Healing

1. HEALING WAS PART OF JESUS’ MINISTRY:

Matthew 4:23–24   Jesus went … healing all manner of sickness and disease

Matthew 9:35   Healing every sickness and disease among the people

Matthew 12:15   Great multitudes followed him and he healed them all

  (See also Matthew 15:30; 21:14; Acts 10:38.)

2. GOD’S HEALING PROMISES ARE STILL VALID TODAY:

Malachi 3:6   I am the Lord, I change not

Mark 16:17–18   These signs shall follow them that believe; lay hands on the sick and they shall recover

John 14:12–14   He that believeth on me, the works I do shall he do

1 Corinthians 12:7,9   To another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit

Hebrews 13:8   Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever

James 5:14–15   Is any sick among you? Call elders … let them pray

3. IT IS WITHIN GOD’S WILL TO HEAL:

A. Scriptural authority for asking for healing:

Exodus 15:26   I am the Lord that healeth thee

Deuteronomy 7:15   The Lord will take away from thee all sickness

Psalm 84:11   No good thing will he withhold from them

Psalm 103:3   [He] forgiveth all iniquities, healeth all thy diseases

Psalm 107:20   He sent his word, and healed them

Jeremiah 30:17   For I will restore health unto thee, and will heal

Malachi 4:2   Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings

Matthew 10:1   He gave them power … to heal all manner of sickness and … disease

Mark 1:40–41   Lord, if thou wilt … Jesus saith, I will; be thou clean

Acts 9:34   Jesus Christ maketh thee whole

James 5:15   The prayer of faith shall save the sick … and the Lord shall raise him up

  (See also Ezekiel 34:16; 3 John 1:2.)

B. God prefers not to afflict; He’d rather heal:

Psalm 22:24   He hath not despised … affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him

Lamentations 3:33   He doth not afflict willingly

Hebrews 12:13   Let it rather be healed

C. Jesus’ physical suffering paid for our healing:

Isaiah 53:5   He was wounded … with his stripes we are healed

Matthew 8:16–17   Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses

1 Corinthians 11:23–24  This is my body, which is broken for you  157 healing

1 Corinthians 11:29–30  Not discerning Lord’s body … many are weak and sickly

1 Peter 2:24   By whose stripes ye were healed

4. NOTHING IS TOO SERIOUS FOR GOD TO HEAL:

Jeremiah 32:17   Ah Lord God! There is nothing too hard for thee

Jeremiah 32:27   I am the Lord … is there anything too hard for me?

Psalm 34:19   The Lord delivereth him out of them [afflictions] all

Psalm 103:3   Who healeth all thy diseases

Matthew 10:1   Power to … heal all manner of sickness, and all disease

Matthew 19:26   With God all things are possible

Mark 9:23   All things are possible to him that believeth

Luke 1:37   With God, nothing shall be impossible

Luke 5:17   The power of the Lord was present to heal them

5. CONDITIONS FOR HEALING:

2 Kings 20:5   I have … seen thy tears, behold, I will heal thee

2 Chronicles 7:14   If my people humble themselves, and pray and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear and heal

Isaiah 19:22   They shall return to the Lord … and he shall heal them

Isaiah 58:6–8   [Help others:] Then thine health … spring forth speedily

Hosea 6:1   Come, let us return … and he will heal us

James 5:16   Confess your faults … and pray one for another, that ye may be healed

6. PRACTICAL STEPS FOR OBTAINING HEALING:

A. Begin with a clean heart; unconfessed sin will hinder faith:

Psalm 66:18–19   If I regard iniquity in my heart, Lord will not hear

Proverbs 28:13   He that covereth his sins shall not prosper

James 5:16   Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another

1 John 3:21   If our heart condemn us not, then have we [faith]

  (See also 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 51:10; 139:23; 1 John 1:8–9.)

