Healing

Foreword. In the following lines, we are going to explore healing, which is an important and interesting area. The purpose is to find out what the Bible says about it and whether it is possible for a person to personally experience it even today. When in the times of the apostles and Jesus, the healing of the body was common and was usually expected as an answer to prayer, it would be good if the same could be experienced today. The God who healed people then certainly hasn't changed at all. That is why even today it is worth waiting for his help.

    However, before receiving the healing, we are going to study the background of the diseases and what things should be taken into account when looking for help in this area. These things should be clarified, because they can affect the experience of healing.

1. Points worthy of consideration

When seeking healing from God, there are various factors that should be considered before that, because they can either promote or worsen our physical condition. Some of them are related to everyone's own spiritual life and others are factors that are behind many diseases. It is good to understand and know both areas so that healing can begin. These issues are listed below.

Surrendering your life to God. The most important thing is that we are saved and that our whole life has been given over to God. Even if we never heal in this life, everyone still needs to turn wholeheartedly to God and seek His will. The salvation of our soul and the fulfillment of His will in our own lives is much more important than the health of the body, which is also a good thing.

    On the other hand, healing can sometimes remain unfulfilled precisely because one does not seek God's kingdom first, even though Jesus urged it. We have to have the right order of priorities in our lives, so God's help can be more tangible. Therefore, turn to Jesus Christ with all your heart, let him save youself and seek His will. It is the most important thing you can do in this lifetime:

- (Matt 16:26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

- (Matt 6:33) But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

Give up bitterness and accusations!

- (Matt 18:32,33) Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me:

33 Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you?

The second important issue when searching for healing is forgiveness, giving up bitterness and accusations. Sometimes healing can be prevented simply because we refuse to forgive and continuously brood over the faults of others. If such issues as bitterness, anger, and accusations are the most important in our life, and we do not want to be freed of them, then it is no use to pray for healing. It may be that we will not experience it, because God expects that we first change our mind.

   However, forgiveness itself provides health in our life. Some doctors consider many diseases to be thymogenic or based on emotions. If we can be freed from these negative feelings, this freedom alone may produce healing. A special prayer is not always needed for healing to occur: forgiveness itself may lead to a change. The starting point is that we recognize our wrong and negative attitudes and confess these as sins. When we do this, the healing process may begin.

Nicky Cruz: Wherever I go, people continually ask me to pray that they would be healed, would get over an economic crisis or would be freed from continuous attacks of the devil. Instead of immediately praying, I now first ask whether they have forgiven.

   It is amazing how ugly issues come up to the surface when I test them a little.

   Is it useless to pray on their behalf if there is an unforgiving mind in the background. An unforgivable mind lets the devil in our life and will threaten everything we love – our family relationships, career, work, physical and mental health. (1)

Start to bless! There is a good way to get rid of a bitter attitude and accusing mind: Begin blessing people and expressing gratitude for your present circumstances. When we are faced with difficulties in life, we can always choose to bless people and feel gratitude for everything instead of cursing and being discontent. We can, at least to some extent, choose which of these attitudes we adopt in our life.

   It is true that making the right choices can sometimes be exceptionally difficult, at least without the power of God to support us, but do we have any other alternatives? We can to a great extent affect the direction in which our life is going by making these small choices. Therefore, instead of cursing, start blessing people and try to be grateful to God for circumstances of your life:  

- (1 Cor 10:10) Neither murmur you, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

- (Rom 12:14) Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

- (1 Thess 5:18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

- (Eph 5:20) Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

- (Ps 50:23) Whoever offers praise glorifies me: and to him that orders his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.

- (Ps 118:24) This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

- (Col 2:6,7) As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Recognize the root cause of issues!

- (Hebr 12:15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

- (Matt 7:1,2) Judge not, that you be not judged.

2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.

One aspect of forgiveness is to recognize the wrong attitudes and thoughts we have. Often the problem with bitterness, and especially with judging people, is that we have not noticed it. We may be accusatory and disapproving of others without even recognizing it. We may judge other people and disapprove of them because we have not actually been standing in “the light of God” and because we have not perceived this wrong attitude as a sin. This misguided attitude may also be one reason why God does not heal us.

   This issue is very well illustrated in the passage below. Carol Arnott describes the cause of her judging attitude. Most people probably suffer, at least to some degree, the same problem:

When I became a Christian, I understood that there was plenty of unforgiveness in my heart, and that I had to be freed of it. I worked on it, but it didn’t seem to change my feelings towards my mother. I understood that something was wrong. I tried again and again to forgive, but the feelings in my heart didn’t change a bit. Only after Paula and John Sanford taught me about judging arising from bitterness I understood what it was all about.

   The Scriptures advise us to respect our father and mother only if they are good Christians and do everything right. Or does it actually say so? No! The Bible doesn't teach this, even though we might hope so. (...)

   In those areas of life where you despise your parents, nothing goes well. Of course, we don’t blame them for everything, but usually we judge them in those areas of our life where we have been hurt or neglected.

   I thought to myself, "God, I don't understand this. I have forgiven her. What does this mean exactly?” He said, "You have loathed her. You have sinned when you have not respected your mother.” God started to show me the two sides of the issue. We must forgive. But we also need to repent our own sin, our intolerant attitude.

   On one hand, I had to forgive her, and so I did. However, I still didn’t respect her in my heart. I hated her and I judged her.

   The problem was my sin, not hers. My reaction towards my mother was a sin, and this is what I did not understand earlier. Satan, who is extremely law-minded, went to God and said, "God, Carol has sinned. She has not repented the fact that she judged her mother in her mind. I have the legal right to bring the law of sowing and reaping into Carol's life." (2)

Give up self-reproach! Bitterness and judging other people are problems for many, but people can also have other addictions.

   A commonly seen misguided attitude is self-reproach or self-judgment. One may forgive others but continue condemning himself. Without recognition of that fact, it becomes difficult or impossible to repent. A person may continually accuse and belittle himself: "You disgusting good-for-nothing, you have no right to live..." He may also continuously blame himself for past sins and refuse to forgive himself, even though God forgave him ages ago (We are forgiven our sins immediately after turning to God through Jesus Christ and repenting). The problem is that a person may not accept the love of God in his life; Instead, he wishes to judge himself – and this is not right. Consider:

- (Rom 8:31-37) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies.

34 Who is he that comdemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

However, if you are faced with this situation, you should immediately stop judging and blaming yourself and recognize that this is a sin. You should acknowledge the fact that this kind of an attitude is wrong, just like judging other people is a sin. So, confess this sin to God, and any other sins you’ve committed. The model below provides a framework you might use to confess your sins and command the powers of the enemy to leave.  

Lord, Father, forgive me…

- for my self-anger, suicidal thoughts, and my self-pity. Thank You for forgiving me and purifying me of all unrighteousness through the blood of Your Son Jesus.

- for my bitterness and judgement of other people. Thank you for forgiving me and purifying me of all unrighteousness through the blood of Your Son Jesus.

- for my misguided connections to the world of evil spirits and the fact that I have taken part in spiritualism (foretelling, spirit healing, UFOs, horoscopes, hypnosis, passive meditation...). I ask for You take away from me those supernatural gifts and abilities that are not of You and that You take away from me also all such connections to the world of evil spirits that are not of You.

   Thank you for forgiving me and for purifying my body, soul, and spirit of all unrighteousness through the blood of Your Son Jesus, in the name of Jesus, amen.

Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God that I have judged myself, judged other people, and taken part in... Now, you no longer have any legal rights in these areas, because through the blood of Jesus I have received forgiveness of these matters from God. Therefore, I command you now in the name of Jesus Christ to leave me and my surroundings, and never to return!

Understand the grace of God! One problem with the relationship between God and many people is that they do not really believe that God has forgiven them (which may lead to them confessing the same sins of their past life over and over again, although God forgave them immediately after they turned to Him) and that they have been accepted through Jesus Christ. These people may live in a state of legalism and their own wickedness, thinking that they are not fit to accept anything from God (which is indeed actually true, since we cannot earn the grace of God). They may also think that they are not good enough and their relationship with God is not just right for Him to be able to bless them or heal them. We are talking about a state in which a person measures him/herself against him/herself and always looks at him/herself only, not at what s/he will be through Christ.

