestation takes place in our lives.
Understand this, "if you are a Christian," the devil is your enemy, and you are his enemy. He is out to kill you, to get you out of his territory, out of this world.
There is evidence that the devil will remove his sickness in those who are not Christians, to deceive them, to keep them from the truth which could save them from his power over their lives. Numbers of people have received healing through witch-doctors, witchcraft, etc. there is no evidence that God brought healing to those.
The Word of God is healing for all who will believe. Proverbs 4:20-22 says,
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
God's Word is still the best medicine to bring health to our flesh. God's Word works were doctors and medicine will not work. The Word of God is more powerful than anything man can do.
It is faith in the Word of God that will produce healing, medication sometimes brings other problems, while it seems to be helping... The Word of God will not bring any other problems, it will remove all problems...
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold to that which is good," THE WORD OF GOD, inspired and witnessed by the Holy Spirit within you. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, it says,
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." The Word of God can be proven, by holding fast to it.
Look back at 2 Corinthians 10:5, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Understanding that the word "thought" is also translated a "device" of Satan and "minds" blinded by the god of this world. When our total thoughts agree with the Word of God we will have total victory over the devil. If you are looking for total victory over the devil, in healing for your body, start with bringing your thoughts in line with the Word of God.
Do not entertain the devil, by thinking about sickness, pain, discomforts, or disease--yes, they are there; but you do not have to think about them. Turn your thoughts to "I am healed by the power of the Word of God, by the stripes Jesus bore for me. I am in Christ, He bore all my sickness and took upon Himself all my diseases. I am covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses me of all sin. God's Word is true, every other word is a lie. I believe and I receive according to the Word of God!"
Daily, every day, keep the Word of God coming out of your mouth. Let your confession be the Word of God not the lying symptoms, or feelings in the flesh. Jesus is your healer. He already bore your sickness and disease in His body on the cross of Calvary. When your mind agrees with the Word of God all symptoms will leave.
Remember how faith works. Faith always "believes you have already received" before there is any manifestation. "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24). Faith says, I believe, therefore I receive. The believing that you have already received causes the manifestation to come. You must cancel all doubt between the time you pray until the manifestation comes (no matter how long it takes to manifest).
Continuous speaking the words of God and rebuking all doubt in the name of Jesus will help your faith to bring about the manifestation. You must "...believe in your heart and doubt not..." (Mark 11:23).
THROUGH THE BLOOD
The Bible tells us that Jesus bore our sins in His own body on the cross of Calvary. Some people have not seen it this way. But the Scripture says in Isaiah 53:4-6
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
We realize that there are many different version of the wording of Isaiah 53:4-6. Yet through each one of them it indicates certain truths. The Amplified Bible says,
Surely He has borne our griefs -- sicknesses, weakness and distress -- and carried our sorrows and pain [of punishment]. Yet we ignorantly considered Him stricken, smitten and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was brused for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole.
Young's Literal Translation says,
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains--he hath carried them, And we--we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. And he is pierced for our transgressions, Bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement of our peace is on him, And by his bruise there is healing to us. (Isaiah 53:4-5 YLT)
The NIV says,
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Whichever Bible we use they all point to certain truths; Jesus took, bore, or carried our sickness, infirmities, iniquities, upon Himself. The Apostle Matthew, who was with Jesus all throughout His ministry tells us about Jesus first healing Peter's mother-in-law, then when evening came Jesus healed all that came to Him that were sick, "Jesus healed them all." Matthew, in 8:17 it says, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Somehow Matthew knew about the prophecy of Isaiah 53:4-5. Then Peter, another of Jesus' Apostles, who was with Him all throughout His ministry said, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24) Matthew and Peter were both apostles who walked with Jesus. They knew what the Scriptures meant.
Matthew again quoted Isaiah, when He said in
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. (Matthew 12:17-21)
Jesus, Himself, could very well have been speaking of the same Scriptures in Luke 24:44-46 when He appeared to the disciples. It says,
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.
There is something else that Jesus said about the Scriptures that we must understand. To the Jews, when they wanted to stone Jesus because He said He was the Son of God, Jesus said, "Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:34-35) Here Jesus was speaking of Psalm 82:6.
So let us consider who Jesus is, and His words are truth. When He says the Scriptures cannot be broken, then Isaiah 53:4-5 cannot be broken either. They, then being unbreakable, it would also mean that Hebrews 13:20 cannot be broken and mean to say anything other than what it says; "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant."
This would tell us that Jesus was brought back from the dead through the very same blood which He shed. Jesus began to shed His blood before He died, taking our sins, iniquities, sickness, and diseases upon Himself.
God, brought Jesus back from the dead, sinless, guiltless, without any sickness, or disease in His body. If what Isaiah said is true, and it is if the Scripture cannot be broken; then all our sickness, diseases, sins, and iniquities were taken by Jesus when He died on the cross of Calvary.
Let's now ask a question, if someone paid all your bills in full, how much would you still owe? If you owed something, and someone paid for it for you; wouldn't you own that which was paid for? Wouldn't that which was paid for belong to you debt free? Certainly, that is why it was paid for, so it would belong to you.
Now, what about healing for your body? If Jesus bore your sickness and diseases, paid for them in full, why is it that you are still suffering? It can only be for one reason, you don't know or don't believe in your heart that Jesus really did, what the Scriptures say He did. Mostly, because someone else told you something different than what the Scriptures say, or you accepted thoughts in your mind that have controlled what you believe. These thoughts must have come from somewhere else, other than the Word of God.
The LORD, speaking of the thoughts of people said,
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Rather than point our fingers at others, let us go to work and change our way of thinking and get our thoughts to line up with the Scriptures, "which cannot be broken" (John 10:35), even by the devil or his demons. They too, must agree with the Scriptures as we stand fast upon those Scriptures which cannot be broken.
Let us look even closer at what Jesus did, and what the Scriptures say about Jesus. Jesus, first shed His precious blood for your sins. He was the Lamb of God slain for the sins of the whole world (Rev. 13:8, 1 John 2:2). He died that you and I might live forever with Him in heavenly places. Let us see this truth clearly, so we can understand it perfectly.
After Jesus spent about three and one-half years teaching His disciples by His word and example, He was crucified on the cross of Calvary (just as the Scriptures had foretold). When He hung there on the cross, His precious, sinless, blood was flowing from the cuts and bruises and nails in His hands and feet. This precious blood was being shed for our sins, for He had no sin Himself. He was innocent of any sin or wrong doing. Yet, He was crucified for our sins.
With the shedding of His own precious blood, He took our sins upon Himself and died there on Calvary. When He died, He became sin for us, that we who were dead in sins and trespasses could be free of the consequences of sin and death. After taking all our sins upon Himself the Word of God declares; "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh . . ." (1 Pet. 3:18). "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Col 2:15).
After Jesus made an open show by His triumphant victory over the devil and all his demons, God brought Jesus back from the dead through the blood of the everlasting covenant. As it says, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant" (Heb. 13:20). Jesus, after taking your sins upon Himself was raised from the dead, without sin, spotless, "through the blood of the everlasting covenant."
This blood that Jesus shed while He was still without sin, paid the price for all your sins, and mine, including healing for our bodies. This blood that Jesus shed was the blood of the everlasting covenant that we have with God. As members of the body of Christ, we are members of that covenant to which this blood applies. When the blood of Jesus brought Him back from the dead, sinless, spotless, without sickness or disease, surely we also can partake of the same! For it was shed for us, not for Jesus; before He took our sins, sickness and diseases upon Himself. He had no sin, sickness or disease. It was for us that this was all done. So receive it now by faith. Stay in faith and patience until the complete manifestation is come. God does not work on a time element, therefore we also ought not to look at time as meaning anything when it comes to the manifestation of what we believe.
SPIRIT, SOUL, & BODY
Many Christians are not healed in their bodies because of a lack of knowledge concerning their spirit, soul, and body. In most cases the healing they need is in their physical body. Satan attacks the physical body for it is mortal, of this earth. The physical body needs to be preserved, blameless, along with the spirit and soul. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 it says, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
There is a difference between your spirit, soul, and body. It is easy to tell the difference between the body and the soul, one is physical and other is spiritual. Yet, healing for the physical body is dependant upon the spirit of man in many cases. Many new born Christians, and those who are still babes in Christ have very little knowledge of the difference between the soul and the spirit of man. It takes a revelation of the Word of God to discern the difference between the soul and the spirit.
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." A spiritual Christian must discern between the soul and the spirit of man to accomplish healing for the physical body in many cases. With a lack of knowledge concerning the spirit, soul, and body of man Satan has an advantage over those who have sickness in their bodies.
Let us take a quick look at the difference between the spirit, soul, and body. To become a child of God, born again into the kingdom of God one must receive Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior. For the Scripture says in John 3:3-7,
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
There are two births necessary to enter into the kingdom of God. There is first the birth of the physical body and soul into this world. This is called born of the flesh. When Nicodemus could not understand what Jesus meant by born again, Jesus answered his question by saying, you must first be born of water, which is the flesh. Nicodemus was already born of the flesh from his mother's womb. It was not necessary for him to go back into his mother's womb and be born a second time. Once a person is born of the flesh, a descendant of the first Adam, they must then be born again of the Spirit. The second birth is of the second Adam, Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:49). Therefore, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, "a spiritual birth into the kingdom of God."
In 1 Corinthians 15:44-50 it explains,
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
These verses of Scripture are not easily understood by those who do not have spiritual knowledge of spiritual things. Unless it is given to them by revelation or witnessed to them by the Spirit of God within them (when they are revealed by others in the body of Christ, they still will reject the truth). There are two reasons for this. One is, spiritual things cannot be understood by the natural mind of man (2 Cor. 2:14). Unless there is spiritual discernment given by the Holy Spirit they will not understand. The other reason is because their mind is blinded from the truth by other teachings; therefore they cannot understand contrary to their previous thinking. It is natural for them to reject anything that does not agree with what they already believe.
Until the Spirit of God gives revelation of the truth in these verses of Scripture they will remain without knowledge (this includes Spirit filled Christians). Knowledge comes only when a person is open to receive it from the Spirit of God. God will not force a Spirit filled Christian to believe or receive. They must be willing to believe the truth, or they will remain spiritually ignorant.
Let us search out the information revealed in these verses; thereby we may understand how to receive healing from our spirit man, by the help of the Holy Spirit.
It says, "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." Our first birth is a natural body, born of water (John 3:5), "a body of flesh" (John 3:6) from our mothers womb. Therefore this natural body is flesh and bones, from the dust of the earth. It came from dust and it shall return to dust (Gen. 2:7, 3:19). This natural body houses a spiritual body, as it says "there is a spiritual body."
In our first birth in the flesh, our spiritual body is not related to God (not joined one spirit with the LORD), therefore when we are born again we receive a new spiritual body, "in Christ." Ezekiel 36:26 says, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you..." When we are born again the old spiritual body is passed away and we become "a new person." In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it explains, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." What passed away? The old spiritual body. When did all things became new? What does all things pertain to? Those things in the Spiritual body. Our natural body and soul still remained, and in most cases there was no change in the natural body or soul when we were born again.
It is also a fact that the spiritual body of every human being is raised out of the natural body upon death of the natural body. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus gave us an account of a rich man and Lazarus, a beggar, who died. This account is not a parable, but a true account of three persons; a rich man, Abraham, and Lazarus, "a beggar." The rich man died and was buried. The beggar also died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man, in his spiritual body, spoke to Abraham and said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame" (Luke 16:24). This man's physical body was buried, yet in his spiritual body he was tormented in the flames.
Those who are not born again also have a spiritual body, one that does not have the life of God in it. It is often referred to as being spiritually dead. Man always had a spiritual body, soul, and physical body. Howbeit, the first man is of the earth, earthly, a descendant of Adam. In 1 Corinthians 15:46 it says, "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural." The spiritual body spoken of here to the Corinthian Christians is the spiritual body received of the LORD, a quickening spirit a spirit with the life of God in it. The spiritual body we had before we were born again did not have the spiritual life of God in it; therefore it was replaced. Born again of incorruptible seed, by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23).
It says, "as we (Christians) have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Cor. 15:49). Those who are not born again will not bare the image of the heavenly (the LORD from heaven).
The revelation of these verses is made clear in verse fifty, where it says, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Cor. 15:50). Without this new birth, this new spiritual body, joined one spirit with the LORD; no one can enter into the kingdom of God. Our entrance into the kingdom of God is made possible when we receive a new spiritual body, we become a new creature in Christ.
It is from this born again spirit (spiritual body) that the new creature in Christ operates in the spirit realm. The people of the Old Testament had no power over spirits, demons, or the devil. God had to intervene on their behalf when there was a need for miracles, or supernatural manifestations, which included divine healing for their bodies without medication.
For those who are born again, the power to do miracles, and operate in the supernatural abides in them. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all abide within the new created spiritual body of born again Christians. God is in our new spiritual body, we are one spirit with the LORD (1 Cor. 6:17).
It is from this spiritual body that we must operate to destroy the works of the devil in our physical bodies. Romans 8:4-13 says,
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Looking closely at these verses in Romans 8: We can see that if we walk after the flesh and live after the flesh we shall die. But if we walk after the Spirit and live after the Spirit we shall live. Verse nine explains, "But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." The real you, "the new creature in Christ" is in the spirit-man. The old man of the flesh is not the you that God is dealing with, or looking upon as His child. God see's you in Christ, a spirit being, created in the image of Jesus Christ, the second Adam.
Yet, if you are not born again of the Spirit, you do not have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in you, you do not belong to Christ. Only those who are born again of the Spirit belong to Christ, (are children of God). Now, verse thirteen tells us that if the Spirit of Christ dwells in you, He will make alive your mortal body. Your mortal body is the old man of the flesh, the body that has sin and death in it.
There is no sickness, sin or death in the new creature in Christ, the spiritual body, joined "one spirit with the LORD" (1 Cor. 6:17). The new spiritual body is born of incorruptible seed, by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). It is the mortal body, that has sickness and disease that needs to be healed, and restored to health.
For many Christians, healing for their physical bodies must come from the spirit-man, and the mind of Christ which is in the spiritual body. This is sometimes an operation of the Holy Spirit in "the gifts of the Spirit." Those operating in the gifts of the Spirit may know the cause of the sickness and disease, by the Spirit, sometimes with a word of knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8), knowing the condition that exists. When this happens it does not come from the individual that has the sickness or disease, but through another person, another member of the body of Christ operating from their spirit.
Our natural mind, the mind of the flesh is programmed by this world; whereas the mind of the spirit picks up things from the Spirit of God and operates by the Word of God, not the natural senses. What is revealed by the Spirit of God is then spoken out of the mouth of those operating in the gifts of the Spirit. Sometimes the gift of healing will manifest, or the gift of faith, or discerning of spirits; whatever the case may be, healing will come to the physical body by an operation of the Holy Spirit from the spirit of man, not the natural mind of the flesh.
It is not always necessary for another member of the body of Christ to minister healing to someone who is in Christ. If the Spirit of Christ dwells in you, you can receive spiritual knowledge from the mind of Christ in you to help you overcome sickness and disease in your physical body. To do this, you must "walk after the Spirit, not in after the flesh" (Rom. 8:4-13).
Many Christians have sickness or disease in their bodies because they are still babes in Christ, not understanding spiritual things (1 Cor. 3:1-3). They still walk as natural men, not in the Spirit. For this cause there are many sickly among the body of Christ and many have fallen asleep for they have not discerned the LORD'S body (1 Cor. 11:29-31). You will notice that the cause of sickness and premature death among Christians in 1 Corinthians 11: is "not discerning the LORD'S body." The evidence of not discerning the LORD'S body is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11:18-19. There it mentions, "divisions and heresies." The evidence of babes in Christ is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, "envying, strife, and divisions."