B. Prepare by memorising promises; find authority in God’s Word, and faith will come:

Joshua 23:14   Not one thing hath failed of all that … God spake

1 Kings 8:56   Hath not failed one word of all his good promise

Proverbs 7:2–3   Write [My commandments] upon table of thine heart

Matthew 24:35   Heaven and earth shall pass away, but [not] my words

Romans 10:17   Faith cometh by hearing the word of God

2 Corinthians 1:20   All the promises of God in him are yea and … amen

2 Peter 1:4   Great and precious promises: by these ye might partake

C. Be definite:

Isaiah 45:11   Concerning the work of my hands, command ye me

James 1:6–8   Ask in faith, nothing wavering

D. Expect results from God:

Mark 11:23–24   Whoever … shall believe … shall have whatsoever he saith … When ye pray, believe that ye receive and ye shall have

Hebrews 4:16   Come boldly … and find grace to help in time of need

Hebrews 11:6   He that cometh to God must believe … he is a rewarder

E. Accept God’s decision:

Joshua 7:10   Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?

Luke 1:38   Mary said, “Be it unto me according to thy word”

F. Stand your ground in faith and trust:

Numbers 23:19   God is not a man, that he should lie. Hath he said, and shall he not do it?

Psalm 112:7   Not be afraid of evil tidings … trusting in the Lord

Acts 27:25   I believe God, that it shall be even as was told me

Romans 3:4   Let God be true, but every man a liar

Romans 4:19–21   Being fully persuaded that what he had promised

Galatians 6:9   In due season we shall reap, if we faint not

Ephesians 4:27   Neither give place to the devil [his doubts and lies]

Ephesians 6:13   Withstand … and having done all, stand

Ephesians 6:16   Taking the shield of faith … to quench fiery darts

Hebrews 10:23   Hold fast [your] faith without wavering; he is faithful that promised

Hebrews 10:35–36   Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise

1 Peter 1:7   The trial of your faith … more precious than gold

  (See also Proverbs 24:10; John 2:8.)

G. Real faith puts into action what it believes:

2 Kings 5:1,9–14   [Naaman obeyed Elisha, dipped in the Jordan, and was healed]

2 Chronicles 20:21–22   [When they went forth singing and praising God for the victory, He performed the miracle]

Matthew 14:28–29   [Peter believed Jesus and stepped out on the water]

Mark 2:11–12   Take up thy bed, and go … and immediately he arose

Mark 3:1,5   [A man stretches out his withered hand and is healed]

Luke 17:14   As they went, they were cleansed [healed]

John 4:47–53   Believed the word Jesus had spoken … and went his way

2 Corinthians 5:7   For we walk by faith, not by sight

James 2:17–26   As body without spirit … faith without works is dead

H. Thank Him for hearing and answering your prayer:

Luke 17:15–16   When he saw that he was healed … fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks

Romans 4:20   He was strong in faith, giving glory to God

7. PRAY FOR THE SICK:

A. Pray for healing in Jesus’ name:

(See John 14:13–14; Acts 3:6; 4:10; 9:34.)

B. Laying hands on and touching the sick:

Mark 16:18   They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover

Luke 4:40   He laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them

  (See also Matthew 9:29; Mark 3:10; 5:28; 6:56; 7:33–35; Luke 5:13; 6:19; 22:51.)

C. Anointing with oil for healing:

(See Mark 6:13; James 5:14.)

D. The power of united, group prayer:

Deuteronomy 32:30   One [shall] chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight

Matthew 18:19–20   If two of you shall agree [in prayer] … it shall be done

E. Who should pray for the sick:

Luke 8:50–51   [Have the unbelieving leave the room before you pray]

James 5:14–16   Call for the elders … and let them pray over him. The fervent … prayer of a righteous man availeth much

8. FIGHT IN THE SPIRIT FOR HEALING:

Matthew 17:19–21   [Unusual, stubborn sicknesses require extra faith and prayer and fasting]

1 Timothy 6:12   Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life

A. Sing and praise:

(See also Psalm 34:1; 51:15; 66:17; 77:2,10–11; 109:30.)