   If you are faced with this condition, you should free yourself from it. Because – according to the Bible – if we have received Jesus Christ and turned to Him, we will be pardoned, accepted, our sins will be wiped away (The sins of the past or the fact that you have become ill because of them cannot be an obstacle to the healing power of God.) and nothing can separate us from the love of God. Therefore, believe the truth of the Word considering yourself, and do not look at your own defects: look at what you can be through Christ. The following points, for example, will be true if you have turned to God via Jesus. You should first understand these issues and your state in the grace of God, because then it will be much easier to receive healing from the hand of God:

You have been saved by grace:

- (Eph 2:8,9) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

- (Eph 2:4,5) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)

- (Acts 15:11) But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

In addition to your having been saved by grace, you are also now – all the time – under grace. This means that you are fully acceptable when you pray eight hours a day as when you have fallen. Neither your devoted service nor your human mistakes can change this in any way:

- (Rom 5:1,2) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

- (Rom 6:14,15) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

- (Phil 1:7) Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace.

- (1 Peter 2:10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

- (1 Peter 5:12) By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand.

You have been redeemed:

- (1 Cor 6:20) For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

- (Gal 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:

You are as righteous as Jesus, because you are in Him. Therefore, there is no need for you to try to be righteous by yourself:

- (1 Cor 1:30) But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

God is your father just like He is the father of Jesus:

- (Mark 14:36) And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will.

- (Rom 8:15) For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

- (Gal 4:6) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

You are a child of God, because you have received Jesus into your life. At the same time, you are a joint-heir with Christ:

- (John 1:12) 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:

- (Gal 4:5-7) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Why you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

- (Rom 8:15-17) For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

- (1 John 3:1,2) Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Jesus is your brother:

- (John 20:17) Jesus said to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

God has loved you:

- (Eph 2:4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- (Rom 5:8) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- (1 John 4:10) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God has chosen you:

- (Eph 1:4) According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

- (1 Cor 1:28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are:

God wanted you to be born:

- (Rev 4:11) You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

You are a friend of God:

- (John 15:15) From now on I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.

Nothing can separate you from the love of God:

- (Rom 8:38,39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God is with you:

- (Ps 23:1-4) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

- (Hebr 13:5) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

You will spend the eternity with God, who loves you:

- (Rev 21:3,4) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

- (Rom 8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

- (2 Cor 4:17,18) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 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.

2. The causes of illnesses

When looking for a reason for the cause of the diseases, their cause can sometimes be obscure. Although it is now known that many diseases originate from poor lifestyles or bacterial and viral infections, there are also diseases for which there seems to be no obvious cause. Their beginnings seem to be a secret. The reasons for diseases that are not always taken into account are at least such factors as our feelings, heredity, but also diseases associated with occult objects, as well as curses. In the following, therefore, we intend to investigate these hidden causes of diseases. We will start with the latter two factors, which in western countries are rare, but nevertheless important topics to deal with.

Objects. When it is a question of the causes of illness, we should consider that an illness may be caused by an object that was used in occult practices. If there are objects used in idol worship (occultist literature, statues, jewelry, souvenirs - especially from countries where sorcery is widely practiced) kept in our home, they may be home to evil spirits and may cause disease, depression, and attacks of the enemy. Many of these objects can be neutral in themselves, but if magic spells are connected to them, they will always burden a home, and this burden will not be lifted until the object in question has been destroyed:

For example, images of owls symbolize occultism in the East. Isaiah 34:14 "there the night creatures will also repose..." The translation of the King James Bible uses the word "owl" in the place of “nocturnal animals”. In Hebrew, it is "the ghost of the night ". If you have many pictures of owls in your home, ask yourself why. Generally, homes where there are images of owls also house plenty of illnesses.

   Two girls who lived together caught the flu again and again one winter. They were always sick. A friend of theirs told them about the occult objects in their home and suggested that they get rid of the owls. The girls were skeptical but decided that it was worth a try. They destroyed the owls, quickly experienced healing and remained healthy for the rest of the year.

   When we are disobedient towards God and bring these pictures and objects into our homes, our disobedience offers Satan grounds to torment us. Each object of the wrong religion that has been used in practicing occultism must be burnt, broken, destroyed...  Each object brings within it a spirit into your home and thus you have called evil spirits to affect you and your family. They act against Jesus, the family, and moral standards. The husband of the house is regarded accountable before God for this. Quarrelling, controversy, diseases, and disturbed dreams often testify the existence of occultist objects and materials. (3)

How can we be freed from the strain of these objects? The answer is to destroy all objects and to pray freedom from them and the evil powers of the enemy in the name of Jesus. The people in Ephesus really did this: they brought all occult literature together and burned it. If they had not done this, they would not have been freed from their occult shackles, but now they were able to simply break the connection.

- (Acts 19:19) Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Curses

- (Pro 26:2) As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

In some cases, people may be ill or experience oppressive or inexplicable anxiety due to curses recited by others. In some countries, sorcery is considered normal and very ordinary and people are suffering from it. A problem with curses is that often their origin and background is not easy to recognize, unless the person him/herself has specific information about a person who has something against him or her.

   The next letter describes this issue well:

I have just recovered from a terrible attack of the enemy. Bleeding, heart disease, palpitation, and exhaustion. My whole being was in a state of collapse. Suddenly, I remembered in prayer to pray against all psychic powers that were focused upon me (a psychic 'prayer'). In faith and by the power of the blood of Jesus, I cut it off myself, and the result was amazing. Suddenly, my breathing became normal, the bleeding stopped, the exhaustion disappeared, all the pain left, and life returned to my body. Since that moment, I have been refreshed and become stronger. God let me know that my condition was due to a group of betrayed souls in opposition against me who directed their 'prayers' against me. God has used me to release two of them, but the others are still in a terrible abyss. (4)

And how can we be freed of curses and attacks of the spiritual realm? The power is in the name of Jesus. If you suspect that your problems are caused by a curse, command the curse to be broken and those evil powers causing it to leave in the name of Jesus Christ. You can also ask God for special protection against anger and ask God to break all the connections between you and the attacks of the evil spirit world. You can do it like this, for example:

In the name of Jesus Christ, I break all curses that have been set against me. At the same time, I command in the name of Jesus Christ all demonic powers and illnesses to leave me and the life of my family, and you must never come back!"

    And Lord, dear Heavenly Father, I ask that You give me protection against anger and that You break all connections between me and the attacks of the spirit world. I also wish to bless those people who have spoken badly about me and cursed me. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”

Heredity. Heredity. One reason for diseases can be heredity. Just as spiritual abilities, a tendency towards certain character traits, sins or suicides can be inherited, certain diseases can also be passed from one generation to another. Everyone can inherit blessings and curses in the spirit world, which then affect his life. Often the background of negative things is the sins committed by parents or ancestors, oaths (e.g. Mormon or freemason oaths) or curses placed on the family. All of them can be the source of certain diseases:

One spirit that we have successfully driven out is the spirit of heredity. Sometimes, a curse has been laid against a family, and if you examine the family history far back enough, you may notice that at some stage people say, "Now I remember: father of grandfather was cursed", and that curse has been passed on to the present generation.

   In one meeting that we held on the West Coast, there was a young man who came from a family of twenty-four children and FOURTEEN OF THEM WERE DEAF! What does this indicate? Surely that the deafness was caused by the spirit of heredity, since the conditions at birth could not have been so similar as to cause the children to become deaf; the cause was in the hereditary factors of the family. Who messes with these genes? The devil does!