Our bodies belong to the LORD, both our physical bodies and our spiritual bodies. Sometimes we must have spiritual discernment, to know what is the cause of sickness and disease in our physical bodies. So, therefore, let us walk in the Spirit, and not after the flesh, that the Spirit of Christ in us will make alive our mortal bodies (Rom. 8:11).
THE HOLY SPIRIT, OUR HELPER
The Holy Spirit can, and will help us receive healing. Romans 8:11 says, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
Your mortal body is the one you see with your eyes, as well as the one your spiritual body lives inside of at this time. Your spiritual body resides inside of your natural (mortal) body. When you go to be with the LORD, you leave your mortal body here on the earth. Your mortal body turns to dust (Gen. 3:19), while you remain in your spiritual body with the LORD. Therefore, the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will also quicken (make alive, bring to health) your mortal body.
It says in Jude 1:20 "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost." Praying in the Holy Spirit can build up your faith to receive healing. For it is by grace through faith that you receive healing (Eph. 2:8-9).
Praying in the Holy Spirit (praying in tongues), opens the avenue for the Holy Spirit to help us in our infirmities (Rom. 8:26). If we have sickness in our bodies and don't know what is the cause, the Spirit of God in us will help us. Sometimes He will reveal to us the cause and guide us into making the right changes to correct the problem. Other times He will help us pray in the Spirit, to overcome the condition.
At times, while praying in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will guide us in praying for others in need of physical healing. While praying in the Spirit, words will come out of your mouth in your native language, words that will help overcome the condition you are praying about.
Many times when praying for others I will begin praying in the Spirit, then as the Holy Spirit takes over, the words will come out in English. I find myself rebuking the devil, commanding spirits to leave, commanding healing in the name of Jesus, etc. This is usually always without my natural mind, it comes out of my spirit. My mind does not know what I am about to say, it only knows what I say when I hear myself saying things from my spirit.
More people are healed when I begin praying for them in the spirit than when I pray from my natural mind. Praying from the natural mind usually does not produce much results. But praying from the spirit does. Therefore, praying from the spirit is more beneficial to both the one praying and the one in need of prayer.
Let me relay an experience I had with speaking in tongues: A good Christian friend of mine picked up another Christian friend of his and myself to go to a meeting. At the meeting the power of God was working mighty. Many people were going out in the Spirit as a woman laid her hands upon them. Doubtless, many things were happening in their lives because of the anointing.
When we left the meeting to go home, I was riding in the back seat and his friend was in front of me. His friend said, "I should have had that woman lay hands upon me." My friend said to him, "Merle could pray for you." I said to his friend, "What's the problem that you need prayer for?" He said, "I have a pain in the back of my neck," and he went on naming many other parts of his body where he was experiencing pain or discomfort.
As we rode back to my house, I just continued to pray in the Spirit. While I was praying in the Spirit, in my mind (without speaking a word in English out loud), I started saying to the LORD; "LORD, heal his neck, take the pain away, LORD, heal his side, LORD heal his back, LORD, heal this and LORD heal that..." I just spoke to the LORD in my mind, never saying a word out loud in English. Yet, I never stopped praying in the Spirit all the time I was talking to the LORD in my mind.
I had learned something a while back. Since God knows every thought, then I should be able to talk to God in my mind (1 Cor. 3:20). So, all I did was talk to the LORD in my mind while I was praying in tongues.
My friend told me later that when I got out of his car by my house, his friend said to him something like this, "I see you brought your armor bearer along with you tonight!" After my friend answered him, he said, "that man can ride behind me anytime he wants to. All the time he was praying in the Spirit back there, I could feel the LORD healing my body."
Let me give another instance from my own experience: A sister in the LORD got into an automobile accident and the left side of her face was all cut up by flying glass. I met her in the hospital just after she came down from the emergency room. When the doctor come in with the x-rays he looked at her face very closely. Then he said to her, "There are no broken bones, but there is a lot of damage. Part of your eye-lash is missing, and part of your eye-brow is missing. There is no place on your body where I can get eye-brows or eye-lashes from at this time. All I can do is sew you us up and after it is healed somewhat we can send you to another hospital about 100 miles away and they will be able to graft in some eye-lashes and eye-brows."
After the doctor left the room she said to me, "We are not going to accept that are we?" I said "no, let's pray!" I began to pray in the Spirit (unknown tongue). I must have prayed in an unknown tongue at lest five minutes or more when she said to me, "is that all you are going to do is pray in the Spirit?" I said to her, "Let the Holy Spirit do what He wants to do," and I continued to pray in the Spirit (unknown tongue).
Sometime later, after praying in the Spirit for quite some time, words began to come out of my mouth in English. I began to say, "In the name of Jesus I command the eye-lashes to be there. In the name of Jesus I command the eye-brows to be there. In the name of Jesus I command the tear glans to be whole and working. In the name of Jesus I command the eye-mussels to be working properly. In the name of Jesus I command 20 - 20 vision in her eyes." Then, un-expectantly the words came out of my mouth "And she will be in Church on Sunday." When I heard myself say that my mind stopped my spirit from praying. I could not believe in my mind that she would be in Church on Sunday. It was about 6:00PM on Friday at that time.
Following the prayer they took her up to surgery. About 11:00PM the doctor came to me and said, "Praise the LORD! The eye-brows and eye-lashes where all there. The tear gland is fine. Every thing was there, all I had to do was sew her up."
Many new Christians do not know the value of "praying in the Spirit" (Eph. 6:18), "in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 1:20). When a person prays in the Spirit, it is their spirit man that does the praying. In 1 Corinthians 14:14 it says, "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful." When we pray in the Spirit our natural man; our natural mind, does not understand what we are praying. It is a complete operation of the new creature in Christ. The old man of the flesh does not understand.
At the same time, we know that the Holy Spirit is helping us pray. Romans 8:26 says, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." The words "cannot be uttered" actually means "spoken with understanding;" not understood with the natural mind. Our understanding is unfruitful. The only way we can understand what is being said, is if the Holy Spirit should give us the revelation.
Yet, we know this, "God is for us (Rom. 8:31)!" God is in us (1 John 4:4)! God is in us, working for us, to do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). God's good pleasure is that we prosper in our soul and be in health (3 John 1:2). When we pray in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit searches our hearts and makes intercession according to the will of God "which includes healing for our bodies."
There were times when I had a need for healing in my own body. As I prayed in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit helped me to receive healing.
Let me give you one example: I had a growth on the first finger of my right hand, at the last joint. The growth came about within a few days and became about the size of a pencil eraser. It was like a wart, yet very sore when I touched it. It became a problem when I would hold a pencil to write.
At first I thought it was just some ordinary sore that would go away in a few days. So I just put a Band-Aid on it to protect it. It kept getting larger and I still just kept a Band-Aid on it. I only changed the Band-Aid when it became loose or warn. After about fifteen days of this, "while praying in the Spirit," driving from one town to the next, the Spirit of God spoke to me from my spirit. "Why don't you curse that growth on your finger the way Jesus cursed the fig tree, and command it to die and fall off?" I held my finger up in front of me and said something like this, "in the name of Jesus, I command this growth to die, and fall off my finger!"
Noting seemed to happen at that time, only later I noticed that it did not get any larger. I continued to put new Band-Aids on when the old ones were worn. It took about a month, and one day when I took off the old Band-Aid to put on a new one "the growth come off with the Band-Aid," there wasn't even a mark on my finger where the growth had been.
What would have happened if I had not been praying in the Spirit that day? No one knows for sure, but most likely I would have had to go to a doctor and have the growth removed.
The Holy Spirit is our helper. He will help us to overcome sickness and disease in our bodies "if we pray in the Spirit." It is while we are praying in the Spirit that we are in communication with Him. When we are in communication with the Holy Spirit, we are in fellowship with Him. This fellowship brings about an opportunity for Him to intercede for us, and to help us overcome whatever needs to be overcome. In this case it was the growth on my finger.
Our praying in the Spirit gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to work for us on our behalf. He is for us, not against us!
Many times we know what the problem is, but don't know just how to pray to overcome the situation. For instance, we do not always know if it is an evil spirit that is causing the condition or if it is just a manifestation of some deficiency in our bodies. Maybe a lack of some vitamin or mineral needed by the body. If we do not take care of our bodies with proper food, clothing, and shelter; it is not always an evil spirit that is the cause of our sickness or disease. No, it's just plain neglect on our part.
The Holy Spirit can help us in cases where we don't know what it is that is causing the condition, "spiritual or not." While praying in the Spirit, He can pray with us, making intercession for us, without our even knowing what is the cause. He can also make known to us what the cause is, that we can take the proper steps to correct the problem. He can reveal to us what we should do, and how we should do it. He is our helper, in all areas of our life, both spiritual and natural.
It is the praying in the Spirit that gives the Holy Spirit the authority to intercede for us on our behalf. It is the praying in the Spirit that puts us in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, that He can reveal things to us.
Those who do not pray in the Spirit are ignoring the Holy Spirit, not giving Him a opportunity to work for them in their life. We ought to be "praying always, in the Spirit" (Eph. 6:18), building up our most holy faith "praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 1:20).
The faith that it takes to receive healing is built up while praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20).
HEALING IN THE NAME OF JESUS
In Mark 16:16-18 Jesus said,
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
In this case the healing of the sick is dependent upon the use of Jesus' name. The use of Jesus' name is dependent upon believing, the name of Jesus will work to heal the sick "if they believe."
The name of Jesus is above every name. Philippians 2:9-10 says,
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.
For everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as LORD, and in the use of His name to heal the sick, the name of Jesus will work. The extent to which the name will produce healing in a persons body is dependent upon who believes and, and if they believe.
Peter used the name of Jesus against the infirmity of a man at the gate of the temple in Acts 3:1-8. This man was lame from his birth. Peter commanded the man to rise up and walk in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He also took the man by his right hand and lifted him up.
It is important to understand that the man needed to believe also. Yet the believing does not necessarily have to be "great faith." What was it that brought belief to the man? Did he know who Jesus of Nazareth was? Had he heard of Jesus? Most likely he had for Jesus Himself had entered the temple in Jerusalem many times.
In Matthew 21:10-14 it tells us that Jesus went into the temple at Jerusalem and drove out the money changers and them that sold doves, saying, "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them."
This man, at the gate of the temple, was there daily asking alms of them that entered into the temple. Being there daily, he was most likely there the day that Jesus cast out the money changers and healed those who came to Him in the temple.
All the faith this man needed to be healed in the Name of Jesus was to believe in Jesus. Peter was convinced in himself that the name of Jesus would work to heal the lame man. Therefore, in speaking the Name of Jesus, he took him by the hand. The man, seeing the faith of Peter, took Peter's hand as he lifted him up, "and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength" (Acts 3:7).
Will the name of Jesus work? Yes, every time there are those who believe in that name. Yet, for the name of Jesus to work "immediately," there must be an immediate response to the use of His name. That is to say, "faith produces action!" Faith without works is dead (James 2:20).
Believing produces faith. There is a progress in the Word of God that produces faith. It starts with hearing the Word of God. Hearing brings hope, hope brings believing, believing brings faith.
Therefore there are three steps to receiving from God, hope, believing, and faith. The name of Jesus will not work in hope. One person can believe and the other only have hope, and nothing will happen. Even though the Name of Jesus is above every name, and at the name of Jesus every knee, every sickness, every disease must bow. If there is only hope on the part of the person who needs healing it will not work. But, if they will believe they shall recover.
The difference between immediate recovery or future recovery is sometimes dependent upon if they only believe or if they have faith! Believing sometimes causes the manifestation to come to pass in the future, whereas faith many times causes immediate manifestation.
Christians need to change their hope to believing, and believing to faith. Then, as it says, "the just shall live by faith!" We must continue on, in the Word of God until our hope is turned from believing to faith! When it reaches the faith level the name of Jesus will work whenever we use it. Every knee will bow to that name which is above every name, the name of Jesus!
Therefore, we must "fight the good fight of faith, laying hold onto eternal life" (1 Tim. 6:12), the life you received when you were born again into the family of God.
Being in Christ, you are justified. You are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ. Your justification is given to you freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. It says in Romans 3:22-24,
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
If the just are to live by faith, this faith must be in Christ Jesus and in His name, which is above every name! Therefore, believing in the name of Jesus when hands are laid upon you will cause you to be healed. Faith many times will cause an immediate manifestation, whereas believing many times will cause a future manifestation.
In whatsoever we do as Christians, let us forever cause our hope to turn into believing and our believing into faith, that we may walk by faith and not by sight. For the Scripture says, "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17). "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith" (Gal. 3:11).
Never let doubt rob you of the power of the name of Jesus! The only thing that can prevent the Name of Jesus from working in your life is doubt and unbelief. Look what it says in Mark 6:5,6
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
If Jesus could do no mighty work because of unbelief at that time, His name still cannot do any mighty work because of doubt and unbelief today. Therefore, the Scripture says, "The just shall live by faith." Faith in the name of Jesus will work every time those who believe will use His name.
Because of the attacks of the devil against our minds (2 Cor. 4:4, 10:5), we need to use the name of Jesus often. When thoughts come to our minds that try to get us to accept symptoms of sickness or disease; our first action should be, come against it "in the name of Jesus." Reject those thoughts, in the name of Jesus. Sometimes thoughts will try to keep coming, but using the name of Jesus against them usually stops them. Christians ought to be using the name of Jesus often against any attempts to put sickness of disease upon them, or attempts to keep sickness and disease upon them. Never stop using the name of Jesus against any or the works of the devil.
Remember, as a born again Christian, you have more right to use the name of Jesus than the disciples had before Jesus died on the cross. They were authorized to use His name, by His authority (Luke 10:19). Christians today are authorized to use the name of Jesus by the new birth (they are one with Christ, He dwells in them). Therefore, when Christians use the name of Jesus it is the same as if Jesus was doing the speaking Himself. Never stop using the name of Jesus against the devil and his demons. Being "one spirit with the LORD" (1 Cor. 6:17), entitles you to the use of His name in place of your name. Jesus is in you (John 14:20,23, 17:23, 1 John 5:12,20), the Father is in you (John 14:23, 2 John 1:9), the Holy Spirit is in you (1 John 3:24, 4:13), therefore, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
The name of Jesus works when you know you have the authority to use it. It's your right as a Christian to use Jesus' name against any work of the devil.
WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS
Many have looked the Scriptures over from Genesis to Revelation for the key to healing. There are keys to healing. In Matthew 16:19. Jesus said to Peter, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven..." There are many keys to the kingdom (reign) of heaven.
One of these keys of the kingdom is referred to in James 5:16. It says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." In the King James Version of the Bible the key is hidden by the use of the word "ye". It says, "that ye (YOU) may be healed." Who is the YOU that James is speaking of? The one that is in need of healing is the "YOU" that is being spoken of.
What are his instructions to those who need healing. His instructions are, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed..."
The persons who need healing are the ones that should confess their faults one to another. The persons who need the healing are also the ones who should do the praying. Yes, pray for someone else who also needs healing. If you will pray for the healing of those who need healing YOU also will be healed.
When you pray effectually, and fervently, your prayer will be answered. If you pray from your heart for the healing of others, not looking upon yourself, "not giving to get," but praying effectually, and fervently for the other person, God will answer your prayer and heal yourself as well as the other person.
