And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (2Cor. 2:1-5)
Unfortunately, there is not much talk today about God’s supernatural healing. However, it is part of the atonement and very clearly taught in the scripture. I’m going to share with you at least 7 scriptural ways that healing comes to believers.
1 The elders of the church can anoint with oil, pray for them and they may be healed. “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (Jac. 5:14-16 )
I feel certain that there are testimonies from those of you reading this about healing taking place thru this scriptural obedient act of faith.
2 God’s people can cast out demons, they can lay hands on each other in prayer, ask God for healing and people may be healed. (Mk. 16:17) “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; … they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Remarkably, I have seen hundreds healed by casting out devils. Many, many times they are the source of the sickness. In my experience, it is more the casting out of the sickness and the demons causing it than the laying on of hands. Somehow in this remarkable part of what we call the great commission, we find that “casting out demons and laying of hands on the sick” gets lost in the haste to speak with other tongues, Christians want a gift that will show how spiritual they are. Sadly, this is true in many charismatic circles.
3 God may grant someone the gift of healing with authority to minister healing to others. “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit…” (1Cor. 12:9)
Obviously, not every believer has every gift of the Spirit. God decides and God divides the gifts. However, some have the gift of Healing in many aspects, medical doctors fall into this category. Everyone wants healing. King Hezekiah wanted healing of a terminal illness. God showed Isaiah what formula to use to apply healing ointment.
4 God may grant healing in response to the faith of the person who desires healing. “But Jesus turned Him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” (Mt. 9:22)
While faith may always be a factor, in this case it was THE factor. Jesus clearly said “Your faith has made you whole.” It was her faith and her actions based upon her faith! It may come as a result of someone else’s faith but in this case, it was the individuals own faith…not that Jesus could heal, but that he would!
5 God may grant healing to someone on behalf of the faith of others. “And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” (Mk. 2:45)
This should always be an encouragement for believers to pray for and believe for others. Though faith again is an issue, Jesus acted upon “their” faith. Believing God for someone else. What great compassion.
6 God often heals through medical treatment. “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and your often infirmities.” (1Tim. 5:23) When I am dealing with my personal aches and pains, I always approach the problem thru prayer and commands to demons, first. Then medical advice.
“And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” (Lk. 10:34) In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Inn Keeper poured in oil and wine to administer to the wounds of this man.
2King. 20:7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. I think most of us have experienced healing thru the hands of a medical professional. It is no less of a miracle. I am just as grateful to God regardless of the method of the healing. Hezekiah had been pronounced with terminal illness, by God’s prophet.
7 God performs sovereign acts of mercy to heal. He takes the initiative; He does the work. “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he said unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus said unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked…” (Jn. 5:5-9)
Thank God for His incredible mercy and timing. I’m certain this man had prayed; I feel certain that others had prayed for him but in this case Jesus just stopped by! The man wanted healing and had some expectation of it, maybe he did all he knew to do. Sometimes it is simply a sovereign act of mercy and grace that our healing comes. The common denominator is always Jesus. He’s the healer!
As you read these scriptural truths, I pray you are encouraged and that your faith is stirred to some action. I, by faith, pray healing for everyone who reads these words. Blessings.
Just for Jesus,
Don