   So, the spirit of heredity had been passed on in that family from one generation to the next. We put our hands on the young man; we bound Satan in the name of Jesus and by the power of God. Then we drove out the spirit of heredity and asked God to create new eardrums for him. The young man must have had faulty eardrums or no eardrums at all, because he started to hear for the first time in his life! (5)

How then to break the false hereditary bonds that came from the world of the spirit, then liberation starts here too from two basic things, i.e. the confession of sins and the command that comes after them to the forces of the enemy of the soul. In this situation, however, a person must bring to light the sins of his parents or ancestors (Lev 26:40-42, because it is a question of spiritual gifts or illnesses, for example, that have been handed down), confess them and say goodbye to them. When this has been done, we can command forces of devil to leave and ask God to heal us (you can put your hands on you or anoint the place where you wish the Healing power of God to touch you). It can happen, for example, according to the following model:

Heavenly Father, I confess to You all the sins of my ancestors and parents, (such as sorcery, spiritualism, spirit healing, immorality, wrong oaths…) and resign from them. Thank You that I can be free from the effect of these sins and from all the evil spirits by the atonement of Jesus. Thank You that my spiritual legacy comes from Christ and not from the sins of my ancestors. Amen.

Satan and all evil spirits, I have confessed to God the sins and wrong oaths of my ancestors and parents and resigned from them. Now, you have no legal right in this area, because through the blood of Jesus, these issues have been forgiven and their effect has been broken. Therefore, I command you now in the name of Jesus Christ to leave me, and you must never come back!

Feelings

- (Pro 17:22) A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.

One reason for illnesses can be our own emotions. It has been known for a long time that a person is a psychosomatic entity and that negative emotions can have a detrimental effect on the body's health. Doctors have estimated that 70% or more of all physical illnesses are emotional. They are due to the fact that when emotions continue for a long time, they lower our resistance to various ailments. We may push the body to bear the troubles that our soul first bore.

    Diseases that fall into this category may include heart disease, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, strokes, asthma, breathing difficulties, headaches, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, colon disorders, stomach ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, sexual impotence, menstrual disorders, certain skin diseases and allergies, cancer, tuberculosis, toxic goiter, diabetes... They may be related in some way to previously experienced strong negative emotions:

However, real life is not like this. The majority of my patients do not come to me because they suffer from horrible diseases, such as made up by the scriptwriters in Hollywood. Actually, I estimate that as much as 85% of the persons to whom I offer medical assistance come to me because of more meaningless reasons: they come because of gastric ulcers, high blood pressure, or a weak heart. And the primary reason these illnesses exist is not that my patients have been swimming in the Ganges, but that many of them are afflicted with one or more of the emotions discussed in this book: anger, worry, guilt, depression. (6)

Dr. Paul Tournier presents a good example of the issue in question in his book Ihmisen parantamisesta (Medecine de la personne). He presents how lowered immunity of a person may be caused by negative feelings. The person mentioned in this example got abscesses every time he had been arguing with his wife. Tournier’s book presents several similar cases in which the consequences of intense feelings have appeared as different kinds of diseases:

One day, a sick person came to me. He had an abscess on the nape of his neck. Let us call him Sigismund. While bandaging him, I asked whether he was engaged in some dangerous work or had quarreled with someone. Sigismund said no and that he was happy.

      I then told him that I myself had had a couple of abscesses too, each time just a day after I had been in a bad mood, and that they had broken out soon after I had honestly confessed to myself the real cause of them.

    At this point, Sigismund blurted out, "It is the same with me. I always get an abscess after having quarreled with my wife. I have noticed the pattern, but I have not dared to speak about it, because I thought it was only a coincidence; after all, abscesses are caused by microbes."

    What Sigismund did not know – because in popular books about medicine this is never mentioned – is that the Staphylococci that cause abscesses are ordinary microbes, present in each of us all the time, but not always leading to an infection. Therefore, it is wrong to say that the Staphylococci cause abscesses. The Bacteria do, indeed, promote the process, but the real cause is issues that hamper one's immune system and thus promote the development of active microbes. (7)

So what is the significance of knowing that some illnesses and body ailments are connected to our mood? The answer to this is that it doesn't matter that much, at least in terms of the past - unless God wants to reveal our wrong attitudes in the past as well as soul wounds that may have arisen from some heavy experiences. Often God starts healing first on the level of the soul and memories and only then on the body area. There is not much use in digging up the past, especially if it has been completely forgiven through the blood of Jesus.

    Instead, what is more important is what we are now and what our current attitude is. Does our attitude promotes our own health? Is our attitude in line with the will of God?

    Important attitudes are especially gratitude and blessing people, which were mentioned earlier. Their meaning is that if we are grateful to God for everything and instead of cursing, we bless people (including ourselves, because cursing oneself cannot be right) and circumstances, there is no room for wrong attitudes. Their benefit is also that they remove false people-centeredness and self-centeredness (the biggest cause of depression?) and are useful in terms of health:

- (1 Thess 5:18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

- (Ps 118:24) This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

- (Col 2:6,7) As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

3. Healing comes from God

When it comes to healing and God's promises, it is important that we do not view them negatively. Healing can often be prevented because we thwart God's plans for us with our pride and unbelief. This happened in Nazareth, in the hometown of Jesus, when people were critical and disbelieving (Matt 13:58: And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.) Also today, we may live in an environment that does not support faith in God, and for this reason not many healings have occurred.

   Kathryn Kuhlman noted that the congregation can easily foil God’s promises and the truth:

For too long, the church has spiritualized God's truth. Too often we have transferred our rights to future glory when we could already live them out here. (8)

The next quote from a book written by Veikko Pekki addresses the same issue. It shows how some may have completely lost their faith in preaching:

The word of faith back!

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart already in the beginning of the year 1991, and told me that I must faithfully preach the returning of the power of Christ into our congregations and to our meetings.

   In Espoo, on April 6, 1991, the brethren day of the Pentecostal congregations of Uusimaa and Southern Häme were arranged. There had been a burning message in my heart for a long time, and I presented that message in this meeting. My speech was titled, "The word of faith back to our preaching." The question of the subheading was: "Are we losing our charisma?"

   In those days, the fight against the movement called the Faith of Word was hard. I knew more and more powerfully that not everything in our lives was as it should be. I present here some excerpts from my speech, because I believe that these issues will be topical in the following phase of this renewing movement. The introduction starts with a written prophecy:

"My people, my people, why have you Forsaken me? Why are you so far from me, and do not hear the words of my groaning? My people, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, and by night, and am not silent. And yet I am the Holy One, whose Throne is in the middle of your praise. Should I yet again step down, so that the mountains would shake before me – how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone! Do you not hear the word of promise, the word of faith, through which you have received the Spirit? But you have killed faith, regarded it as cheap, and you have not striven for it: you have not provided for the weak, you have not healed the sick, bound the wounded, not brought back those who are lost, not searched for the lost. But even now I stand at the door and knock; therefore be diligent and repent, lest I vomit you out of my mouth. I have opened the door of faith to the Heathens of this nation; I am for you the great door leading to Massive and fruitful work, if you again heed my word that really is the word of faith. But if you reject the word of faith, this door will be closed to you, and I will open it elsewhere, for I will appear still to this Nation and I will gather my chosen ones. (9)

If we look at some Bible passages, we can also see the significance of faith in healing. Faith is not needed in every situation; God can heal without it, but very often in the times of Jesus and the Apostles, people received healing when God responded to their faith. This can be seen in the next verses:

- (Matt 8:10,13) When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Truly I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

13 And Jesus said to the centurion, Go your way; and as you have believed, so be it done to you. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

- (Matt 9:22) But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

- (Matt 9:28-30) nd when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said to them, Believe you that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord.

29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it to you.

30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straightly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

- (Matt 15:28) Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great is your faith: be it to you even as you will. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

- (Luke 8:50) But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

- (John 4:50,51) Jesus said to him, Go your way; your son lives. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken to him, and he went his way.

51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Your son lives.

- (Acts 3:16) And his name through faith in his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know: yes, the faith which is by him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

- (Acts 14:8-10) And there sat a certain man at Lystra, weak in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

9 The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped and walked.

WHEN HEALING IS DELAYED. When we search for healing, it is important that we have faith and that we have repented. This is essential, because the message of Jesus and the Apostles was the same and they preached, "repent you, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). If we forget these important issues and leave them out, we undervalue the message of the Gospel.