Understand it this way: If you are not selfish, not self motivated, not looking for something for yourself, but praying an effectual fervent prayer for the other person, God will heal the other person and you as well.
In other words, when you have denied your own self-interest, and have completely turned your attention to the needs of others; God will meet your needs.
Looking at this a little closer, let us see what Jesus said to His disciples. First in Matthew 6:8 Jesus said, "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." This means that God the Father already knows what you have need of. Them in Matthew 6:25-31, Jesus talked about not taking any thought for the things we need, food, drink, clothing, etc. and in verse 32 He said, "...for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."
So God knows everything about you, even to the number of hairs on your head. Surely, He knows your needs. Then Jesus said, "but seek ye first the reign of God and His righteousness, and all these shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33, YLT). The reign of God in your life will cause God to supply all your needs. All the things you have need of will be added to you.
When we look a the reign of God in our lives we must understand what that means. It means, "putting God in control, getting ourselves out of the way." Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt. 16:24).
Two things of importance to see in this statement of Jesus. First, is denying one's self. That is, not considering one's own interest or gain. Considering only the gain of others, or the deliverance of others from their condition.
The second is "take up your cross." What does it mean to take up your cross? First a person must understand what the cross of Jesus represents. The cross represents the deliverance and setting free of others. Jesus took up His cross, the cross of Calvary to set men free of sin, sickness, disease, and infirmities and eternal death. It was Jesus' cross. He bore His cross for the setting free of others from the powers of the devil.
The only cross we can claim as "our cross" is the position God has given to us as "sons of God," sent to set others free. Our cross does not represent any problem, tribulation, or condition that we may have in our life. It only represents the problems of others; first those in the body of Christ, and second those held in darkness by the god of this world.
If anyone believes they have to bare their own burdens and call it "their cross," they do not understand the meaning of the cross Jesus is speaking of. In 1 Peter 5:7, it says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." The reason Jesus came into this world was to set us free of all our cares, whatever it is that comes against us. Jesus' cross was our sins, sickness, diseases, infirmities, eternal death, etc. He did not have any sins, sickness, disease, or infirmities of His own.
Therefore, our cross is the burden of others, especially those of the household of God. For we are one body, fitly joined together, to support one another; that the whole body may function effectively against the powers of darkness.
The whole principle of the kingdom of God is based upon prayer, believing, and giving that others may receive. Jesus did not come into this world because He had a need of His own. Jesus did not come to defend Himself against the attacks of Satan. Jesus stayed on the offence against Satan, not on the defence. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, not let the devil destroy Him.
Jesus defeated the devil by giving, not by receiving. He gave His life, and became the first born of many brethren. He gave His life, and gained more lives than any man can number (Rev. 7:9). The principle of the kingdom of God is giving, not receiving. The receiving comes as a result of the giving.
The only way to take up "your cross" is to deny yourself, get all concern for yourself out of the way so you can pray effectually and fervently for others.
Now the last part of James 5:16 says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Who is a righteous man? The only righteous men on earth today are "those who believe." We believe unto righteousness. Romans 4:3 says, "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." It was Abraham's believing God's Word that made him righteous. Romans 3:22 says, "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." Righteousness is upon all them that believe. We could say, "righteousness is imputed upon all who believe." You don't earn your righteousness, "it is given to you; if you believe."
What makes a person righteous before they pray? That is to say, how do we know if we are righteous, that we can pray for others? Our righteousness comes by our believing on Jesus Christ. When we believe that: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That He came into this world. That He died on the cross for the sins of the world. That God rose Him again from the dead. That God made Him LORD over all things. Then we are righteous. Therefore, when we receive Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior we become righteous. As we confess our sins, God cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Being righteous, when we pray an effectual fervent prayer for someone who is sick, we know they will be healed. It is the believing that God will answer that prayer that brings healing to their body.
Therefore, any born again child of God can pray an effectual fervent prayer, if they believe God will answer their prayer. The answer to all prayer is based upon believing and righteousness.
It is much easier for a born again Christian to believe that God will heal someone else than it is to believe God will heal them. Therefore, James 5:16 will work when almost all others fail. The more a Christian prays for others to be healed, the faster they will be healed. This is a principle of the kingdom of God "how the kingdom of God works on earth."
The kingdom of God on earth is "God working in His kingdom according to His Word." What James wrote in James 5:16, was not James' idea. It was God, the Holy Spirit, inspiring James to write what He said He will do, if we will do what He said.
God said it will work this way, and God cannot lie. Therefore, if all else seems to fail, and you are not getting healed: go to some hospital and start praying for those in the hospital. Keep praying for others in the hospital until your prayers for them bring healing to your body. It says it will happen in James 5:16. You pray for others, and you will be healed.
Let me just add a little clue, "if you pray for everyone in the hospital and God heals them all, even the devil may remove his sickness off your body just to stop you from praying for others." You destroy his works, and he will flee from you.
This may sound a little out of context, but at one time someone asked me to write a book for those in prison. I said to them from my spirit; not from my mind: "Tell those in prison that if they would go around the prison praying for all others in the prison, the devil will get them released just to stop them from praying for others."
So the end answer to your healing is "pray for others, that you may be healed" (James 5:16).
HEALING BY THE WORD OF GOD
In Psalm 107:15 it says, "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 it says, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Often we forget to praise the LORD for all He has already done in our lives. When things are not going well we focus upon that which is not good and forget to praise the LORD for all He has done that is good. When it comes to healing for our bodies, we need a to see the love of God from a different view point than many have seen it. Let us first look back at Psalm 107:17-20. It says,
Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
The writer of this psalm gave an example from the time when the children of Israel became as fools, for they murmured and complained because of their conditions which they had brought upon themselves. They spent forty years wondering around in the wilderness when they could have been in the land of milk and honey. If they had believed God when He promised to go before them into the land of Canaan and drive out all the inhabitants, they would not have spent forty years in the wilderness.
The writer of Psalm 107 said it was because of their transgressions and their iniquities that they were afflicted. Sometimes we need to take a closer look at our own lives to see if the sickness or disease is because of our own transgressions or iniquities, "that is, because we didn't believe God would go before us as we inherit the promises of God."
God promised us health and freedom from sickness and disease by the stripes Jesus bore on the cross of Calvary for us. God promised the children of Israel that He would not permit sickness and disease upon them if they kept His commandments and His statutes.
Back in Exodus, Chapter fifteen it tells us, following the opening of the Red Sea, the children of Israel sang praises to the LORD for their deliverance from Egypt. Following that, three days later, they came to Marah and the water was bitter. They murmured against Moses and Moses cried to the LORD because of the water. The LORD had Moses cast a tree into the water and it became sweet. Then the LORD said, "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee."
This and many other times in the lives of the children of Israel they did not do as the LORD had instructed them and found themselves in great distress, sickness and disease. Yet, the LORD healed them when they turned to Him for help.
So the writer of Psalm 107:18-20 says,
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Yes, even when they were, "so to speak," the cause of their condition; when they cried unto the LORD He saved them. Look how He saved them! "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."
Some may ask, does this mean physical healing for their bodies? Yes, it says their soul abhorreth all manner of meat. Their soul, meaning their thoughts and their speaking, caused the meat to became an abomination unto them. That is, useless, as if it were a curse. Because of it they drew near to death. Therefore their condition was physical, near to death. Yet, they cried unto the LORD and He saved them, healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
How did the LORD heal them? It says "by His Word," which He sent. Why did they need healing for their bodies? Because of their own doing, their transgressions and iniquities.
Some may have never noticed that sin, sickness and disease are like brothers, they go around together. They look alike but manifest in a different form. Sin manifest in the actions and speaking of an individual. Whereas, sickness and disease manifest in the physical body of an individual. These are both "works of the devil." In 1 John 3:8 it says, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
Does this mean that only those who are the devils helpers commit sin, those who are not children of God? No. But it does mean that those who commit sin are helping the devil, for the devil sinned from the beginning. He is the author of sin, the originator of sin. Romans 6:16 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Sin brings death. Sin, sickness, and disease are all works of the devil. Once Christians understand this they can have victory over sin, sickness, and disease; not by their works of righteousness but what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.
Rather than go into condemnation over the first part of 1 John 3:8, or Romans 6:16, we need to finish the other part of 1 John 3:8, where it says, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
It is because we have not believed the Word of God, that sickness and disease have come upon us. Doubt and unbelief is contrary to the Word of God for His children. When God sent His Word and healed them from their destructions He destroyed the works of the devil.
God's purpose in sending His Son, Jesus, was not to punish His children, but to destroy the works of the devil among His children. Have we not read "God is Love"? Love does not destroy those who they love, love sets them free of all their destructions.
God's Word is the highest authority in all of creation. As a mater of fact, it tells us in Hebrews 11:3 that the worlds were framed by the Word of God. Jesus is called the Word of God in Revelation 19:13. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." We know this is talking about Jesus for in verse fourteen it says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Therefore, Jesus and the Word of God are one. God never changes. His Word never changes. Therefore, what God has done for the children of Israel in the past, He will also do for us (or I should say, "He has already done for us").
When God sent Jesus into this world is was to destroy the works of the devil. Sin, sickness, and disease are all works of the devil.
Now, let us look at the power of the Word of God over sickness and disease. In Matthew 8:8 a centurion said to Jesus, "speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." What kind of healing did his servant need? Physical, he was sick of the palsy. Jesus spoke the Word and the centurion's servant was healed the same hour.
So what are we saying to those who have evidence of sickness or disease in their body? "Speak the Word!" God sent His Word, and healed them "or to heal them," which ever way it works best for you. Use it, use the Word of God against all the works of the devil.
Don't let sin, sickness, or disease put you under condemnation, but by the grace and love of God receive deliverance by "His Word." God sent His Word to help you, to set you free! Receive it, and speak it until all symptoms leave!
In Isaiah 43:25-26 the LORD said,
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
If the LORD wants us to remind Him of what He has already done for us, them certainly it would not be wrong for us to remind the devil of what the LORD had done for us.
God sent His Son, His Word, and delivered us from all our destructions. If it is already done, and it is; then we need to remind ourselves, as well as the devil, "It is finished!" We are healed, by the stripes of Jesus! The devil is a liar! We don't walk by sight, we walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7).
"It is written, `The just shall live by faith'" (Rom. 1:17). Not, by sight, nor by feelings in the flesh.
There is so much more we could say, but just come to the understanding, that by the Word of God we are healed and delivered from all our destructions.
THE UNJUST JUDGE
In Luke 18:2-5 Jesus gave this account of an unjust judge:
There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
Have you ever considered that Satan is an unjust judge? He is called the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). He pays wages to those who work for him. Romans 6:23 tells us "the wages of sin is death..." Death comes from Satan, it is an enemy of all who are in Christ (1 Cor. 15:26).
Christians are not of this world (John 17:16). Satan is not our God, we belong to Jesus. Satan is unjust in putting sickness or disease on our bodies. Therefore, he is an unjust judge. What should we do with an unjust judge? Jesus spoke of a woman who continually troubled the unjust judge, that he would release her of her adversary.
What about sickness and disease on Christians. Christians are not of this world. Christians do not belong to the devil. They are children of God. When demons come against our bodies with sickness or disease, they are unjust; they are an adversary... An adversary is an opponent. They oppose our health.
There is a second part to what Jesus taught on the unjust judge. Luke 18:6-8 says,
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Who will deliver us from sickness and disease? How will we get deliverance? If we continually come against the spirits that cause sickness or disease, over and over and over again, commanding them to leave our bodies they will go. What is it that will make them go? FAITH! Faith in the Word of God.
Satan is an unjust judge. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and demons attack our bodies. Take for instance "cancer." Cancer is a demon, that attaches itself to our body and cause a growth of unwanted tissue to grow and spread, hindering the proper working of individual parts of our body. It is unjust that a Christian should have a demon of cancer in their body.
Jesus said in Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Sickness and disease are enemies of Christians. We have power over all enemies...
How do we use this power over the enemy of cancer? We speak to the cancer, command it to leave our bodies in the name of Jesus. We have the right to use the name of Jesus (we are in Him and He is in us; we belong to Him). Jesus gave us the right to use His name... Jesus defeated Satan and all his demons on the cross of Calvary... Jesus striped them of their power, and made an open show of them; triumphed over them (Col. 2:14,15).
The demons know that at the name of Jesus they must go... They always knew they could not stand against the name of Jesus. In Luke 10:17, it tells us, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." When Jesus entered the synagogue of Capernaum on a sabbath day; Mark 1:23-26 tells us;
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
The demons know they have to go... They know who Jesus of Nazareth is, they know they have no choice but to leave... But, what is it that causes them to leave? Speaking to them, commanding them to leave. They did not leave the man until Jesus told them to come out of him...
We can command the demons to come out of our bodies and never return... We command them in the name of Jesus, the name above every name...(Philip. 2:9-11). Jesus said in Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..." As we continually command the demons to go, they must go.
What will God do if we continually command the demons of cancer to go? God looks for our faith (Luke 18:8). When God sees our faith, He avenges us speedily... It don't take God long to cast the demon out, by the power of His Spirit, when He sees our faith...
Where does our faith come from? Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." We have the Word of God concerning healing for our bodies (1 Peter 2:23). We have the Word of God concerning the use of the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17). We have the Word of God concerning power to cast out demons (Luke 10:19). We know God hears our prayers, our speaking, our commanding...for we have His Word on it.
In 1 John 5:14,15 it tells us,
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Why continue to speak to the demon (cancer)? Because Jesus said we should, He told us to do it...(Luke 18:2-8). Because, our faith is built up as we hear the Word of God coming out of our mouth (Rom. 10:17).
There are many reports "today," of those who continually spoke to the demons and commanded them to leave their bodies... Sometimes it took a day, a week, even a few weeks... Whatever time it takes, it's not important. What's important is that the demons does go, and healing comes to our bodies...
One woman spoke to a growth on her face for ten days. After ten days, while cleaning her floor, the growth dropped off and fell on the floor in front of her. She looked at her face in a mirror and there was new skin in it's place... Praise the LORD! It works!
If we speak to the demons, command them to leave; God will avenge us of our adversary... The sickness or disease will leave, and we will be free of whatsoever the devil tried to put upon us.
PART IV
HINDRANCES TO RECEIVING HEALING
APPLYING WISDOM TO KNOWLEDGE
In this world, Satan wants to control all circumstances. He has many devices and ways to try to control circumstances. Ephesians 4:27 says, "Neither give place to the devil." James 4:7 says, ". . .Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Some of the attributes of Satan are pride, boasting, self-exaltation, etc. These are not from God. From God there is plain and simple truth, courage, and confession of truth without being ashamed, etc.
The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10,
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Salvation means "deliverance from the works of the devil." Sickness and disease are works of the devil. Confession of the truth brings deliverance from sickness and disease.
By applying wisdom to our confession we will not give place to the devil. By not applying wisdom to knowledge we may be giving place to the devil. There is one rule that will help when it comes to receiving deliverance from sickness or disease, that is as Paul wrote in Romans 14:22, "Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God . . ."
If you desire healing for your body, it's between you and God. Satan is your enemy. Your confession of faith before God and Satan will bring deliverance. But, sometimes your confession without faith before men will bring on an attack from Satan. If you have faith, have it to yourself before God. You don't have to tell everyone else before the manifestation to receive healing. Tell it to God, tell it to the devil, keep it to yourself unless asked to speak. Never deny the truth, but don't go beyond the bounds of truth.