     On the other hand, one mistake that can also be made is to believe that healing is always postponed because of lack of faith or a sin that has not been confessed (= has not been repented). Many may think that the reason for delayed healing is always one or both of these things, and sometimes this attitude can lead to accusing others. Kathryn Kuhlman tells about this type of situation: 

I remember very well that evening when I walked out from a tent in which healing meetings had been held. I remember well the despair and disappointment on the faces of people who had not been healed. At the meeting, they had been told that they were not healed because they were lacking in faith.

   For a long time I couldn’t get rid of what I had just seen.

   Was this God's great mercy, God's great providence? I remember that evening, I remember how I cried and said, “They have taken my Lord and I don’t know where they have put Him.”

   I remember how I went to my room and shouted to God, praying for light and a true answer to my questions. I can take you to that place; I can take you to the streets where I walked that evening. I can take you to my room where I prayed as I had prayed never before. I searched for Him as I had searched never before. (10)

But is healing always delayed because of a sin or lack of faith? Even though they sometimes can prevent healing, there must also be cases indicating the opposite: there are situations in which these explanations are not adequate.

    Next, we will study this matter. The idea is to prove that healing is not always delayed because of one of the reasons mentioned above. Sometimes, there may be hidden reasons that God alone knows.

The fall and illness. When we first consider the idea that illness is always caused by sin, we should note that this cannot be applied to many of the saints of the Old and New Testament. When we study their biographies, we see that several of them became ill at some point in their life.

   One example of this is Job, whose trials are well known; but there were others, as well. They fell ill (though, notably, several of them were healed later) and their sins could in no way be the reason for their not being healed. A mention of illness is found at least for these people:

- Job fell ill, but his sins were not the cause, because God praised his life (Job 1:8). He was later healed (Job 42:10).

- Elisha suffered from an illness that later killed him (2 King 13:14).

- Hezekiah became ill and was at the brink of dead, but God healed him (2 King 20:1-7). Neither was his illness caused by his sins, because he had dedicated himself to God and "the Lord was with him" (2 King 18:1-7).

- Daniel was ill for a while (Dan 8:27).

- When in Galatia, Paul experienced physical weakness (Gal 3:13-16).

- Epaphroditus was ill and almost died, but God had mercy on him (Phil 2:25-27).

- Timothy had trouble with his stomach, and Paul advised him to drink a little wine (1 Tim 5:23).

- Trophimus remained in Miletus because he was sick; no more specific explanation is given  (2 Tim 4:20).

Although illness does not always need to be connected with a sin, as the examples above illustrate, there is still some connection between the two. The major cause of illnesses is the Fall of the first two human beings. We continue suffering the consequences from their actions, in the form of diseases, temptations, suffering – and death, which will be destroyed last (1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death):

- (Rom 5:12) Why, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed on all men, for that all have sinned:

When we seek the root cause of all diseases, we always find the cause to be a consequence of the first Fall, when sin and illness came into the world. It is true that our own acts can occasionally cause a disease, but certainly the fundamental reason is the Fall that occurred centuries ago.

ILLNESS AND FAITH. Lack of faith is another reason given to explain a delay in healing. Many people believe that if healing is delayed, it is because they lack faith or they do not trust the promises of God. Many may proclaim that if someone has only a “positive confession” they can repel all ordeals, suffering, and illnesses, and not have to experience them at all. It has been thought that by exercising strong enough faith, one can completely avoid suffering and illness.

   When we examine whether or not this theory is valid, we see defects. Even though it is true that being skeptical about the promises of God and lacking faith can prevent healing, there must also be some situations in which healing occurs despite these negative attitudes. We should take into account at least the following:

The lives of many saints. Firstly, it is good for us to study the lives of many saints. If we read the biographies of saints who experienced many miracles of healing, we see that many of them suffered from various kinds of diseases and ailments during their years of service. Among these saints are Niilo Yli-Vainio in Finland, Kathryn Kuhlman, Smith Wigglesworth, and many other servants of God.

   Their ailments were surely not caused by lack of faith because they had faith; the reason is simply because each of us must face illness -- even those people whom God has especially chosen and used.

  This can be seen in the life of Smith Wigglesworth, whose service in the early part of the 20^th Century demonstrated that he was a true servant of God. He recovered from several illnesses, such as hemorrhoids, a perforated appendix, and bad teeth, but still he was a servant of God, used to heal thousands of others – and even to raise some people from the dead.

   Nevertheless, in his biography is a description of his suffering from kidney stones for six years until he was freed from them. The quote below describes how he suffered. His ailments could not have been caused by his lack of faith; this indicates how anyone can be faced with a disease. It is also good to note that Wigglesworth recovered from this too:

(...) Healing miracles took place when Smith Wigglesworth prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. He was sicker than many of those for whom he prayed, but he did not receive any mitigation for his own ailment. (…) In Switzerland, he was like a burning flame travelling from one congregation to another. As a result there was revival. Souls were saved, and people were healed from all kinds of illnesses. Large assembly halls were full of people and they all got to experience the blessing of God. (…)

   When he went to America, a record number of people came to hear him. Even the largest of assembly halls were always full of people and he prayed for thousands: yet he himself was sick all the time. His son-in-law and daughter often left him in bed when he was too sick to attend his own meetings. But later on, when the meeting had already started, he arrived in the middle of the congregation, hold his sermon and prayed for the suffering people, only to return straight to bed. Occasionally, when he was holding his meetings, his pains got more intense but he tried to endure them for as long as possible. Sometimes, he would leave the stage and rest for a little while only to return soon to continue the meeting. (11)

Healing without faith. It is important to note that God has also healed many people who do not have strong faith and who have not been expecting to be healed. Even though faith is an important conduit for healing, it is possible for God to heal a person who does not believe in Him and who has lived in sin – although many of these people find salvation after being healed.

   In the Bible, one good example of this is a man who was sent to capture Jesus. It is not likely that he was a believer, and he certainly did not live according to the will of God, but Jesus still healed his ear, even though the man did not expect to be healed. This is only one of the events found in the New Testament where the faith of a person is not a requirement for healing. There are similar events described in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles:

- (Luke 22:50,51) And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer you thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Kathryn Kuhlman – in whose meetings thousands of sick people were healed in the last century – also noticed that faith was not always necessary for healing. Many were completely healed without faith, and without expecting anything from God. These healings were surely caused by the love of God, His mercy and pity upon those people:

All this surprises me more than anyone else, because I know better than anyone else that I myself have nothing to do with these miraculous cures. This tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit - like all miracles - surpasses even belief, for I have seen many people who have been healed, even though they did not have a shred of faith in them. (12)

The schedule of the healing. The third important thing to understand is that faith alone cannot heal anyone. Faith by itself does not have the power to perform the works of God: everything relies upon the mercy of God and His power alone. Even if we have faith and trust in the promises of God, and we doubt nothing, this alone cannot heal us: we need the touch of God. This also prevents faith from becoming an accomplishment, which can easily happen.

   What this means from our viewpoint is that we cannot determine the schedule for healing. There is no way to know if it will happen in a second, minute, week or month (or, as Jesus said: ... apart from me you can do nothing.).

   For even if one has faith, his healing requires the touch of God. Therefore, the main issue is not always faith or lack thereof, but the schedule of God. This also answers the questions as to why some people have not been healed yet. Perhaps they will be healed at another time.

  What is important to understand is that if we receive Jesus Christ into our life, we will experience healing, at the latest, when we enter the kingdom of God. There we will receive a perfect resurrected body. Healing comes from the atonement work of Jesus and that is why we can say with certainty that each person in Him will be healed, healthy, and without ailments at one point in time. The old order of things, and also our pain, will be gone in the coming kingdom:

- (Rom 8:23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

- (Phil 3:21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.

- (Rev 21:3-6) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

MEDICINE. An issue that is connected with healing and faith are medicinal substances and the use of them. It is a question of whether it is right and reasonable to give up using medicine or other external care as a matter of faith and because "we do not really trust in God unless we do so."

   The answer to this question is that these do not exclude each other; instead, they support each other. Many people have been (and still are) helped by operations, organ transplants, or vaccines (tetanus, smallpox, cholera, plague, rabies, polio...), for example. These have helped and saved the lives of millions of people. Their help should not be underestimated, but should be accepted.  

   On the other hand, if someone gives up using medicine too early "as an act of faith," it may sometimes cause serious consequences, even death, and this is why we should never hurry to give up medicine. There is plenty of time to give up using medicine when we have been healed. Also, if someone has not been healed yet, he can seek normal medical treatment:

Years ago, I got a leg wound as a consequence of a vein infection I had got during my "smoking years”. The best intercessors in the country prayed for me. I confessed healing verses and I held on to the promises of the Word. Charles commanded the illness to leave. I commanded the illness to leave. Charles put his hands on me. I put my hands on myself. A few times the whole congregation put their hands on me, but nothing helped. (…) My foot ached unbearably, no matter in which position I put it. The infection had spread to my whole leg and in the spirit I felt convicted, because the healing did not occur!

   (…) I immediately went to the hospital without any feelings of guilt whatsoever. The bone specialist removed the diseased tissue, and to everyone’s surprise my foot healed in record time. I was told that I had to be in the hospital for several weeks. Charles received the message of knowledge and informed the doctor that I would leave the hospital in eight days. And that is what happened!

   When I was in the hospital, I was able to witness and as a result, my roommate received Jesus. Her husband and her son were also saved, and all three were filled with the Holy Spirit. The doctor said, "God certainly has had a hand in this!” Hallelujah!

   If you have tried and tried, as I did, and nothing has helped, do not judge yourself. Go and get medical help! That is what I did, and now my foot has been healed! (13)

4. Is it the will of God to heal?

When searching for healing, one of the most important things to ask is: Is it the will of God to heal? Is it His will to heal today just as it was before in the days of Jesus and the Apostles? If we are uncertain, it is quite impossible to expect healing. It is impossible to expect healing, because our faith does not have any reliable foundation. Neither is the prayer of faith that James mentions in his letter possible if we are uncertain.

- (Jam 1:6-8) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

- (Jam 5:14,15) 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:

15 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.

The same subject is described in the next quotes. They show that there is no trustworthy and solid foundation for faith if we are unsure of the will of God to heal. If we do not believe it is His will, then we cannot expect the blessing of God:

Until you are completely convinced that it is God’s will for you to be healthy, you will always doubt in your mind as to whether you will be healed or not. As long as you doubt in your mind, you cannot have total faith and you will perhaps never be healed until you use your faith without doubt. (…)

   As soon as a person is completely sure that God wants to heal him and that God does not want him to be sick, he will almost always receive healing when someone prays for him or even before that. When we are aware of the will of God to heal, we will have the foundation for total faith.

    We never doubt the eagerness of God to save even the most hopeless man. How can we be so sure? Because we have been taught the biblical truth.

   Since childhood, we have been taught that salvation belongs to all people who believe, because: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

   Had we been taught the truth about physical healing in the same way as we have been taught the truth about spiritual salvation, we would believe in healing in the same way as we believe in regeneration. (14)

But what does the Bible teach? Is it possible for us to experience health in our own life and is it the will of God to touch and heal people now in the same way as he did 2,000 years ago?

   Next, we are going to study these questions and their answers. Most of the evidence suggests that healing is meant for this day and age as well. We can experience it now.

THE ILLNESSES WERE TAKEN ON THE CROSS. The will of God to heal illnesses was proven when Jesus carried our sins and illnesses to the cross. He carried them just as in old covenant times a goat carried bad acts of the people to the desert (Lev 16:22: And the goat shall bear on him all their iniquities to a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.). By this act, He became our substitute in the sense that he took our sins and illnesses to the cross so that we could be freed from them:

The sins

- (Isa 53:6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

- (Isa his 53:11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

- (Isa 53:12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

- (1 Peter 2:24) Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.

- (1 John 3:5) And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

The illnesses

- (Isa 53:4) Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

- (Isa 53:5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed.

- (Isa 53:10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

- (Matt 8:16-17) When the even was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.

- (1 Peter 2:24) Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.

Therefore, when Jesus, as our surrogate, carried our illnesses and took them away, it means that others are no longer needed to bear them. We can believe that all illnesses, big and small - AIDS, paralysis, cancer, plagues, bad teeth, flu and fever - have already been taken with Him to the cross. Therein lies the reason why healing can be expected to belong to every child of God.

    The extent of Jesus' work on the cross is also evident in the fact that God has performed creative miracles. It may have happened that the amputated leg has been replaced by a new leg or the organ removed by surgery has been replaced by a new organ, as well as other similar cases can be found. The examples show that Jesus' work of redemption covers this area as well and that healing can be expected from God for all kinds of situations and illnesses:

Kathryn Kuhlman: We have in our archives numerous testimonies that God has replaced some organ that has been cut off in an operation. CREATIVE FAITH RESTORES. Creative faith creates reality. Creative faith bears miracles. (15)

T.L. Osborn: We have seen how hopeless cripples have been healed, risen and walked even though they had been in a wheelchair for as long as forty-two years. Those who have lain in beds and stretchers have risen fully healed.

  We have seen how cross-eyed people have suddenly seen straight, how stiff joints have bent in a moment and how strumas and tumors have disappeared.

   We have seen how the creative power of God has recreated and healed eardrums, lungs, kidneys, ribs and body parts that had been cut off in surgery. (…)

   This evening, a young woman cried as she was telling how she had, at the age of two years, had polio that resulted in her right foot becoming withered. It had become almost eight centimeters shorter than the left foot. She is now healthy and walks around without limping the least bit, and it is impossible to see any difference between her feet. When she was walking, she covered her face in her hands and wept for joy, because God had healed her. (…)

   A stone-deaf boy was healed. Behind his ear, there was a big scar where the organs that allow us to hear had been cut off. God made a creative miracle, and now the boy can hear even the smallest whisper. (16)

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil

- (1 John 3:8) He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

- (Col 2:15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Another reason to believe in the will of God to heal illnesses is that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He came to the world and died to fix the effects of the Fall, including illnesses caused by the devil. Death comes from the devil (1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.) The devil continues to spread disease, illnesses and ailments to torment people. Some illnesses are directly and some indirectly caused by the spirit of illness:

You can see this from the Bible and when you understand it, it will help you to believe that God wants to heal you with His supernatural power. 

   One evening, when I was preaching how demons cause illnesses, a preacher in the audience said, "Dr. Osborn, the message of this evening has helped me more than anything else that I have heard before to understand that God wants to heal all illnesses. I realize now that illnesses are not blessings from God, but the attacks of Satan against our body, and I am ready to resist the works of Satan, rebuke him and use my power over him.” (17)

The work of Jesus on the cross included defeating all the powers that cause diseases. He crushed the head of the snake (Gen 3:15); He came so we would have life and abundance (John 10:10: The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.). 

   However, it is important to note that the same attitude to diseases was already manifested during Jesus' life on earth, and not only in his death on the cross. In many places of the Bible, it can be seen how he simultaneously freed people from evil spirits and also cured them of their diseases. He certainly better than anyone else understood that neither of them was God's sowing and his plan for man. In addition, the same thing can be observed in the activities of the apostles: they, too, were allowed to free people from the shackles of evil, as well as to pray to the sick for healing:

- (Matt 8:16,17) When the even was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.

- (Matt 10:8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.

- (Mark 1:32-34) And at even, when the sun did set, they brought to him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

- (Mark 6:13) And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

- (Luke 8:2) And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

- (Luke 9:1,2) Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

- (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;

18 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.

- (Luke 4:40,41) Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, You are Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

- (Luke 6:18,19) And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.

19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

- (Luke 7:21) And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and to many that were blind he gave sight.

- (Mark 5:15) And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

- (Acts 5:16) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

- (Acts 8:5-8) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

- (Acts 19:11-12) And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Rebuking the illness and speaking to it. One issue that should be mentioned here is speaking to an illness and resisting it, such as Jesus rebuked the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law, and she was healed (a disease can hear our speech!):

- (Luke 4:38,39) And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house.  And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they sought him for her.

39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered to them.