Some try to receive healing through their confession, and their faith is not yet at that level. Confession works when you believe in your heart. Romans 10:9 says, ". . .and shalt believe in thine heart. . ." First believe in your heart then confess with your mouth unto salvation. If it is not fully settled in your heart, keep your mouth closed before men.
If someone asks you how do you feel? You don't have to give them the answer they are looking for. It's none of their business. If you are walking by faith, as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, just tell them I don't go by how I feel. Stop there and don't give them any other information. They don't need a detailed explanation. If they are not listening to the Spirit of God they may be listening to the wrong spirit. Therefore, give no place for the devil. Your words are spirit, they can bring life or death, health or sickness; it's your choice by the words you speak. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Confession before faith "helps you" to hear the Word of God as you speak it out of your mouth. It helps to build your faith.
Some Christians, with good intentions and a lack of wisdom want to boast of their great faith before faith comes. Boasting is not of God. Self-exaltation is not of God. But faith and wisdom are of God. James teaches us to learn to bridle our tongue. Those who love to talk, open the door for the devil. Jesus did not give long explanations to what He did and why He did it. We don't have to give long explanations to what we believe and why we believe it either.
Sometimes we can learn from experience. There was a time when I broke my toe on a Saturday afternoon in a downtown apartment building. I drove home, took off my shoe and saw the swelling, the black and blue coloring of my foot. I felt the pain.
When this happened my mind began to receive thoughts from the devil. I knew it was broken. I had experienced a broken bone in my body years ago. The pain of a broken bone is different than that of a sprain or torn ligament.
The thought came to me, "I had better go to the hospital and get it x-rayed, to be sure the bone was in the right place. The second thought that went through my head was, "when I do that the doctor will cut out the front of my shoe and put a bandage on my toe, and I will go around like that for about six weeks."
Then the Spirit of God rose up within me and said, "you don't have to do that, by His stripes you are healed, He bore your sickness and infirmities, tell the devil to take a jump".
Immediately I said, "Devil get out, I don't need this and you can't put this on me, by His stripes I am healed." "Jesus, Himself took my infirmities and bare my sickness, so you can go take a jump! Thank you Jesus."
All this time I was alone in the house. I spoke those words out-loud to the devil and I confessed before God my healing. Then I took a shower, dressed up, and went out for lunch. The thought again came to me to go to the hospital and have an x-ray, but then I said within myself, "why should I spend God's money for something I didn't need. God's Word is true and I am healed."
That whole day, my foot was very sore but I kept on going. The person I went to lunch with said to me, "Merle, you should have stayed home. You shouldn't be walking around on that foot." I just said, "don't worry about it, it's Ok."
The next day the soreness left. It was Sunday and I was in a Church that always asks for testimonies of those who God was doing a great work in their lives. It was common for people to confess before the evidence was there of what God was doing. Many of them never received the manifestation of what they confessed. The opportunity was there for me to confess, but I kept quiet. I didn't give place for the devil.
On Monday evening I showed my foot to those at my house who were there for a share group meeting. All we could see was one red spot and a blue stripe mark where the break had been. Praise the LORD for His word! By Tuesday all was back to normal, no red spot, no blue stripe.
On Friday, I showed my foot to a friend of mine who was a nurse. I told her what had happened the Saturday before and how the foot came back to normal in three days. She said, "It had to be God, for in the natural it would take ten days to two weeks before the black and blue color would be gone."
Wisdom, when to speak and when not to is important. Confession before God and the devil is important. Confession brings deliverance. Confession before men should be by the guidance of the Spirit of God within you.
The Scripture says in Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." This leading of the Spirit of God should be a constant part of our life. The Spirit of God knows when to confess and when not to confess. The Spirit of God knows the difference between faith and pride, boasting or self-exhortation. Follow the leading of the Spirit of God and you will not give place for the devil. God will be glorified, and the devil will flee.
Too much confession before men may open the door for the devil. Don't give place for the devil. Instead, give glory to God by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
DOUBT AND UNBELIEF
In Matthew 13:54-58 it says,
And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Mark 6:1-6 tells us of the same account.
It wasn't because Jesus didn't want to heal them. Jesus wants to heal everyone, no matter where they are from or who they are. It wasn't that Jesus tried and it didn't work. Jesus didn't even try to heal those with unbelief. He knew they did not believe. Jesus only healed a few who would believe He wanted to heal them.
Faith only operates when we know the truth. Jesus wants to heal everyone. Jesus will heal anyone who will believe. It is by grace through faith that we can and will be healed.
In Mark 9:22-27 A man brought his son to Jesus to have a spirit cast out of him. The father of the child said,
...ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
If we have unbelief it can be overcome by the Word of God. Jesus wants us to overcome our unbelief. Jesus wants to heal us. Unbelief can stop the work of God in our lives. We need to overcome unbelief by faith. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Faith does not come by hearing anything contrary to the Truth of the Word of God.
NOT DISCERNING THE LORD'S BODY
The Bible lists certain causes for sickness and disease among Christians. One of these is in 1 Corinthians, Chapter Eleven. It says in 1 Corinthians 11:30, "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep." This tells us that "one major cause" for many being sickly and many dying and going to be with the LORD before their time is caused by something already revealed before verse thirty.
Looking back from verse thirty we see already in 1 Corinthians 10:31-32 it says,
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.
In this there is listed two major causes for sickness and premature death among Christians. The first is not doing all things for the glory of God. The second is causing offence to the Jews, the unbelievers, or the church (which is the body of Christ).
Following the minor causes for sickness among Christians it goes on to uncover the greater causes "divisions within the body of Christ." In 1 Corinthians 11:18 it says, "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it." Then in the following verse it identifies the cause of divisions "heresies." It says, "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you" (1 Cor. 11:19).
Now we have four things listed, not glorifying God, offenses, divisions, and heresies. These could be looked at as progressive causes to sickness and premature death. At each one of these stages, if we would repent and make corrections in our lives the next stage would not occur. The work of the devil would be stopped and the body of Christ would not suffer the end result, sickness, and premature death.
Glorying in self and offenses work together to cause the wrath of God to come upon Christians (Rom. 1:18-32). Whereas division and heresies also work together to cause sickness and disease and premature death among Christians.
Divisions start by spirits that accuse others of wrong doing. Usually these accusations are based upon what someone hears or sees. They hear something that is said, and a deceiving spirit brings the thought of judgement against that individual.
To overcome this spirit we need to understand what Jesus did and said. In John 8:3-20, they brought a woman to Jesus that was caught in the act of adultery. After setting the woman free, Jesus said to those around Him, "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man" (John 8:15). The position Jesus took was not to go according to what He saw or what He heard. The prophet Isaiah, speaking of the coming of Jesus said, "...he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears" (Isa. 11:3).
Jesus said in John 12:49, "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." So, what was Jesus doing when they brought the woman to Him, "...tempting Him, that they might have to accuse him." (John 8:6). It says, "...But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not" (John 8:6). Notice that the words "as though he heard them not, are in italics. This means that those words were added by the translators. They were not in the original Greek text. Now we can see what Jesus was doing when He "stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground." Jesus waited unto He had heard from His Father, what He should say and do.
Jesus did not make the judgement concerning the woman caught in the act of adultery based upon what they told Him (the hearing of His ear). He received His information from His Father in the spirit. What He heard His Father say, that He spoke and that He did.
This is the type of operation all of the Children of God should move in. They should not judge by the hearing of the ear or the seeing of the eye, but by what they receive of God in the spirit. By this they would not cause divisions among the body of Christ.
Many say, they get their information on how they should judge another person from the Word of God. Many times that ends up in "heresy," for their interpretation of the Word of God is not always from the Spirit of God. The Spirit must agree with the Word of God.
For instance, some will say, "yes, God did heal people in the Bible times, but that was only during the early church, its no longer that way today." That's heresy! Others say, Healing is not for today, God only healed people then for this or that reason." That's heresy! Some say, "yes God heals people today, but healing is not for everyone!" That's heresy! Some say "God puts sickness and disease upon His Children to teach them to be humble, or for some other reason." That's heresy!
Churches that teach "it is not the will of God to heal everyone of every manner of sickness and disease" are teaching heresy. The Scripture says, "And he (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). When Jesus went to the cross for our sins, not ours only, but the sins of the whole world, He also took our sickness and disease upon Himself that we could also be healed. Healing for our bodies is just as important as forgiveness of sins.
Why are so many Christians sickly and dying prematurely? Heresy is being taught in the churches. Heresies and divisions cause many Christians to become sickly and die before their time. Therefore, if we would judge ourselves concerning other members of the LORD's body we could repent and be healed of any sickness or diseases we have because of it.
No matter how much good a Christian does, or how great a ministry they have, if they cause divisions and heresies within the body of Christ they may not get healed. They must first judge themselves and repent, then they can be healed.
It they teach "healing is for today, and God will confirm His Word with signs following," Christians will be healed and not die prematurely.
There are still other ways of not discerning the LORD'S body and can be a hindrance to receiving healing.
Another way to discern the LORD'S body is that "the LORD'S body was given for our healing." This could be just as important as that which Paul wrote of in 1 Corinthians, Chapter Eleven. Remember, what Jesus said and did the night of what we call "the last supper?"
Jesus kept the Passover with His disciples. Keeping the Passover was a commandment to the Jews, given in Exodus 12:14. It says, "And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever." In Matthew 26:26 it says, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body." Following that, it says,
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:27,28).
The bread was His body (for healing of our bodies). The cup was His blood for the remission of sins.
Therefore, we now have the ordinance in the New Covenant, after Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant of the Jewish Passover. What was the difference between the two ordinances? One was a lamb and the blood of an animal. The other is the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
The question remains, are we going to forget about the body, and only receive the blood? God said this ordinance is for ever. We believe the blood is eternal, everlasting (Heb. 9:12). In Hebrews 13:20 it says, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant." The blood was the seal of the covenant, but the body was also a part of the covenant that was sealed with the blood.
Just as the body of the lamb was given for the children of Israel at the Passover (Ex. 13:5-13), the body of our LORD Jesus Christ was given for the healing of our bodies. Matthew 8:17 says, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." 1 Peter 2:24 says, "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
If we let the people of today tell us that this does not mean healing for our bodies it will bring doubt and unbelief. If we believe it does mean healing for our bodies then we can have faith to receive our healing.
The Devil uses people to bring about doubt and unbelief; God uses His Word to bring about faith.
Today, among the Christians there are many sickly, and many have passed on from this life because they have not discerned the body of Jesus Christ the way the children of Israel discerned the body of the lamb the night of the Passover.
If we would judge ourselves based upon grace, and the covenant we have with God through Jesus Christ, the seed of Abraham; and rightly discerning the body of the LORD we could live without sickness in our bodies.
In discerning the LORD'S body, our taking of the bread in remembrance of Jesus' body is representative of the serpent on the staff in Numbers 21:7-9. Jesus spoke of this incident in the wilderness in John 3:14, saying, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up."
To understand the brazen serpent on the staff, we must understand what it was that caused God to instruct Moses to make that serpent and put it on a staff.
It started in Egypt, from the time the children of Israel left toward the Red sea. The children of Israel departed from Egypt approximately April 15th, 1491 B.C. following the night of the Passover. On approximately April 17, 1491 B.C. they came to the Red sea. At the Red sea the children of Israel complained and spoke against Moses, saying,
...Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness (Exodus 14:11,12).
But the LORD spoke to Moses to raise his rod and stretch out his hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel walked across on dry land.
Then on approximately April 20, 1491 B.C. the children of Israel to come Marah, in the wilderness. There they could not drink the water, for it was bitter. The people murmured against Moses. The LORD instructed Moses to take a tree and cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet.
At that time the LORD spoke to Moses said, "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee" (Ex. 15:26). Moses then told these words to the children of Israel.
Then on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of Egypt they came into the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai. There the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron about a lack of food. And the LORD gave them manna in the morning (Ex. 16:4). At that time the LORD gave the children of Israel the commandment concerning the Sabbath day.
From there the children of Israel journeyed to Rephidim; and there was no water there. Again the children murmured about the water and the LORD commanded Moses to smite the rock with his rod and water shall come out of the rock. This place was then called Meribah. (This is where Moses disobeyed God in the way he spoke to the children of Israel and smote the rock, therefore Moses was not permitted to enter into the land of Canaan).
This is where the Amalek came against Israel. This is when Moses set Joshua to lead the army of Israel against the Amalek, while Aaron and Hur held up Moses hands until the battle was won. (This is the first time Oshea the son of Nun was called Joshua--meaning "Jehovah is salvation").
The children of Israel came to Mount Horeb in the wilderness. There they pitched their tents before the mount. Here at Mount Horeb, Moses went up into the mountain and God spoke to Moses, and also to the children of Israel at times. Here is where, and when, God gave the children of Israel the ten commandments along with other laws. Moses, at one time, was up in the mountain forty days and forty nights.
While Moses was gone forty days and forty nights the children of Israel gathered themselves together unto Aaron and he made them a molten calf of gold which they worshiped. This caused God to say to Moses that He would consume them; and make of Moses a great nation. Moses interceded for the children of Israel and the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do.
They then built the tabernacle according to all that God had commanded Moses while in the mount. Approximately one year after leaving Egypt the tabernacle was completed and the LORD continued to instruct the children of Israel on the laws and the order of service of the Levities, and those of the other tribes.
About June, 1490 B.C. (about a year and 2 months after leaving Egypt), Moses was instructed of the LORD to send spies into the land of Canaan to spy out the land (Num. 13:1). Twelve spies were sent, one from each tribe. They were gone forty days, spying out the land. They returned to Kadesh, ten of them gave an evil report and the whole congregation murmured again. At that time Moses interceded again for the children of Israel, but it tells us in Numbers 14:20-24,
And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.
Joshua and Caleb were the only two over twenty years old that entered into the promised land after Moses died.
On the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year they began to move from Sinai to Dadesh-Barnea. Again the people complained and the LORD heard it. The fire of the LORD was kindled; and the fire burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. They called the name of the place Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.
The children then traveled and pitched at Kibroth. There they murmured and complained about the manna, asking of flesh to eat. The LORD then caused a wind that brought quail from the sea, heaped up two cubits high a days journey from the camp.
It could have been was years after Mount Hobeb, Kadesh that it tells us in Numbers 21:5-9;
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
So, why was a serpent of brass put upon a pole in the wilderness? Why was it that if those who were bitten by the fiery serpent would behold the serpent of brass, they would live?
It is somewhat understood that the fiery serpents that did the biting were a type of Satan and a work of sin. Jesus said in John 3:14, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up." This is a type of deliverance from sin, sickness and disease caused by works of the devil.
Death came by sin, and sickness and disease proceeds death in many cases. But sin, sickness, disease, and death are all overcome by looking unto Jesus who was raised up on the cross of Calvary for our healing and forgiveness of sins.
The lifting up of Jesus on the Cross is symbolic of the brazen serpent on the pole in the wilderness. The purpose is for the healing of our bodies, that the people who look upon the Cross would receive healing for their bodies. For on the Cross of Calvary, Jesus bore our sickness, disease, and infirmities for us; that we could receive health and live. He paid the price with His stripes that we could go free of sickness and disease.
Healing for our bodies has been purchased and paid for by Jesus Christ. It is a free gift to all of God's children by a covenant that God made with the seed of Abraham and is ours through Christ. Our problem is, we don't know our covenant rights according to the Word of God. God's Word is our covenant explained. We need to get to know our covenant rights in God's Word.