- (Jam 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Very often illness may be considered only as a blessing in disguise (which of course it can be when God turns it for good), but it is not understood that it can be an affliction sent by the devil to people. Of course, this does not mean that there is a specific disease spirit behind every ailment. If someone's leg is injured or an eye is blinded as a result of an accident, it is a matter of natural life. Similarly, deafness can be caused by an organic defect and that the hearing bone is damaged, but sometimes the cause can really be the spirit of deafness (Mark 9:25). Some diseases can be ailments sent by the devil, as if intruders into our apartment, the temple of the Holy Spirit. They can burden a person in the same way that some people may constantly hear the whispers of nagging voices around them.

    Thus, when it comes to many diseases, they should not be considered only as hidden blessings, but as intruders that destroy our lives  (John 10:10: The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.). It is certainly not wrong if diseases are rebuked and opposed, as Jesus did in his time. Caution in using this method may still be necessary so that we do not cause harm to the sick or other people.

Resist illnesses. When illnesses are knocking at the door, you say, "Here, but no further. The blood of Jesus has bought my body. Do not come near me.” An illness is always an enemy and must be treated as such. Do not identify with your illness. Do not make your illness a way of life and a subject of conversation. Do not use your illness as a channel by which you can receive love and attention. (18)

The Old and the New Covenant

- (Hebr 7:22) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

- (Hebr 8:6) But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

One reason to believe in God’s willingness to heal the sick is the New Covenant brought by Jesus, a New Covenant that is “founded on better promises." When He came to the world, He replaced the Old Covenant by His perfect life and His atonement. He also shed his blood for the sake of our sins, so that everyone could receive the promises of God, such as healing. These promises belong to each and every one of us, so long as we turn to God through Jesus Christ:

- (2 Cor 1:19,20) For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yes and no, but in him was yes.

20 For all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, to the glory of God by us.

However, it is important to note that when people were already healed during the old and worse union, the same can be expected now. While on the old covenant side people were healed by looking only at Christ's example, or brass serpent, even now there is reason to expect God to touch people as they look at Christ, who Himself is the fulfillment. God promised in the Old Covenant; "I am the Lord that heals you.” If He promised us healing then, He must promise it to us also now in the New Covenant, through Jesus Christ. It is certainly wrong for us to place the exemplars - the following Bible verses tell about them - on a higher level than the fulfillment that came later:

- (Num 21:7-9, comp John 3:14 15) Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against you; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

8 And the LORD said to Moses, Make you a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looks on it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it on a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

- (Gen 20:17) So Abraham prayed to God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bore children.

- (Exo 15:26) And said, If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and will do that which is right in his sight, and will give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases on you, which I have brought on the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that heals you.

- (2 King 5:10,14) And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.

14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like to the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

- (2 King 20:5) Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus said the LORD, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears: behold, I will heal you: on the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.

- (Ps 30:2) O LORD my God, I cried to you, and you have healed me.

- (Ps 103:1-3) Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases;

- (Ps 107:20) He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

The will of Jesus to heal the sick

- (John 4:34) Jesus said to them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

- (John 6:38) For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

One reason for healing is the will of Jesus to heal the sick. Since He came on Earth to do the will of His father, one of his tasks was to heal and free people of all ailments. This means that God desired this, and therefore Jesus and the Apostles were able to strongly act in this area. As a matter of fact, a large share of the work of Jesus on Earth consisted of healing the sick and freeing people from demons. In some cases, Jesus Himself told straight out how He wanted to heal the sick. We can see this in the next passages found in the Bible:

- (Luke 7:21) And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and to many that were blind he gave sight.

- (Matt 8:5-7) And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lies at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him.

- (Mark 1:40-42) And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If you will, you can make me clean.

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and said to him, I will; be you clean.

42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

- (Luke 13:12-17) And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said to her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.

13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said to 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.

15 The Lord then answered him, and said, You hypocrite, does not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, see, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

In addition, we can see from the Bible that when Jesus, while on earth, received sinners (Luke 15:2: This man receives sinners...), He also received the sick and made healthy those who needed it (Matt 9:12: "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.”). So, since "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever," (Hebrews 13:8), we can in the same way turn to Him with our illnesses. We can expect Him to heal those who need healing.

- (Matt 15:30,31) And great multitudes came to 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:

31 So that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

- (Matt 4:24) And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

- (Matt 9:2,6,7) And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said to the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; your sins be forgiven you.

6 But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.

7 And he arose, and departed to his house.

- (Matt 21:14) And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

- (Luke 4:40) Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

- (Luke 5:15) But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

- (Luke 9:11) And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

- (John 7:23,24) If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are you angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Jesus - savior and healer. It was already mentioned in the previous paragraph that Jesus welcomes sinners and the sick. When he was on earth, he received both people and gave them help; either forgiveness of sins or healing.     One of the grounds for healing is that Jesus, in addition to his role as a savior, also acts as a healer. According to the Bible, salvation is obtained through Him, and moreover, only by "touching" Him can one be healed. Both things are obtained through faith in the word of God. In addition, we can read from the Bible that salvation and the healing that comes with it belong "to everyone" and "to all" who just turn to Jesus. We too can count ourselves among these "everyone" and "all"; whether it was salvation or healing. Jesus can assist us in both:   

Salvation

- (Rom 10:13) For whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

- (Acts 10:43) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.

- (John 3:14,15) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

- (John 1:12) 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:

- (1 Tim 2:4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Healing

- (Matt 14:36) And sought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

- (Matt 8:16,17) When the even was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.

- (Matt 12:15) But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from there: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

- (Mark 6:56) And wherever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and sought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

- (Luke 4:40) Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

- (Luke 9:11) And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

- (Jam 5:14,15) 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:

15 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.

The kingdom of heaven. Another clear indication of God’s willingness to heal the sick was that Jesus advised us to pray that His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. That means that if there is no sin, illness, and evil spirits in Heaven, then they are not the will of God for us here on Earth, either. He does not want this for mankind: He wants us to be freed from them. There is certainly no other way to understand the prayer uttered by Jesus:

- (Matt 6:9,10) After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name.

10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

- (Col 1:13) Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

The same thing about the kingdom also appears in the fact that Jesus himself preached and exhorted His disciples to preach about the kingdom of heaven that has come close. In other words, since there is no illness in Heaven, we can experience healing now. The coming kingdom of God is a perfect kingdom having no defects, and this is why we can expect the blessings of God now. The power of His kingdom can break forth even in today's world age, because this is what happened already through the Apostles and Jesus:

- (Matt 4:17,23) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

23 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.

- (Matt 9:35) 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.

- (Luke11:20) But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come on you.

- (Matt 10:7,8) And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.

- (Luke 9:1,2) Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

- (Acts 8:7,12) For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

- (Acts 19:8,11,12) And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

11 And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Commandment to disciples and gifts. When the previous paragraph talked about the kingdom of God that Jesus exhorted His disciples to proclaim, it is good to note that it included a commandment to heal the sick and cast out demons. When you look at several places in the Bible, you can find out from them this thing, as well as God's will to touch the afflicted. Jesus certainly wouldn't have given this commandment if it hadn't been God's plan and will:

- (Matt 10:1,8) And when he had called to 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.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.

- (Mark 6:7,12,13) And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

- (Luke 10:1,2,8,9) After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, where he himself would come.

2 Therefore said he to them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.

8 And into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them, The kingdom of God is come near to you.

- (John 14:12,13) Truly, truly, I say to you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.

13 And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

- (Mark 16:15,20) And he said to them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

- (Acts 5:16) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

- (Acts 8:5-7) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

- (Acts 28:7-9) In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

Jesus' admonition to the disciples to heal the sick is only one side of the matter. According to the Bible, the gifts of healing should be one part of the church's activities. Paul, the most industrious of the Apostles, exhorted the Corinthians to seek them and other gifts. Through them, people receive help, but they are also an indication of God's will to heal the sick. Otherwise, these gifts would certainly not have been given:

- (1 Cor 12:8,9) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

- (1 Cor 12:28,31) And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I to you a more excellent way.

- (1 Cor 14:1) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.

Other verses in the New Testament. When studying the New Testament, it is possible to find several references to God's will to heal the sick. The most obvious of them is the activity of Jesus and the apostles on earth, because a very large part of their task was to provide help to the sick. Likewise, freeing people from evil powers was part of their activities.