If we will discern the LORD'S body the way we should, as total payment for sin, sickness and disease we can receive healing. Not discerning the LORD'S body is why many Christians are sickly and many have died before their time.
NOT FORGIVING OTHERS OR JUDGING OTHERS
Unforgiveness can hinder faith, and cause one not to receive their healing. Jesus said in Mark 11:26, "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." We must be like our Father in heaven, forgiving others as He forgave us.
Matthew records Jesus saying, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:14-15).
In Matthew 18:21-22 it says, "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
Passing judgement upon another can hinder faith and cause one not to receive their healing. Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-2, "Judge not, that ye be not judged. "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Judging others puts us under the law of Moses, whereby no man can be justified (Acts 13:38-39). James said "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" (James 4:11-12).
In John 5:22 Jesus said, "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son." In John 8:15, Jesus said, "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man." Jesus came "not to judge the world," as He said in John 3:17, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." Therefore, we also should not judge one another. But, rather, that we would judge ourselves that we be not judged with the world. In 1 Corinthians 11:31 it says, "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."
We must judge ourselves that we be not judged; but receive of God all that He has for His children, which includes healing for our physical bodies here on earth. Through much study of the Scriptures we will come to understanding that sickness and disease come as a result of a work of the devil. For, sickness and disease were taken to the cross with our sins. "By His stripes were are healed." Jesus, "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses" (Matt. 8:17). Jesus did not come to destroy the works of God, but He came to destroy the works of the devil. In 1 John 3:8 it says, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." Whatever Jesus came to destroy was a work of the devil, not something God did.
We must judge ourselves by the Word of God and then when we find sickness or disease coming upon our bodies we should follow the instructions in the Bible. James 5:14-15 says, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." Here sickness and sins are included in the same category. They are both works of the devil, and the prayer of the saints will cause God to remove both of them at the same time. The sick shall be saved (delivered), and their sins forgiven at the same time.
Both, sickness and sins were paid for by Jesus Christ when He was crucified on the cross of Calvary. He bore our sickness and He bore our sins on the Cross of Calvary.
What does this have to do with judging another? Only that we must see sickness and sins as a work of the devil, and then help the person through prayer to set them free. Do not condemn them because the devil was able to put sickness or disease upon them, or that they yielded to the temptation of the devil and were taken captive in sin.
Our only judgement of others should be based upon two things:
(1) Are they born again into the family of God? In 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 it says,
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
If they are in Christ they don't need our judgement, they need our help to set them free. They are a part of the same body of Christ that we are, therefore we need to administer grace to them, not condemnation.
(2) What can we do for our brothers or sisters to help them overcome the works of the devil in their lives? Galatians 6:1-2 says,
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Be a willing vessel for God to use, to restore anyone who is overtaken in a fault. Whatever the fault is, if it be sickness, disease, sin, or whatever. If they are in Christ, they need our help not our judgement.
The body and blood of Jesus Christ is shed for all who believe, not just a select few who want to set themselves up as being more spiritual or more highly than another.
HOW SATAN TRIES TO STOP HEALING
Satan works on our mind (2 Cor. 4:4). He puts thoughts in our mind to stop the power of God from working in our life. Satan tries to steal the Word of God from us. Jesus said in Mark 4:15-19
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Three things the devil uses to steal our healing:
(1) lack of knowledge of the Word of God
(2) persecution by others around us
(3) the cares of this world
A lack of knowledge of the truth of the Word of God is the main way the devil steals our healing. The Word of God must be settled in our heart, that healing was provided for us on Calvary. It is a part of the covenant we have with God, but without knowledge Satan will steal our healing. The truth is very clear in the Word of God concerning our healing from all and any type of sickness and disease. Knowledge of this fact settled in our heart will produce healing even when everyone around us tries to get us to accept sickness or disease.
Persecution by others simply means coming against the Word of God and trying to get us to accept mans reasoning. Persecution comes because of the Word of God. The devil will do all he can and use anyone he can to cause you to doubt the Word of God and not be healed from all sickness and disease.
Doctors and hospitals are good examples of people with good intentions, but lack of knowledge of the Word of God, which the devil can use to steal our healing. When a doctor brings up a bad report, that is, tries to convince you there is no other way than the way he knows you will find yourself persecuted by his words. Doctors will insist they know more than God; and try to get you to come against the Word of God.
If you are a child of God, set aside the cares of this world and receive your healing. Don't be a fool! Those of this world will go to a hospital and get away from the things of this world to receive their healing. You to should get away from the cares of this world and get into the Word of God to receive your healing. The cares of this world and those around you will stop you from receiving your healing.
If you are among the unfortunate who let the world talk you into a Television Set or a daily News Paper; you may be wise to get rid of them. If you need healing for your body you don't need to know what the world is doing. You don't need to see how the world is living or how the world does things. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
You need to know what God is saying through His Word. In 1 John 2:15 it says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." If you really desire healing for your body, learn to love the Father and His Word. Get the love of the Father in you, not the things of this world. Many will not believe that a Television Set or News Paper can prevent them from receiving healing. These are the same people who are sickly and can't understand why God does not heal them.
Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 15:17-20,
Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man.
Many people do not understand that what they meditate upon, the thoughts that go into their minds do change their heart. The end result is what comes out of our heart.
Television, radio, and news papers tend to try to get us to accept sickness and disease as normal, as a part of life which no one can deny. That is the way the world steals our faith for healing.
We are living in the world, therefore, we will hear many things contrary to the truth of the Word of God. Just hearing it occasionally will not defile our heart. But, continuously meditating upon that which is not truth according to the Word of God will change our heart to believe a lie.
God is not a man that He should lie. His Word is truth! Receive it as truth and be healed of all your sicknesses and diseases. In the name of Jesus Christ, "BE HEALED!"
FELLOWSHIP WITH UNBELIEVERS
Faith will manifest faster where there is no unbelief or doubt. The unbelief and doubt of others can cause you to loose your faith. So, get yourself aside from all unbelievers and increase your faith by reading over and over and over the Word of God in this book. Then RECEIVE YOUR HEALING BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH!
Get rid of unbelievers, those who cast doubt upon your healing. Just being in the presence of those who are in doubt can effect your healing. Take the example of Jesus. When He went into the house of Jairus' daughter; He sent out of the house all those who would not believe. He got rid of all the unbelievers first, then He spoke the Word of Faith.
Who is an unbeliever? An unbeliever is one who does not believe that God want's to heal you completely, NOW, by His love, grace, and mercy. If you have any of "Job's comforters" around you, get rid of them. You don't need comfort in sickness, You need healing for your body! Job's comforters were not looking for Job's healing. If there is anyone who is not looking for your complete healing of your body around you, get rid of them.
If the pastor of your church does not believe in complete healing for your body, you may need a new pastor, or a new church. If your pastor does not believe in total healing for your body by the LORD, through grace by faith, he is an unbeliever in that area of God's Word. An unbeliever is one who doesn't believe. Satan will use whosoever he can to prevent you from receiving your healing. Your pastor could be a full gospel, Spirit filled, Christian, yet still be an unbeliever when it comes to the LORD healing your body.
In 2 Corinthians 6:14 it says, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. . ." Then in verse seventeen it says, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord. . ." If those around you don't believe, they will hinder your receiving healing. Remember, when you desire healing for your body, you are coming against the work of devil. The devil is the god of this world; he controls the world by thoughts he puts in the minds of people. He will put thoughts in the minds of everyone, hoping they will receive them.
Just because someone is a pastor of a church that doesn't stop the devil from putting thoughts in his mind. The Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
Every child of God must bring their thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ. That includes the pastors of churches. That also includes you, if you want healing for your body. If those around you aren't willing to control their thoughts according to the Truth of the Word of God they will only make it more difficult for you to receive your healing. Separate yourself from them, have no fellowship with unbelievers. Find yourself someone who will believe the Truth of the Word of God. Separate yourself from those who do not believe and receive your healing by grace through faith.
Don't be a person of compassion for those who don't believe insomuch that they affect your healing. God loves the world, and those in the world; but unbelief is a work of the devil. God does not love the work of the devil. It is God who said, come out from among the unbelievers. Who will you obey, your friends or God? If you desire healing for your body, obey God.
God is a God of the NOW. God works in the NOW. God will heal you NOW, if you will obey His voice. If you have compassion for the unbeliever, first separate yourself from them and receive your healing. Then go to them HEALED, and minister to them the Truth of the Word of God. Then you will be helping them insomuch as they will believe because of your faith, which made you whole. Get healed first, then minister to those who are unbelievers.
If you were going to a doctor in the world and he didn't know what he was doing; you would get a different doctor fast. The same applies to spiritual advise. If they do not believe in your complete healing get rid of them and find someone who does believe. Jesus said in Mark 16:16-18, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall. . .they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
If they believe, they shall lay hands on the sick and the sick shall recover. Yet, unbelief can stop the flow of healing power. Remember, in Jesus' own country He could do no mighty works because of their unbelief. So you also must believe when hands are laid upon you. If the two of you believe it will be done unto you; you will recover.
Believing must be from the heart, not just the head. Believing and faith are not the same thing. Why would there be two different words in the Bible if they both meant the same thing? God put those two different words "Believe and Faith," in the Bible because there is a difference.
The best example of God is that God is not a respecter of persons. That means He treats all people alike no matter who they are. Yet, God is also a Father and He treats His children as they are. Babies get the milk of the Word, but those who are full grown eat the meat of the Word (Heb. 5:13-14). If you are a baby in the LORD God will heal you just by simple believing, accepting what God desires for you. If you are an older child in the LORD you will need faith to receive from God. Faith always comes from the heart, not the head. God has dealt to every born again child of God a measure of faith; (Rom. 12:3) you must use that faith to receive from God. For without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).
FAITH LIKE A MUSTARD SEED
Most of the Children of God miss their healing because they don't think they have faith. They are waiting for some great move of God, like a lightening bolt, an earthquake, a loud thunder, a voice from heaven. God is in those who are His own. He speaks with a "still small voice," or just an inward knowing.
In Luke 17:5-6 it says,
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
The Apostles of Jesus wanted more faith. But Jesus told them they only needed faith the size of a mustard seed. It is not how much faith you have, it is what you do with the faith God has dealt to you. Unto whom much is given, much shall be required (Luke 12:48). That's God's Word also. Faith must be exercised to be effective. Faith without action is dead. You can have faith, but if you don't use it, it will not produce any results in your life. You must act upon faith for it to work for you.
If faith as a grain of mustard seed can move a sycamine tree, how much faith will it take to be healed of any sickness or any disease? The same amount of faith as it takes to move a sycamine tree by the roots will also bring healing to your body. A child of God does not always need an increase of faith, they need to know how to use what they have.
Faith has substance and it has evidence (Heb. 11:1). But all the substance and evidence you need is a small indication from your inner being, a quickening of your spirit, an indication that God is doing His part. When you apply action to your faith you will receive whatsoever you desire.
Oh, so many of God's children do not receive their healing because they do not add action to their faith. Faith and the Word of God work together. Faith comes from hearing; that is, hearing the Word of God. Many times faith rises up in you when a thought comes to your mind from your spirit, "by His stripes I am healed." That's faith working in you, to perform that which God desires for you.
One time I was taking a cake out of the oven. The oven was 400 degrees, the cake pan was made of aluminum. My hand touched the cake pan and was burned. You could smell burnt flesh throughout the kitchen. As quickly as I got burned, the words came to my mind from my spirit, "Thank you Jesus, by Your stripes I am healed." I spoke the words out of my mouth and went about my business. I almost forgot that my hand got burned until about noon that day. I looked at my hand and there was no mark, no evidence of any sort that it ever was anything except whole.
Faith works, but you must act upon it when the Spirit of God quickens it to you. Faith can be so minuet that we miss it. If we would act upon it healing would come, sometimes instantly. Don't wait for earth shaking faith, act upon the still small voice, an indication from your inner being; a word from within you saying "I am healed." A Word from the LORD inside of you is more powerful than anything the devil can come against you with. The Word of the LORD is so powerful, it created the whole world (Heb. 11:3). That Word of the LORD inside of you can bring healing to your body.
God loves you. God wants to heal you. God will do His part if you do your part. God furnishes the grace (Eph. 2:8-9), the faith (Rom. 12:3, Heb. 12:2), you must apply the action. You must act upon your faith.
When faith arises, there is always peace, not confusion. God is not the author of confusion. Faith produces love, peace, joy, etc. within your spirit. Learn how to know the voice of the Spirit within you, that brings faith, from the Word of God. Like a tree, it starts from a seed. It starts with something very small and grows to a very large object. Start using your faith on small things and let it continue to take on greater challenges. Healing is just a little thing for God. Start with healing for your body, and then go on to bigger things.
Stay in the Word of God which brings faith. Then, when that still small voice rises up in you act upon it and receive your healing.
FAITH OR FOOLISHNESS
Just like anything else God has for His children, Satan has a counterfeit. God has faith for you, Satan has foolishness. Some will tell you, "do this or do that as an act of faith." Acting is not the true faith. We don't act to get faith, we act because we have faith. An actor is someone who plays the part of another. Don't try to play someone else's part, that's foolishness. Act on your faith, not on someone else's faith or their advise. Act upon the Word of God from within you.
Some will say, "so and so did this, or that, and he got healed." Well, you're not so and so. You don't know all the circumstance that so and so went through. You don't know all the details that led up to so and so's healing. Don't try to walk in someone else's shoes. God has given you His Word, you can get your healing from doing what God tells you to do in His Word, not by what someone else did. Don't follow what man does, follow the Word of God.
If a man tells you to do what seems right and peaceable in your spirit, and agrees with the Word of God, then do it. But, don't do it if you do not have peace in your spirit.
Many times I have had to tell other "well meaning" Christians, "I don't go by what so and so did, I go by the Word of God. I praise God that what so and so did worked in his life; but I am not so and so."
There are many good stories about how so and so received his healing. Some have said, so and so threw away his medicine and God healed him. That's great! Wonderful! But God maybe told him to throw away his medicine, you don't know. Throwing medicine away could be tempting God. Jesus said, "Thou shalt not tempt the LORD thy God" (Matt. 4:7). When someone tells you to throw away your medication, be sure you have peace in your spirit from God before you throw it away. It may be the devil tempting you to tempt God into healing you. Don't try to force God to do anything. God cannot be forced, God should not be tempted.
God loves you, He will heal you ACCORDING TO HIS WORD. Not according to someone else's advise that doesn't bring peace to your spirit. If you stay in the Word of God, and you get to know the voice of the Spirit of God within you; you will receive your healing.
Don't be a fool, just trust and obey God, and the still small voice within you.
TRADITIONS STOP HEALING
Many Christians do not receive their healing because of traditions, teachings by those who do not understand the Scriptures completely. Their understanding is darkened by the teachings of others who they follow in one form or another.
This was the case of the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus time on earth. In Matthew 15:1-9 and Mark 7:1-23, Jesus taught His disciples concerning the traditions of men that make the Word of God on none effect. Traditions can be the cause or reason many do not receive healing for their bodies.
It is sad to see Christians who are sickly, in pain, sorrow, and grief because of sickness, and when you say to them, something like this, "here is a Scripture that if you will believe it you will be healed!" Then they turn and say to you, "we don't believe that means what you say it means!" Oh how sad it is, for the very Word of God that could set them free, heal their bodies, and bring peace and joy to them, they don't believe! How can anyone receive from God, from His Word, if they don't believe?
Many times my heart was pierced through by the words of those who are called pastors, who say to me, "Merle, we don't believe that means what it says!" Inside, my heart is broken, If they would only believe! Then as I ask them the question, what do you believe this Scripture means? The answer is usually, because of some other verse or teaching, that particular Scripture cannot be true.