    Moreover, it is possible to find other verses that refer to the same. Some of them appear in the letters of different authors (John, James, Peter and the author of Hebrews, i.e. probably Paul), while the first of the following passages appears in the Acts of the Apostles. The remarkable thing about this passage in the Acts of the Apostles is that when the disciples asked God to stretch out their hand and that the sick would be healed, God was pleased with this prayer. As a result, the place where they were gathered shook and the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit:

- (Acts 4:29-31) And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word,

30 By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

- (3 John 2) Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

- (Jam 5:14-16) 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:

15 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.

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

- (Hebr 12:12,13) Why lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

5. Receiving healing

While the subject of the previous chapter was God's will to heal, the subject of this chapter is receiving healing. The purpose is to explain this area, the meaning of the promises and what things should be taken into account. Although we can never determine when the healing will appear; whether it comes in a minute, a day or even a month, it's still worth looking for it and studying God's promises in this area. For many may have been healed through faith simply by hearing or reading. They may have been healed merely by reading about the Promises of Healing from the Bible or hearing a sermon or by seeing others being healed. Good examples are the following cases:

Their activity in Bradford was successful, and they had to rent larger and larger assembly rooms. Finally, they got a fairly spacious building on Bowland Street. A picture of a scroll was drawn behind the pulpit on the wall with the following letters on it: "I am the Lord, who heals you.” Over the years, many shared how they had been healed by the inspiration they got from those words. (19)

Almost daily, we get to hear in our awakening meetings testimonies about how the Lord has healed sick people when they were sitting in their chairs and listening to the Gospel. (…)

It is the Word of God that creates faith in healing. We have had the joy of witnessing hundreds of people being healed when they have listened to the truth of God regarding healing. Others have been healed after reading our printed instructions that answered their questions and removed the barriers to their faith. (20)

On our Gospel crusades around the world, I have seen tens of thousands of people who have suffered from illnesses being completely healed in our meetings while listening to the sermon.

   The preached word always bears faith when it is received in faith. (21)

One time, we arranged a series of meetings in a vacation area. The last evening many had high faith in God because they had seen miracles take place all week. That evening, the Holy Spirit whispered quietly to me, "Let them know that this evening all people who are sitting in wheelchairs will rise and start to walk!”

When I KNOW that I have heard the voice of the Holy Spirit, I become very enthusiastic. Therefore, I told the hearers in advance what would take place. When the Holy Spirit told me "Now!”, I simply said, "I command each wheelchair patient to rise right now and to walk here to the front of the hall in the name of Jesus!”

  The next sixty seconds were probably the longest sixty seconds of my life because nobody moved! Finally, when to me it felt like an hour had passed, a woman who sat in a wheelchair closest to the stage rose and started to walk towards us. She had taken only two or three steps when faith arose in the man who was sitting behind her, and he also rose and started to walk!

   One after another all those who had sat in wheelchairs rose and started to walk that evening, seven people in all! Then a young girl who had foot supports came to us. When Charles and I laid our hands on her, her mother took the supports off and the girl started to walk normally!

   When we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we will get to see many exciting things happen, for example, a whole series of miracles! Hallelujah! (…)

   This was the crippled child who had never before walked without foot supports!

The gift of faith was not only given, but ALL also received it! (22)

FACT, FAITH, AND EXPERIENCE. When seeking healing, it is good to remember that three things are closely associated with healing: fact, faith, and experience.  If these things are not in the right order, the result will be a stumble, as can be seen from the following example given by Watchman Nee. Stumbling can take place especially when faith starts to follow experience without paying attention to facts:

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor 5:7). Perhaps you know the story of fact, faith, and experience walking high up on a wall. Fact went faithfully forward, not looking right, left, or behind. Faith followed, and all went well, as long as faith fixed his eyes on fact. But when faith turned around and looked to see if experience was following, it stumbled and dropped from the wall together with poor old experience. (23)

1. Fact

- (Matt 4:7) Jesus said to him, It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.

- (1 John 2:14) I have written to you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God stays in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

The first phase in seeking healing is fact, which naturally means the word of God. From the Word, we can search for the promises of healing and what Jesus has done for us. The word of God, which is the truth (John 17:17: Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.), is the most important criterion in this area and we should agree with it. It is difficult to believe in healing and to expect it if there is no foundation for it. Only from the word of the Bible and from its many promises can we find this foundation.

   The next verses describe faith and explain how it comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. It is a question of salvation but also of healing, because our faith can increase when reading promises from the word of God:

- (Rom 10:14,17) 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?

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Some of the facts concerning healing were mentioned in the previous chapter. The most important of them is the fact that in addition to our sins, Jesus carried our illnesses on the cross and by his wounds we are healed:

- (Isa 53:4) Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

- (Isa 53:5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed.

- (Isa 53:10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

- (Matt 8:16-17) When the even was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.

- (1 Peter 2:24) Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.

Another equally important thing in terms of healing is that it is God's will to heal the sick. When Jesus, who is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8), wanted the sick to be healed when He was on earth, we can expect it from Him even now. All we have to do is turn to Him and expect it from Him as people in His time expected it:

- (Matt 8:5-7) And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lies at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him.

- (Mark 1:40-42) And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If you will, you can make me clean.

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and said to him, I will; be you clean.

42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

2. Faith. The second important factor when searching for healing is faith. Faith should be based on the fact above: the Lord is our healer (Ex. 15:26) and on other healing promises found in the Bible.

    Usually, problems arise when we don't look at the fact, that is, the Word, but start staring at ourselves; "Do I have enough faith?" or has there been any change for the better? We may constantly explore the third stage, feeling and healing, even though we should stick to the fact all the time.

    In any case, when God often responds to a person's faith in the area of healing, it is good to find out what it is and what it is not. The following points can be mentioned in this area:

The opposite of emotions and seeing

- (Hebr 11:1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

- (2 Cor 5:7) For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Firstly, faith is always the opposite of emotion and physical sight. They can never be simultaneously valid, as the verses above indicate. Faith is not needed when something has changed into seeing and emotion; faith is needed when emotions and symptoms indicate just the opposite. We should understand that they are always opposites and this is how it should be when we are seeking healing.

   A good example of this is seen in the life of “the father of faith," Abraham. He did not pay any attention to his body, which was deteriorating all the time; neither did he pay attention to Sarah, whose womb was already dead. Instead, he paid attention to the stars and the promise of God therein.

   In the same way, if we seek healing now, we should not pay attention to our five senses and emotions, but to the word of God. If we do this, we can surely expect more healing from God:

 - (Gen 15:5,6) And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if you be able to number them: and he said to him, So shall your seed be.

6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

- (Rom 4:18-19) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be.

19 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 Sarah’s womb:

No effort. The second point that is important to understand about faith, is that it is not about effort, work, and squeezing faith from ourselves: it is about receiving. Through Jesus our healing has already been delivered; there is no need to earn it or work for it. We can just receive it. It is like a gift: if we do not reject it but agree to receive it, it will be given to us. It is true that we can never know when healing appear, but we can receive this gift from God because of the fulfilled work of Jesus:

- (John 19:30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The promises of God. The third important thing in the area of faith is to understand that it is not a question of confidence in one's own potential, but in God and Jesus, who keeps his promises. We trust, for example, in the coming of Jesus, or that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and the same goes for healing: we believe that the will of God is to heal people because His word says so.

   Healing is very similar to a mother promising her little girl a new coat and the girl rejoicing over it before she has received it. She is happy about the coat even before they actually go shopping, because she believes her mother’s promise to be reliable and has no doubt. She believes in much the same way that we can believe God’s promises regarding our healing:

One person who didn't understand faith, told me, "It looks like I don’t have enough faith to be healed.” I asked, "Do you trust God to keep His promises to you?”

   "Of course," he assured.

   "It is faith," I assured him and added, "Isn't it simple?” And so he was healed. (24)

 - (Gen 15:5,6) And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if you be able to number them: and he said to him, So shall your seed be.