Brothers and sisters, every Word of God is true! Every Word of God means what it says! Jesus said to the Jews in John 10:35, when they were about to stone Him because He said He was the Son of God, "Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"
Brothers and sisters, Truth is truth. What the Scripture says is truth! Therefore, the Scripture cannot be broken. When men try to break the Scripture by saying it doesn't mean what it says they make the Word of God of none effect.
Healing by the Word of God will not be effective if people do not believe what it says. The Word of God cannot manifest in doubt and unbelief. We must believe to receive.
Sometimes we must get right down to the root of the cause of the unbelief before we can overcome doubt. That is, we must find out why it is that some do not believe before we can help them receive their healing.
There are some Scriptures that, in some Bibles say one thing, and in another Bible it says something else. This we understand, and this will always be as long as there are numerous Bibles of various translations accepted by Christians.
Christians are called "sheep" throughout the Bible. Sheep are vulnerable to many enemies that can and will destroy them. They are slow to learn and easily led away by others. They follow whosoever and whatsoever will lead them. They are not quick to respond to that which changes about them slowly.
Christians are like sheep, they slowly, a little here and a little there, accept teachings that do not agree with the basic teachings of the Bible. Once the basic teachings are changed, they are easily led astray.
We must be ever so mindful of the basic teachings, sometimes called doctrines of the Scriptures. These are very important to all who are of the household of God. Before we accept any one Scripture as being questionable, we must search the Scriptures to see why it says what it says. Never let one or two verses of Scripture change what the Bible teaches, especially when it concerns the basic doctrine or teachings of the Word of God.
Understand and hold fast to that which the Bible teaches from Genesis through Revelation. There is power in the Word of God beyond any power that man has ever known. But the power of the Word of God is only effective if we believe.
The apostle Paul mentioned some of the basic teachings or doctrines of the Bible in Hebrews 6:1-2. It says,
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
These are a few of the basic beliefs we must not let anyone change. The one of most importance when it comes to healing is "the doctrine of Christ." Is Christ who the Bible says He is. Is the Bible true concerning Christ?
If Christians do not accept the doctrine of Christ, they will be led into unbelief when it comes to healing for their bodies. If they do not know or understand the doctrine of Christ, the Word of God can become of non-effect in their lives.
In this book, it is not possible to bring forth all the truths concerning the doctrine of Christ; but it is important to those who desire healing for their bodies that they understand "Christ died for them, took upon Himself all their sickness and diseases, all their sins, and rose again from the dead, spotless, sinless, without any sickness or disease in His body." We must agree with the Word of God, in the many verses of Scriptures that agree with Isaiah 53:4-6,
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
This, brothers and sisters is the Scripture, and it cannot be broken! This Scripture means what it says and says what it means, Woe be to those who change it! The truth of this Scripture is spoken of and referred to many times throughout the Bible. The truth in this Scripture can and will bring healing to your body if you will believe "the doctrine of Christ!"
There are many Bible versions of this passage of Scripture. Even the King James Version is not as clear as it could be for us today. But the Holy Spirit will bare witness to all who will believe, no matter which version or translation we use.
The Young's Literal Translation in Isaiah 53:4-6 reads,
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains--he hath carried them, And we--we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. And he is pierced for our transgressions, Bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement of our peace is on him, And by his bruise there is healing to us. All of us like sheep have wandered, Each to his own way we have turned, And Jehovah hath caused to meet on him, The punishment of us all.
The Word of God is truth, the Scriptures cannot be broken! Believe the Word of God, not the teachings of men who do not believe. When we believe God's Word the power of God will come upon us, and we will be healed of all our sickness and all our diseases.
The believing must be in our heart, not just in our mind and in our mouth. Jesus said of the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 15:8, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."
It is easy to say, "I believe!" But it is another thing to get this believing down into our heart. Don't be discouraged if what you believe does not come to pass just because you know you believe. This is a misunderstanding among many Christians today. They believe, they know they believe, yet what they believe does not manifest, therefore some teach "it doesn't mean what it says!"
Oh how sad it is that Christians are led astray by those who do not understand the difference between believing in the mind and believing in the heart. Believing in the mind is an acceptance of fact as being fact. We do not deny the facts when we believe in the mind. Whereas believing in the heart is an "inward certainty," unquestionable truth which cannot be changed by circumstance.
We must first believe in our mind, then through a process of establishing that truth in our heart we come to the point where it is unquestionable because of an inward certainty. That inward certainty comes by a witness of the Spirit of God with the Word of God, establishing a truth which cannot be changed by circumstance.
The difference between believing in the mind and believing in the heart can be explained like this. When we believe in our mind we start the race, we begin at the starting point. When we believe in our heart we finish the race, we come to the end of the race, we receive the reward for running the race. There is a point between the beginning and the end of a race that nothing changes as far as receiving the prize. The race must be complete before we receive the prize. That is where faith must come into our lives.
Faith is the time between when we believe in our mind, the beginning of the race, and the time we believe in our heart, the end of the race. While we remain in faith, nothing in the natural, or circumstance changes, except we continue to run the race. At the end of the time, the end of our race, at the finish line, faith produces the change and we have what we believe. Remember, faith does not always manifest the end result the day we believe.
Don't let those who say the Word of God does not mean what it says rob you of what it says. The Word of God is true, the Scriptures cannot be broken.
Hebrews 10:35-38 says,
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Beware of those who do not believe in the doctrine of Christ, "as it is written!" Beware that they do not come up with some tradition that will make the Word of God of non-effect in your life. BELIEVE THE WORD, BELIEVE AND RECEIVE!
PRIDE PREVENTS HEALING
Pride is a destroyer of all that is good. Yet we must see in the Word what God says about pride. What does pride do, how does it effect man, and healing of the sick?
First let us see where pride originated from, or came into being. In Isaiah 14:12-15 it says,
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
In Ezekiel 28:14-15,17 it says,
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. . . Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
God has always been against pride and those who try to take His glory for themselves. God said in Isaiah 42:8, "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." God is love, full of grace and mercy, therefore God is deserving of all glory, praise, and honor. God must come first in our life, and in everything we do.
God is the creator, all others are the created, the moon, the stars, the earth, the angles, man, animals, all that live and all that exist. They all belong to God, the creator of all things. Therefore, "to God be the Glory!"
Pride is glory in oneself, self-glory, which God hates. Lucifer, the first to lift himself up in pride to receive attention and glory was cast out from the throne room of God down to the earth. Being a type of god, but not God; he tries to get man to live and operate in his likeness rather than the likeness and image of God.
All pride and self-attention is a work of Satan in the minds and hearts of people. Every work of Satan is evil, and contrary to the will and instructions of God. God's instructions are not to put man in bondage, but to free man from the bondage he is already in bondage through sin and death.
In the LORD'S instruction to the children of Israel, for their protection against the work of the devil the LORD said,
But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass (Lev. 26:14-19).
The LORD, because He loves man, and hates the works of the devil said, "I will break the pride of your power." Pride has power, power to control an individual and to try to control other individuals by it's demonstration of power to influence others. God is against this power of control, which is pride.
Pride does not give God the glory, but takes the glory for oneself. Many minds are not functioning according to the will of God,
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (Rom. 1:21,22,24,28).
God's own children, those who He loves so much that He gave His only begotten Son on the cross of Calvary for them, still at times, follow the devil in seeking glory, through pride and self-attention. Therefore, God has no choice but to give them over to a debased mind, a mind that is corrupt in it's thinking, it's thoughts are without understanding. They corrupt themselves, and receive for themselves an end which is not according to the will of God but according to the will of the devil.
Whenever a person tries to seek attention, draw attention to self, thinks themselves to be wise, Satan is at work in their minds. This pride must be put to death in man and all glory and attention be given to God, and our LORD Jesus Christ.
The LORD is the healer of our bodies, but the LORD cannot heal a body if the owner of the body will not come to Him for healing. Self-pride and submission to God are opposites. Submission to God is going to God. Self-pride is going away from God. We must submit ourselves unto God if we are to receive from God.
In James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." A person who likes attention, wants to be noticed, seeks to be served, is too proud to submit themselves to God, will not receive anything from God. Therefore, Satan has free course to put and keep sickness upon that individual.
One of the greatest evils spoken of in Genesis 3:6 and 1 John 2:16 is the pride of life. In 1 John 2:15-17 it explains to Christians the cause of destruction in mankind. It says,
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
A Christian cannot do the will of God the Father and love the world, or the things that are in the world at the same time. When Christians love the world or the things that are in the world the love of the Father is not in them. They are putting God in second, third, or fourth place in their lives.
God will not share His glory with any other than Jesus, who is the Son of God. Even the Holy Spirit will not receive the glory that belongs to the Father and the Son. And the Holy Spirit is God also, with the Father and the Son. God will not share His glory with another.
Satan is very tricky in his ways and attacks upon mankind. He uses people to obtain his desires, to carry out his motives. Some of the ways Satan imposes his motives upon individuals is "self-pity, self-attention (always speaking to draw attention, seeking things to talk about, weather, national affairs, other people, etc. just to get attention). When Satan attacks the physical body, he also implants into the minds of those afflicted, self-pity, wanting to be served, unwillingness to do things for themselves, etc. this is seeking attention. God does not honor attention seekers, self-pity, laziness. God honors His Word, which says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Prov. 3:5).
Your mind will always receive thoughts pertaining to yourself, which comes from pride. Proverbs 28:25 says, "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat."
Psalm 118:8 says, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Pride, causes one to put confidence in their ability to get others to serve them, yet it only stirs up strife. Strife began with pride, pride begets strife and every work of evil.
The pride of life is the opposite of denying oneself. In Mark 8:34 it says, "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." The first step to denying oneself is putting to death all pride. Pride is the beginning of ungodliness, the entrance of Satan into ones life. When all pride is destroyed, self-denial is coming to perfection, whereby we can then follow Jesus as His disciple. To be a disciple of Jesus we cannot follow our own self-interests, likenesses, desires, etc. but must deny self, and all things that draw attention to ourself.
Those who raise up Jesus will receive a just reward for a work well done. There are rewards for works done in the flesh, not only after this life on the last day; but also today, while you are still alive.
Did you know that healing is a reward for faithfulness and obedience? God said to the children of Israel, "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee" (Exodus 15:26). Therefore, healing is a reward for obedience. If you desire healing, obey God, and He will heal your body.
But pride is an enemy of God, and it will cause one to receive a reward from the devil, for the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Satan pays people for doing his will, walking in pride, self-exaltation, self-attention, self-pleasing etc. These are all works of the devil and he rewards those who do these things with the wages of death.
Seek not your reward from man, or the world, but seek first the reign of God in your life, and you shall be rewarded in this life as well as in the life to come. Healing is a reward for obedience. Sickness is a reward for disobedience. To whomsoever you become a servant, he shall become your master (Rom. 6:16).
Sickness shall reign through disobedience, but health shall reign through obedience.
Many Christian are not healed or do not receive healing because they are too proud to ask the LORD to heal them. They have put themselves on a pedestal, of self-worth, self-pride, self-exhortation, self this and self that. They become too proud to receive from God that which is already theirs through the blood and body of Jesus Christ shed for them. The LORD is the one who made the New Covenant with man, and especially with His own children. That covenant includes healing for our bodies. But pride will prevent us from receiving what is already ours through the blood of the everlasting covenant (Heb. 9:12, 13:20).
MURMURING AND COMPLAINING
The Scripture tells us that many times the children of Israel murmured against Moses and God in the wilderness. This murmuring and complaining grieved God; not because they murmured and complained as much as they themselves opened the door to the works of the devil.
Many have not seen this in the Scriptures, not looking at the cause of the condition but only at the responses of both the children of Israel and God. We need to see the Scriptures more clearly than those of the Old Testament. Being born of the Spirit (John 3:5), one spirit with the LORD (1 Cor. 6:17); we have access to spiritual wisdom (1 Cor. 2:10), whereby we can know what caused certain conditions in the Old Testament.
As in the case of Job, God did not put sickness upon Job (Job 1:12), Job placed himself in the hands of the devil (Job 42:3-6). So it is with most situations in the Old Testament, the people opened themselves up for destruction, sickness, disease, etc. by their unwillingness to come to God as children, weak, unable to do for themselves what God said He would do, if they would call upon Him.
When the children of Israel had no food they murmured and complained rather than praising the LORD for all He had already done in their deliverance from Egypt. When they did receive manna in the wilderness, some took more than they needed and it became unpleasant and unusable the next day. Wasting food is not of God.
When they had manna they murmured and complained they had no meat to eat, only manna. God then fed them with quail.
When they had no water they murmured and complained and God gave them water to drink. Yet in all of this they were never satisfied with what God had given them. They were never thankful for what they had. They did not praise God for His supply, but complained for their lack.
Their murmuring and complaining is what brought about their discomfort, God brought the blessings following the cursings. Sickness and disease is not a blessing it is a curse which comes because of a lack of knowledge or action upon the Word of God. Praise God, and He will supply all our needs. Curse God and the devil will take advantage of our ignorance in cursing the source of all our good.
The children Israel in Numbers 21:5, spoke against God and Moses because of a lack of water. This brought fiery serpents among them which bit them. The bites of the serpents caused death.
Yet, if they looked upon the serpent that Moses put upon a pole they lived. The thing we need to see is that if they had not spoken against God and Moses there would not have been any fiery serpents among them. The serpents was not the cause of the death, it was the speaking against God and Moses.
So it is today, many people are sickly, and with disease; not because of the sickness or disease, but because of their speaking against God or those over them. They are not satisfied with what they have. They will not glorify God in the little things; in all He has supplied. They speak against God and the one's God uses to supply their needs.
This opens the door for the devil to come in with sickness and disease. To overcome the sickness and disease one must overcome the speaking against God and those over them who supply their needs.
Learn to praise God and be thankful for what we have and God will increase our supply according to His mighty power. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7); one who cheerfully gives praise to Him even in the midst of tribulations (Acts 16:25).
As Christians, we need a better understanding of God. Who He is. And our covenant with Him as almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth; the LORD of lords and the King of kings. Our covenant in brief is this; He shall supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19) as we look to Him in what we do with what we already have. The little we have, if used according to His instructions will bring much in return if we honor Him for who He is.
In our covenant, it is summed up this way: God, the greater of the two has committed Himself to supply us, the lesser of the two, according to His greater ability.
His power is available to us, if we need it. His ability is available to us if we need it. His supply is our supply if we need it. Our need is His need if we present it to Him in praise and worshiping Him.
In turn, our supply is His, if He needs it. Our strengths are His, if He needs them. Our praises are His, if He needs them. All we have is His, if He needs it.
When we learn to give to God whatsoever we have, if He needs it, God will in turn give to us all He has, if we need it. That is covenant relationship. And this covenant is sealed with the blood of Jesus, an everlasting covenant sealed with an everlasting blood.
We need to understand, Who is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17). All our tribulations and trials come from the devil. Our future is controlled by what we speak (James 3:1-13), therefore we must control our speaking, especially no murmuring or complaining.
When we find fault in ourselves, if we will repent, change our ways, God will gladly, and willingly come to heal our bodies and turn our captivity into prosperity and health (Job 42:10).
Have your ever noticed the one who is the source of all good is the one who gets blamed for all the bad. Did you know, that this is a work of the devil in the minds of people. God is good and He gets blamed for all the bad. The devil is bad and he gets the credit for what little good there is in anything. When people blame God they give credit to the devil. Don't blame God, He is the One who can help you, if you will listen to His instructions.