6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.He took him outside and said,

- (Num 23:19) God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: has he said, and shall he not do it? or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

- (1 King 8:56) Blessed be the LORD, that has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there has not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

- (Acts 27:25) Why, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

- (Rom 4:20,21) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

- (Hebr 11:11) Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

- (Gal 3:6) Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

3. Experience or healing. The third phase when seeking for healing is experience. In this phase, we are dependent on God, knowing that we can never determine the moment of healing. Sometimes it can happen after a day, sometimes a week, sometimes a month or some other time.

   It is good to note that Abraham did not immediately see God's promise fulfilled either, but had to wait for it. However, he finally got what had been promised:

- (Hebr 6:13-15) For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself,

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

DO NOT LOOK AT YOURSELF! When we want to receive healing, it is important that we do not look at our symptoms and at ourselves – the same goes for salvation.  It is very common for us in both areas to observe ourselves and our feelings instead of always throwing the "ship's anchor" outside to Christ, his completed work and God's promises. Obviously, if this latter thing does not happen, then it will be quite impossible to achieve faith in the promises in either area.

    There is no other advice for self-observation than to once again turn our heart's gaze to Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. We should keep in mind that when Moses made the bronze snake in the desert, people had to look at it in order to be healed from snakebites. They could not look at the symptoms of their disease at the same time, they only looked at the bronze snake. Then they were healed.

   When we look at the sacrificial lamb in the New Covenant (John 3:14-15) – Jesus Christ – we can expect to be healed. It may take a while for healing to occur, but it will occur, if we have given up our life to Christ and look to Him for our healing:

- (Num 21:9) And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it on 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 same subject is well illustrated by the two examples below. They show how healing can come when it is expected from God:

Linda Graaf-Bergling: I remember suffering from a rheumatic ache for many years. Occasionally, it was so hard for me that I couldn’t rise from the chair I was sitting on. My knees and arms swelled so that I could hardly walk. I experienced such continuous and wasting pain, and often I had to fight against melancholy and worry. 

   This was about seven years ago. I had started to get some teaching about how through faith I can receive the healing on grounds of what Jesus already has done for me on the Calvary. I remember the moment when I knelt and received the healing power of God. I didn’t feel anything in my body. The ache was still there. The devil laughed at me and brought to my mind all kinds of pictures he had invented from my illness. He wanted to steal the assurance of my heart of healing. But I turned my eyes away from the symptoms. With the mind’s eye, I formed a new picture concerning the future instead of the picture of illness. I saw myself healthy. I said to myself when the pain came back, "The power of God affects in me. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead and that is stronger than the power of the illness.” When I praised and thanked God for my healing – which I have not yet experienced – health was slowly but surely freed in my body. I was already healed IN MY HEART, even though there were still symptoms in my body. Inside, I saw the promises of God as if fulfilled. I don’t even remember exactly the day when all the symptoms were gone and I had completely recovered. (25)

Joyce Meyer: One day, when I was reading a book on my bed, a sudden pain struck my foot. I have an inflamed bunion, and now and then it starts acting up. When the pain struck my foot I said, “I rebuke this pain in the name of Jesus. Through his wounds, I have been healed. Through the power of his blood, I have been made healthy and I don’t have this pain.”

   Another wave of pain immediately struck my foot and I said again, "In the name of Jesus, I have been healed and I am healthy.”

   It was like a duel. I quoted something positive from the word of God, and the pain struck again after it. I thought to myself, "I don't care even if I have to lie here all day long repeating these words, for in any case I am going to win.”

   Then I said aloud, "I am healed through the wounds of Jesus. This pain must end.”

   I lay on my bed and whenever the pain struck, I struck Satan with the word of God. Quite soon the pain ended, and I was fully in peace for the rest of the day. (26)

EXPECT HEALING! When we seek healing, it is important that we expect to receive it. If we pray for healing yet never expect to receive it, then it makes no sense to pray. Are we not just saying the words in vain?

   Let’s study this subject in light of the next two examples. In “Receiving the seed of healing” and "Health to a man’s whole body" we will learn that after receiving healing, there can be a time of waiting that God alone knows:

Receiving the seed of healing

- (Luke 8:11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

- (Ps 107:20) He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

A good example of delayed healing is found in a woman’s receiving a seed from a man into her ovum. Even though she receives this seed and is expecting a baby, she cannot tell when the baby will actually be born. However, she believes strongly that one day the child will be born and that her belief will change into fact, even though she does not know the exact moment. She may already be rejoicing over this matter and feel grateful.

   One good example of this kind of an attitude is Mary. She rejoiced in advance and thanked God for making His promise come true. She considered God’s word to be a sure thing and glorified God for it:

- (Luke 2:19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

- (Luke 1:45,46) And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

46 And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord,

In the same way, when you receive "the seed of healing," hold onto it and expect for it to “be born” and produce fruit at some moment in the future. Wait for it to arrive at a date and time that only God knows.

Health to a man’s whole body. In the previous paragraph, we talked about how a seed can have its own time of growth before anything is seen. The same applies when we take ordinary medicine. It will take some time for the medicine to saturate our body and have an effect on us.

  The word of God can act in the same way as "medicine” or can be “health to all their flesh." When it is received, the duration of the healing action can vary. Sometimes healing takes place quite soon and sometimes after a longer time. However, if God’s medicine has been received, we can have faith in its effects:

- (Pro 4:20-22) My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the middle of your heart.

22 For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

When we consider the story about ten lepers, we see that the "medicine" didn’t heal them immediately; they went away as lepers and were cleansed a while later. Their health was not restored immediately, but later:

- (Luke 17:12-14) And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when he saw them, he said to them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

THE MEANS AND THE TIME OF HEALING. Expecting healing can be compared to a seed that has been planted but cannot be immediately harvested.

  It is like planting a potato in the ground: the potato will not grow instantly; it takes a few weeks. During this time, we can do nothing but wait, and expect that the "God that gives the increase" (1 Cor 3:7) will cause fruit to grow.

  There are different ways to receive “the seed of healing” from God. The New Testament teaches us that healing can be associated with the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and using prayer linen. All of these were used to help people heal. 

- (Mark 6:5) And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands on a few sick folk, and healed them.

- (Luke 4:40) Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

- (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;

18 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.

- (Mark 6:12,13) And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

- (Jam 5:14,15) 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:

15 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.

- (Acts 19:11,12) And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

It is important to learn that each of us can use these same means. Lay your hand on the sick place or anoint it with oil, because God does not show favouritism (Romans 2:11). If you do these procedures yourself, you can also look at the time on the clock when you believed that you had received the "seed of healing".

   The next quote well illustrates how many people have received healing after the healing gesture:

I often encourage people to look at their watch when I lay my hands on them, no matter what they feel at the moment, and to believe that they have received. I have seen how people have been healed from long-term cancer and other difficult illnesses. Even though they may not have felt anything at that moment, they have simply looked at their watch and said, "Praise to the Lord, I receive my healing at this instant.” And later, the healing appeared also in their bodies. (27)

YOU CAN ALSO THANK! When we receive something from God, we should thank Him for all that we receive from Him. We should also thank Him when we have not yet received a concrete response; like the child who rejoices and thanks her mother in advance for a coat that has been promised to her. She rejoices over it, because she considers the word of her mother to be fully reliable and has no doubt at all. That is why she can thank her mother in advance for what has already been promised to her.

   It is important to note that our words by themselves have no healing power. We cannot earn our own healing. We can only thank Him because we believe God’s promise to be fully reliable. We confirm with our words that we believe God’s promises: 

- (Ps 107:20) He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

- (Ps 103:1-3) Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases;

The importance of giving thanks can be seen in God’s promise to Abram. He changed Abram’s name to Abraham (“father of many nations”) long before Sarah became pregnant and before there was any hope that he would have descendants. Abraham received this name when the promise had not yet been fulfilled in fact.

   You, too, can “change your name" by rejoicing and thanking God now, before your healing becomes evident. See yourself as being healthy (running or otherwise active), and thank God that this really will come true. It is true that we cannot always know the precise moment when healing occurs, just as Abraham did not know in the beginning that moment when Isaac would be born:

- (Gen 17:5) Neither shall your name any more be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made you.