CONTROLLING THOUGHTS
In 2 Corinthians 4:4 it says, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Whose mind's have been blinded, who does this include?
Let us not assume we know without first checking the Scriptures. First let us find out what the word "minds" means. We think we know, but until we have checked it in the Scriptures we cannot be sure we are correct in what we know.
The word "minds" is translated from the Greek word "noema." This Greek word is used only six times in the New Testament. It is used in 2 Corinthians 2:11, translated "devices." It is used in 2 Corinthians 3:14, translated "minds." It is used in 2 Corinthians 4:4, translated "minds." It is used in 2 Corinthians 10:5, translated "thought." It is used in 2 Corinthians 11:3, translated "minds." It is used in Philippians 4:7, translated "minds."
A total of four times it is translated "minds," once "devices," and once "thoughts." Yet, we know that the word mind, pertaining to our natural ability to think and know natural things is used many times in the New Testament. In Mark 12:30, Jesus said, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." This word "mind" is translated from the Greek word "dianoia." This Greek word is used thirteen times in the New Testament. Sometimes translated "mind, minds, understanding, and imagination." The word mind is also translated from the Greek word "sophroneo." This word is translated "mind," in Luke 8:35, where it says, "Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid."
Then also the word mind is translated from the Greek word "prothumia," such as in Acts 17:11, where it says, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
Then the word mind is also translated from the Greek word "nous," such as in Romans 1:28, which says, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." The same Greek word is used in Romans 7:23, which says, "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."
Then the word mind is also translated from the Greek word "phronema," such as in Romans 12:16, where it says, "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."
We could go on finding the different Greek words from which they have translated to the English word "mind, or minds."
The purpose for this checking the meaning of the word "mind," in 2 Corinthians 4:4, is to see clearly that it does not necessarily mean the mind, "that which we use to think with," but rather it has a slightly different meaning. Once we see what that word means according to the way the Holy Spirit used it in the Scriptures we can better understand what the Scripture is telling us.
We need to take the context of each time the Greek word "noema" is used. In 2 Corinthians 2:7-11 it says,
So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices (noema).
The context of this use of the Greek word "noema," is forgiveness or unforgiveness. This is an operation in the minds of people, but does not mean the person's whole mind is a device of Satan. When a Christian does not forgive another for anything, it is a device of Satan in operation.
In 2 Corinthians 3:12-16, it says,
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds (noema) were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
The context of these verses are speaking of a vail, that the children of Israel could not see plainly through. The vail is there because they have not turned to Christ, believing the Gospel.
The context of 2 Corinthians 4:1-5 says,
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds (noema) of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
This context is talking about those who do not preach the same gospel as Paul preached, that is, "Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."
Then the context of 2 Corinthians 5:3-6 says,
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought (noema) to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
The context of these verses is the war that we fight in the spirit realm. It is fought in our thoughts (noema). "Christians" must bring their thoughts into the obedience of Christ, or be defeated in the battle in their mind.
The context of 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 says,
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds (noema) should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
The context of these verses is "another gospel," such as that which beguiled or deceived Eve. The subject here is the simplicity of the gospel of Christ, and the subtilty of the devil in the minds of Christians.
The context of Philippians 4:5-8 says,
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds (noema) through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The context here pertains to what things we think on, to keep our mind clear, to stand fast in the LORD.
In all these verses where the Greek word "noema" is used it indicates that 2 Corinthians 4:4 is talking about born again Christians, whose thoughts have been led astray by someone preaching another gospel, not the true gospel of Christ. In Romans 1:16 it says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (Rom. 1:16). The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. The gospel of Christ is for those who are already saved, or born again, as well as for those who are not in the body of Christ.
Some will ask, what about 2 Corinthians 4:3, where it says "those who are lost?" Unfortunately, the word lost does not only apply to those who are not born again. There are many Christians who are lost, that is, they don't know the truth concerning the gospel of Christ. They are walking in the dark on this subject, led astray in their minds from the truth concerning the gospel of Christ.
The word lost used in 2 Corinthians 4:3 is the same word used by Jesus in Luke 15:32. The father of the prodigal son said, "It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." The same Greek word "lost" used here pertains to a son of this father. The father never said his son was not his son. But he did say, he was dead, and now is alive again, he was lost and is found. What was the problem with the prodigal son that the father said he was lost? He left is fathers care and went off into a far country. He was on his own, so to speak, where the father had no control over what he said or did.
Born again Christians can get themselves in that same position by following religious teachings. Teachings of self-righteous works after the works of the law of Moses. The subject of 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 is still the same subject of 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, where the same Greek word "noema" is translated "minds" in verse fourteen. The minds of the Jews was blinded in the reading of the books of Moses. They still tried to obtain righteousness by their works.
Therefore, the minds of many Christians are blinded by the god of this world, "...lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor. 4:4).
What is the gospel of Christ that they are blinded from? The word "Christ" means "the anointed one, or anointed ones." What kind of anointing are we speaking of? The same anointing that Jesus was anointed with "the Holy Spirit" (Acts 10:38). Those whose minds are blinded will not receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Religious teachings have convinced them that the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is not for today. Therefore, they do not have the power of God (Acts 1:8), to be a witness of Jesus.
They are born again, yet have no power over the devil. He has control in their minds, keeping them from the glorious gospel of Christ, the anointing which can set them free.
Those who rely on their natural minds can be deceived; whereas those who operate with the anointing, building up their most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20) are not as likely to be deceived. For the anointing gives us the ability to pray in the spirit, whereas our understanding is unfruitful (1 Cor. 14:14), yet this praying is according to the perfect will of God (Rom. 8:26-27).
Yet, most important of all about 2 Corinthians 4:4, is that it does pertain to born again Christians, not just those who are not born again. For the context of all the Scriptures using this same Greek word (noema), is for the born again Christian to understand his "warfare in the realm of the spirit" (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
When Christians are having difficulty in believing the gospel, believing in laying on of hands for healing for their bodies, or any other doctrine of Christ (Heb. 6:2), their problem is in the realm of spiritual warfare in their minds, their thoughts.
These thoughts come from demonic spirits, they are not our thoughts. They are lying spirits (1 Kings 22:20) that put thoughts in the minds of Christians. We must bring these thoughts into the obedience of Christ.
Now, understanding that the word "minds" in 2 Cor. 3:14, 4:4, 11:3, Phil. 4:7, and the word "devices" in 2 Cor. 2:11, and "thoughts" in 2 Cor. 10:5 are all the some Greek word; let us go on to understand what we are to do concerning these thoughts.
We know these Scriptures pertain to born again Christians, but now we must determine what we should do about these thoughts. The best advise is given in 2 Corinthians 10:5, where it says, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
This verse starts off by saying "Casting down imaginations..." Right here we must be careful how we read this. It would be well to understand the meaning of the word "imaginations."
The word "imaginations" is translated from the Greek word "logismos." The definition of this Greek word is "reasoning: such as is hostile to the Christian faith."
This Greek word is only used twice in the New Testament. The other place it is used is in Romans 2:15, which says, "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts (logismos) the mean while accusing or else excusing one another." In this verse it is translated "thoughts." Even in this verse the context itself reveals what kind of thoughts it is speaking of. Thoughts of "accusing or else excusing one another."
When we consider the meaning of the word "imaginations," we find it does not mean ALL imaginations. It only pertains to those "imaginations, reasonings, or thoughts" that accuse or excuse one another contrary to walking by faith. Actually, we would better understand 2 Corinthians 10:5 if we used the word "reasonings" in place of the word "imaginations."
It is important that we do not cast down all "imaginations," especially those imaginations that will help us to be led by the Spirit. For the word imaginations itself comes from the word "image, or imagine." The word "imagine" means "to make a mental image of; form an idea or notion; conceive in the mind; create by the imagination."
The reason this is so important to HEALING, is that God works in our minds by images, or pictures. When we think of something, we see what we are thinking of in the form of pictures. If we think of a house, we from an image of a house in our mind. If we think of a woman, we form an image of a woman in our mind. If we think of a man, we form an image of a man in our mind. If we think of Jesus, we from an image of Jesus in our mind.
The importance of this is, if we think of healing we form an image of health, or being healed in our mind. Therefore, if we keep thinking or forming images in our mind of sickness or disease, we will not receive healing. We will receive that which we have formed an image of in our mind.
The Word of God tells us to think on things that are "true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, etc." (Phil. 4:8). The truth is, "Jesus bore our sickness and disease in His own body on the cross of Calvary, so we could be free of all sickness and disease." That being true, we ought to think about health, not sickness or disease.
Now if we reconsider the context of 2 Corinthians 10:5, we will not cast down all imaginations, but only those what are not of a good report, those that do not agree with the Word of God concerning what God says about healing and health.
It would be well for Christians in reading 2 Corinthians 10:5 to use the word "reasonings," in place of the word "imaginations." Reasoning with the Word of God will almost always take us away from the truth, rather than bring us to the truth. For reasoning is a weapon of the devil, a device he uses to get us to cast down images of those things that be not, as though they were. God does the opposite of reasoning. God, "...calls (speaks) those things that be not, as though they were" (Rom. 4:17). If we are to walk with God, and be like God, we also must learn to "first imagine in our minds those things that be not as though they were," then "speak those things that be not, as though they were."
If there is evidence of sickness in our bodies, first imagine being in health, then speak the Word of God, which tells us, "...by His strips I am healed...He bore my sickness and disease in His body" (1 Peter 2:24, Matt. 8:17). Therefore, I am healed!
Imagine in your mind "health," speak the Word of God concerning health, and you shall have that which you say.
If your condition does not improve; if the symptoms do not leave; continue with the rest of verse 5, of 2 Corinthians 10:5. Cast down "every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
This means, after you have done all things pertaining to godliness, such as, "repented of all unforgiveness, all judgement, all accusations, all speaking against other persons, all other things which are not pleasing to God," then reject all thoughts that do not agree with healing of your body.
Caution: Don't be foolish and try to force God to heal your body when you are walking in unforgiveness, and making accusations against others; you cannot serve God and the devil at the same time. If you love God, forgive others and He will forgive you, if you do not forgive, don't expect God to heal your body!
Satan will test and try your faith. After you have passed the test, and his trying of your faith will not succeed, the manifestation will come. Satan will leave, taking his sickness and disease along when "he flees in terror" (James 4:7). Satan cannot stand being around people of faith; those who believe the Word of God over the circumstance.
NOT ASKING GOD TO HEAL
There were two kings over Judah, who had similar conditions concerning sickness and disease. King Asa and King Hezekiah.
King Asa was the third king over Judah following King Solomon. There was Rehoboam, Abijam (sometimes spelled Abijah, or Abia) then King Asa, the son of Abijam. In 1 Kings 15:7 it tells us that there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam (king of Israel).
When King Asa, the son of King Abijam, begin to reign in Judah it tells us, "And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father" (1 Kings 15:10-11). Then in 1 Kings 15:14 it says, "But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days."
In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of King Asa, there was a war between King Baasha of Israel and King Asa of Judah. Asa, made a league with King Benhadad of Syria, and the two came against Israel and defeated king Baasha of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 16:7-8 it tells us,
And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
In 2 Chronicles 16:12-13 it tells us, "And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign."
Now let us look at King Hezekiah of Judah. It tells us in 2 Kings 18:1-3, "Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did."
Fourteen years after Hezekiah became king it tells us in 2 Kings 20:1-6,
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
The LORD healed King Hezekiah, because He cried unto the LORD and asked to be healed. The LORD gave King Hezekiah fifteen more years to live. But, King Asa never asked the LORD to heal him. If He would have asked the LORD would have healed him as well.
Way too often, God's children are not healed, only because they did not turn to the LORD and ask to be healed. They become sick, or diseased and turn to the doctors as King Asa did. When the doctors can do no more for them they die, never asking the LORD to heal them.
God's Children need to get to know their covenant rights, which includes healing. They need to get to know God as their Father, not just as God. A loving father would not want any of his children sickly or diseased if he could do anything about. So it is with God as our Father, God does not want His children sickly or diseased. That is why healing is on the Cross of Calvary right along with sin. God doesn't want either one among His children.
God will forgive His children of all sins (except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit); and God will heal His children of all sickness and disease. God has already provided for healing on the Cross of Calvary; therefore, with many it is just a matter of turning to God as King Hezekiah did, and ask to be healed.
God will heal all who come to Him with a pure heart, confessing and repenting from all sins, and asking to be healed. Jesus said, "Ask and you shall receive!"
PART V
IMPORTANT FACTS
HOW TO KEEP YOUR HEALING
Healing is a part of Salvation. Jesus said in Matthew 18:11 "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." Man was created perfect in the day that he was created (Gen. 1:31). Sickness and disease came because of a work of the devil in the garden of Eden when Adam sinned and came short of the glory of God. The LORD said to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15). In 1 John 3:8 it says, ". . .For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
In Exodus 23:25, the LORD said through Moses, "And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." In Exodus 15:26, the LORD said, ". . .If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put (permit) none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee."
Today we live under a better covenant than the law of Moses. Today we have the blood of the Lamb shed for our sins. The body of the Lamb given for the healing of our bodies (He bore our sickness and by His stripes we are healed). We can put away sickness and disease and keep our healing by following the same procedure as we do for sins in 1 John 1:7-10. It says,
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
To receive and maintain our healing we can use the same procedure, "Walk in the light, and have fellowship with the Father and the Son." Through fellowship with the Father and the Son He will not permit sickness or disease to dwell in our bodies. Through fellowship with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit will help and guide us to maintain our health.
We can receive healing the same way we receive forgiveness of sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Through fellowship with the Father and the Son, if we use the name of Jesus (as the Holy Spirit helps us and guides us), we will be cleansed from all sickness and disease. It is through fellowship with the Father and the Son that the Holy Spirit helps and guides us in everything.
Walk in the light of the Word of God. Knowing we are not of this world, but in the world to do the will of God, "just as Jesus was in the world to do the will of the Father" (John 17:18). His Word will not permit sickness or disease in our bodies.
The name of Jesus was given to all who believe to "cast out devils and heal the sick" (Mark 16:16-17). By the help of the Holy Spirit we can maintain our healing by using the name of Jesus.
The word Christ, "means the anointed one." We are "the body of Christ" here on earth. We are anointed with the Holy Spirit and power to cast out devils and heal the sick (this includes sickness or disease in our own bodies as well).
By walking in the light of the Word of God, we have fellowship with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Guide, Comforter and Teacher. He will guide us into all truth and the Truth will set us free of all sickness and disease.
Study the Epistles of John over and over, that we walk in the light of the Word, and have fellowship with the Father and the Son. Our walk in the light will not permit sickness and disease to dwell in our bodies.
Continue in the TRUTH of the Word of God, until faith arises in your heart. Then rise and be healed in the Name of Jesus! Don't give in, and don't give up.
WHY GOD HEALS NON-CHRISTIANS?
Have you ever questioned why some people get healed when they are not Christians. They don't go to Church. They don't read their Bibles. They don't pray daily. There is no evidence that they have made Jesus Christ their LORD, yet God heals them. Why?
The Scripture says in Romans 5:12-14,
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
What some have failed to see is that "sin is not imputed when there is no law." Sin can be a hinderance to healing. Unconfessed and unrepentant sins can hinder healing for Christians. For the Jews, the Law of Moses is no longer in effect. Jesus fulfilled that law for the Jews. The Christians were never under that law. Yet, the Christians do have a law. The law for the Christians is put in their minds and written in their hearts by God. In Hebrews 8:10 it says, "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people."
When a Christian sins they know it. They know they sinned in their mind and in their heart. For they have a law inside which convicts them when they sin.
Romans 5:14 tells us that death reigned from Adam to Moses. Through Adam, death entered the human race (Rom. 5:12). In 1 Corinthians 15:22 it says, "For as in Adam all die . . ." This tells that even after Moses, death still continued to reign in human beings.
Through Christ Jesus we have power over sickness and disease, which produces death to our physical bodies, until the time we leave earth for heaven. Death came by sin (Rom. 5:12), the power of death is in the control of the devil. Hebrews 2:14 tells us, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Therefore, death is an enemy of God and His children. In 1 Corinthians 15:26 it says, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." Death is an enemy of the children of God.
From the foundation of the world God has made provision for man to inherit eternal life and live forever. For those who live after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we must receive eternal life before our physical bodies die, (although this can happen at the point of death). Caution; don't plan on it for your life, but receive your eternal life NOW, while God is offering it to you!
With eternal life, all who are in Christ shall live and not die "the second death," "which is eternal damnation in the lake of fire." Revelation 20:6 says, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." While Revelation 20:12-15 says,
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
For, in Adam, all die the first death, even so "all who are in Christ shall be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22). The second death shall have no power over those in Christ. For when Christ first died and was raised from the dead, we, who are in Christ also partook of that same resurrection. Christ, being the first-fruits, and we who are in Christ also following; the second death shall have no power over us, "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57).
Therefore, death being an enemy of God; if any should die without Christ, they will have no power over the second death and shall be cast into the lake of fire for ever and ever (Rev. 20:15).
Sin is in the world and all have sinned, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:10,23). It is through sin, sickness, and disease that Satan tries to bring death upon all who are alive in the flesh. But thanks be to God and our LORD Jesus Christ, who took our sins upon Himself and bore our sickness in His body, "by who's stripes we are healed."
In Exodus 15:26, it says, ". . . I am the LORD that healeth thee." All throughout the Scriptures we see it is God, through the LORD that heals all sickness and all diseases. This is, that those who are in Christ today, may know the love of God and the power of God to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
God heals many who are not Christians, that His grace, love, and power may be known unto salvation.
When non-Christians are healed, God is making Himself and His power known to draw them to Christ. Unless they repent, and believe the gospel they shall be lost. "It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance." The goodness of the LORD, healing those who are not Christians brings them to Christ, that they might have eternal life.
Therefore, God heals many who are not Christians to draw then to Jesus Christ, to receive Him and enter into eternal life. If they do not receive Jesus as their personal LORD, and Savior, they shall be lost forever. It is not the will of God that any should be lost, but that all should come to the knowledge of Christ and be saved (1 Tim. 2:4).
Sin is breaking the law, but where there is no law, sin is not imputed (Rom. 5:13). Where sin is not imputed the power of God can heal the sick, and even raise the dead. For the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8).
What about Christians? Where there is a law, "written in their hearts, and minds" (Heb. 8:10, 10:16). How do they receive healing?
Christians must overcome sickness, disease, and all the works of the devil ". . . by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. . ." (Rev. 12:11). Not by our righteousness, but by His righteousness. By that which Jesus Christ has done for us through His suffering and death.
On the cross of Calvary, Jesus bore our sickness, and took our diseases upon Himself that we might live in health and reign with Him forever and ever. Therefore, "faith," is very important for those in Christ. So important that the Scripture says, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Heb. 10:38). The just are those in Christ, therefore we must live by faith. God has given us the victory in Christ Jesus. By faith we can overcome.
In Christ Jesus, we have been given power over the devil and all his works (Luke 10:19). In Christ Jesus we have been given the use of His name to overcome all the works of the devil (Mark 16:17-18).
God's desire for His children to be healed and live in health is so great that He has given many ways to receive healing. James 5:14-15 says,
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Sickness and sins are both destroyed by the prayer of faith. Yet, for the prayer of faith to work, both the person being prayed for, and those doing the praying must have faith. The sick person must not be in unbelief (Mark 6:5-6).
God's desire is for Christians to walk in health, and He even heals some who are not Christians. Yet Christians must understand death continued to reign from Adam to Moses. Then the law came, and death continued to reign under the law. Death still continues to reign where there is no law. For Christians, there is a law written in their hearts. Jesus overcame the second death for all in Christ. But the first death still remains for all mankind, unless Jesus should return and catch us away while we are still alive in the flesh (1 Cor. 15:52, 1 Thes. 4:17).
But what about sin? Sin also reigned from Adam to Moses. But there was no law until Moses, therefore sin was not imputed. From Moses to Jesus' death and resurrection there was a law for the children of Israel. But there was no law for the Gentiles. Therefore, sin was not imputed where there was no law.
Today, those who are not in Christ are living in sin, and death still reigns in their bodies. Yet, God is not imputing their sin upon them for they have no law. This is also spoken of in 2 Corinthians 5:19, where it says, "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." Until a person is born again, God is not imputing their trespasses unto them. They are not under the same law as Christians, until they become Christians through the new birth.
Where sin is not imputed, God can, and will heal their physical bodies to show Himself as God Almighty, the God of all creation. Through this manifestation of healing in the bodies of those who are not children of God, He draws them to Himself and to Jesus Christ, that they might receive Jesus as their LORD and enter into the kingdom of God.
Healing was on the Cross of Calvary for the whole world, not just for Christians. Therefore, they whole world can receive healing for their bodies by the stripes Jesus bore for them. The whole world includes those who are not born again into the family of God. Therefore, those who are not born again can receive healing from God. Yet, they are not born again through the manifestation of healing for their bodies. They still must receive Jesus Christ into their life to become born again.
In many countries where the gospel has not been proclaimed, God heals many who are not Christians at the time they are healed. God does this because sin is not imputed where there is no law. Many are turned from serving the devil to becoming children of God because of the manifestation of healing before they were born again.
The same thing happens in places where Christians go to worship. Not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. At times, some who are in church, and not yet born again do receive healing for their bodies. This is a sign to the Gentiles, a drawing of God to Himself, those who are heirs of salvation. Those who hopefully will become Christians. Jesus said to those who did not believe on Him, "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake" (John 14:11).
TITHING, AN ANSWER TO HEALTH & PROSPERITY
In Malachi 3:10 it says, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
If Christians only knew what God is speaking of here in Malachi, they could turn every work of evil around for their good. The devil could have no control in their lives if they only knew and understood what the Spirit of God is saying to the church in this Scripture. Therefore, let us see the tremendous truth that is brought forth in this Scripture.
The tithe is one-tenth of the firstfruits of all our increase (or income). The first time a tithe is mentioned in the Bible is when Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, king of Salem, after the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him. These were the kings that took Lot, Abram's nephew, and his family captive with those of Sodom and Gomorrah and all the spoils of these cities. It was after Abraham returned with Lot, his family, and all the captives and spoils of the cities that Melchizedek came to Abraham. This "Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. . . And Abraham gave him tithes of all. . ." (Gen. 14:18,20).
For Christians today, this should be very important, for it tells us in Hebrews 7:1-4,
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
As Christians we should know how great this man Melchizedek was. For the Scripture speaks to us about Jesus Christ, our High Priest, in Hebrews 5:6,10,
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. . . .
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Then in Hebrews 6:20 it says, "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
There is shown here in Abraham and Melchisedec, a type and shadow for us today. Today, by faith, like that of Abraham and the ministry of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, we enter into a covenant with God. A covenant that cannot be broken, for the Scriptures cannot be broken. A covenant whereby, if we are faithful and obedient to God in His plan of redemption, He will be faithful to us. Whereby "all things work together for our good, to the good of them which love God" (Rom. 8:29).
We cannot rightfully speak of tithes, without the knowledge of God's purpose for tithing. Therefore, let us see what God said in Deuteronomy 8:18. It says, "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."
The purpose of tithing is so that God can bless us, "so through blessing us He can establish His covenant," which He sware to us many years ago through the Scriptures.
We have a New Covenant, the New Testament, sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ. In this covenant, God has made many promises to those who will obey Him. Such as, a new heart and a new spirit within us, (a new creature in Christ Jesus), a heavenly home, the ability to walk and talk with Him in the spirit, the Holy Spirit as our helper, guide, comforter, and teacher, healing for our bodies, forgiveness of sins, power over the devil, etc.
Yet, there is a part of this covenant that is our responsibility; that is, we must preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).
This tells us that we, being children of God through faith, "the seed of Abraham by faith in Christ Jesus," should find that the tithe is one of our greatest benefit's. For it tells us in Galatians 3:16,26,29,
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. . . .
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. . . .
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Through Abraham, by faith we are the children of God in Christ Jesus, Who is after the order of Melchisedec. Jesus is our "High Priest;" as well as our LORD and Savior from all sin, sickness, and disease.
Therefore tithing, which started with Abraham and Melchizedek, continues to be the means by which the blessing of Abraham comes upon the Children of God. Let us see this type and shadow in the Old Testament, of things for us today in the New Testament.
In Leviticus 27:30 it says, "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD." The tithe belongs to the LORD. Yet, the LORD gave us commandment as to what the tithe should be used for.
Now the LORD commanded that the tribe of Levi would not receive any land in the division of the inheritance of land promised to the children of Israel in Abraham and Jacob (Gen. 15:18-21, 35:6,9-12). In these chapters and verses you will find that God first promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and His seed. Then to Isaac, then again to Jacob which is called Israel. This land was then divided among the tribes of Israel after Moses died and Joshua led the Children into the promised land. But God had instructed Moses that the land should be divided into twelve parts, one part to each tribe; (except that the two sons of Joseph would each receive one part), "the tribe of Levi would not receive any inheritance of land." For the tribe of Levi was appointed to the ministry, as the LORD directed them. You will find reference to this throughout the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
In Numbers 3:6-9 it tells us,
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.
The Levities were to minister unto Aaron, the High Priest, (a type of the Holy Spirit), the helper sent with Moses to deliver the children of Israel out of bondage from Egypt, (a type of demonic oppression). The Levities were called of God to minister, first to Aaron (a type of the Holy Spirit) and to Moses (a type of the our LORD Jesus Christ), then to the congregation in and outside of the tabernacle. They had no inheritance of land; therefore, the tithes were used to provide for the living of the Levites and there families.
After the forty-years in the wilderness, the Levities were given homes in the cities of each of the tribes. They lived in their homes and ministered in the places of worship to the sons of Aaron and to the congregation.
The Levities of the Old Testament are a type and shadow of those called today into the ministry, (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and others called to full time ministry work).
The tithes are to be used for these people called into the ministry, for their living. The offerings were for all the necessary things pertaining to the work of the ministry, including the buildings necessary to preform the work of the ministry.
The main reason the Levities were not given any possession of land was so "they would not have to labor with their hands to provide for their own living and those of their household." God provided for their living "by the tithes they received from the other tribes of Israel."
God ordained it this way, specifically that the Levities could give of their time "totally and completely," first to minister to Aaron and his sons (a type of the Holy Spirit), and to Moses (a type of the LORD); then to the congregation (a type of the children of God). Their whole lifetime was to be spent in ministry work, first to God, then to the people.
This is a type and shadow of things for us in the New Covenant (New Testament). Those called to the ministry are to first minister to God, the LORD, then to the people, the children of God. Our ministry to the LORD, must be through and by the help of the Holy Spirit. Remember Zechariah 4:6, ". . . Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD . . ." All things must be done by and through the Holy Spirit.
If the born again Christians could only know and understand the tithe, why it is so important, they would also see, and know the blessing promised to them for bringing the tithe into the storehouse (Mal. 3:10).
Now seeing the purpose of the tithe, let us see how it works and what a blessing it is when it is used as God had ordained it to be used.
Malachi 3:10 starts off saying, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house. . ." What is this "meat" that God is speaking of? It has a two-fold meaning. First it is that physical meat which is necessary to supply all the needs of those called by God into the ministry. Secondly, it is the spiritual meat of the Word of God, the strong meat that brings the manifestation of God's Word into being "by the Holy Spirit."
The LORD wants the Holy Spirit to manifest in the congregation in all the gifts of the Spirit when they are needed. The Holy Spirit will not manifest where He is not welcome. What makes Him welcome? The praise and worship, the work of the ministry by, first, those called to the ministry, then by those who come to be ministered to.
Let us see the tithe more clearly. If the tithe of ten families making an average living was brought into the local Church, that would provide an average living expense for the one family called of God to minister as a Pastor to that congregation. One tenth of what each family earned would be their tithe, nine-tenths would provide for their living.
The pastor would receive the tithe, one tenth would provide for his tithe, and nine-tenths for his families living. As the congregation increases the remaining families tithes would provide for other called ministers and their families. One pastor is not fully capable of caring for large congregations. The qualifications of a pastor is made very clear in the Scriptures. Every pastor should know every sheep in his fold. Not only know them by name, but know everything that they have need of. If it be sickness or disease, the pastor should minister to them by the power of the Holy Spirit and they should be healed. The pastor must be "a good shepherd" who will lay his life down for the sheep. If there is any need within his care, he must be able to take that need before the LORD on their behalf and get the need taken of. No member of the congregation should have to suffer for lack, sickness, disease, etc. All their needs should be met, not by man's power or might, but by the Holy Spirit working through the pastor. Therefore, larger churches need more pastors, to minister to the needs of the congregation. The LORD used the whole tribe of Levi, not just a few select persons. The whole tribe of Levi lived off the tithes of the other tribes.
The offerings, which were not a part of the tithes were for other necessities, the building, the equipment, the other outreach ministries, and others who are needed to carry out the work of the ministry. The larger the congregation the more work that can be accomplished for the LORD in all areas of ministry.
But it all begins with the person called of God as the shepherd, or pastor. His responsibilities must be first, to minister to the LORD, second, to minster to the congregation.
This is very important, that the person called of God first spend their time in prayer and in the Word. They must minister unto the LORD, by and through the Holy Spirit in prayer and study. Only after they have spent time in prayer and ministering to the LORD will they be equip to minister to the congregation.
If they neglect their time with the Holy Spirit and the LORD in private the LORD will not be able to use them before the congregation. They must become the vessel that the LORD can use to minister to the congregation. No where was the tithe every meant for greedy pastors, who believe they have the right to live higher than those of their congregation. These are called "hirelings," by the LORD in John 10:12,13). A hireling is like a goat, the goats were used by the owners of the flocks of sheep, but the goats were in the end cast out and the sheep were accepted in the end (Matt. 25:31-46).
Let us see this a little closer. As a person called of God spends time in prayer privately (in their prayer closet), the Holy Spirit will minister to them. He will fill them with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. He will prepare them for service unto the people.
The work of the Holy Spirit is tremendous, and has many aspects. The Holy Spirit is the one who prepares a body. Hebrews 10:5 says, "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me." The Holy Spirit prepared a body for the Son of God to come into the world as the Son of Man. A body that God could use to be the Sacrifice for the sins of the world.
The Holy Spirit continues to prepare bodies fit for service. Before a person is born again into the family of God, the Holy Spirit is at work, drawing that individual to the LORD (John 6:44,65). The Holy Spirit baptizes an individual into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). The Holy Spirit prepares every vessel for service. Romans 8:13 says, ". . . but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Therefore it is by a work of the Holy Spirit that we mortify the deeds of the body.
As the person "called of God" spends time praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20), their faith is built up; whereby they can be used to minister to the people. The Holy Spirit is the one who builds them up in faith. The Holy Spirit prepares them for the work of the ministry.