B. Quote Scripture:

Matthew 4:3–10   He answered and said, “It is written…”

Ephesians 6:17   Take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

9. REASONS WHY GOD ALLOWS AFFLICTIONS AND ILLNESSES:

A. To keep us righteous and close to Him:

Psalm 34:19   Many are the afflictions of the righteous

Psalm 119:71   It is good for me that I have been afflicted

2 Corinthians 12:7   Lest I should be exalted … given a thorn in the flesh

Hebrews 12:6,11   Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth

Revelation 3:19   As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten

B. To glorify God when He heals:

Matthew 15:31   The multitude wondered … and they glorified God

John 9:1–3   [The blind man’s healing was to glorify God]

Acts 9:36–42   It was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed

C. Sickness is often caused by sin:

Psalm 38:2–5   My wounds stink and are corrupt … because of my sin … because of my foolishness

Psalm 107:17   Fools, because of their … iniquities, are afflicted

Psalm 119:67   Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now

Proverbs 26:2   The curse causeless shall not come

  (See also Numbers 12:1–15; 1 Samuel 5:1–12; 25:2–11,37–38; 2 Chronicles 21:9–19; 26:16–21; Acts 12:21–23.)

D. Some sickness is an attack of the Devil:

Matthew 9:32–33   When the devil was cast out, the dumb spake

Mark 9:17–20,25   [Jesus rebuked an unclean spirit, healing a child]

Luke 13:11,13,16   This woman … whom Satan hath bound 18 years

Acts 10:38   Healing all that were oppressed of the devil

E. To teach and to test us:

Job 2:3–7   [The Devil was allowed to afflict Job to test him]

Job 5:17–18   Behold, happy is man whom God correcteth

Psalm 94:12   Blessed is the man whom thou chasteneth and teachest

2 Corinthians 4:17   [Our temporary afflictions teach us eternal lessons]

F. Emotional or physiological causes:

Psalm 147:3   He healeth the broken in heart, bindeth their wounds

Proverbs 11:17   He that is cruel troubleth his own flesh

Proverbs 14:30   Envy [is] the rottenness of the bones

Proverbs 15:13   By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken

Proverbs 17:22   A broken spirit drieth the bones

Proverbs 18:14   A wounded spirit who can bear?

G. God will show you the reason if you ask Him:

1 Samuel 6:3   Then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you

Job 36:9–11   Then he sheweth them their … transgressions

Philippians 3:15   God shall reveal even this unto you  161 healing

H. How to help from getting sick:

Exodus 15:26   If thou wilt diligently hearken … I will put none of these diseases upon thee

Psalm 91:9–10   Because thou hast made the Lord thy … habitation

Proverbs 4:20,22   Attend to my words … they are health to [your] flesh

I. Physical reasons for sickness:

Exodus 8:24   The land was corrupted by the swarm of flies

Proverbs 23:3   Be not desirous of dainties: they are deceitful meat

Proverbs 23:29–35   [Eating unclean meats, seafood, etc.]

Proverbs 25:16,27   [Overindulgence in sweets:] Not good to eat much honey

Mark 7:3–4   [Lack of cleanliness: Jews washed often, lived long]

Romans 1:24–27   [Unclean or perverted sex]

Philippians 2:27,30   [Overdoing physically:] Sick … not regarding his life

10. POINTS TO REMEMBER AFTER PRAYER:

A. Reasons why we’re sometimes not healed:

Isaiah 59:1–2   The Lord’s hand is not shortened, but your sins have separated you

Hosea 5:15   I will return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence

2 Corinthians 12:7–9  [Paul prayed 3 times to be healed, but the Lord left him with a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble]

Hebrews 10:36   After ye have done the will of God ye [shall] receive the promise

James 1:3   The trying of your faith worketh patience

1 Peter 1:7   Trial of your faith [is] much more precious than gold

B. Testify publicly about your healing:

Job 36:24   Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold

Psalm 107:2   Let the redeemed of the Lord say so

Mark 5:19   Go home to thy friends and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee

Acts 4:10   Be it known unto you all, that by the name of Jesus … doth this man stand here before you whole

  (See also Psalm 22:22,25; 35:18; 107:31–32.)

C. Obey God once healed, or your sickness may return:

John 5:14   Thou art made whole, sin no more, lest a worse thing

Psalm 85:8   But let them not turn again to folly

11. MIRACULOUS OR NATURAL HEALING?

A. Doctors don’t always have the answers:

2 Chronicles 16:12–13  Asa was diseased in his feet … he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. And Asa died

Psalm 118:8   Better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man

Jeremiah 46:11   In vain shalt thou use many medicines … not be cured

Mark 5:25–26   Suffered many things of many physicians … grew worse

  (See also Hosea 5:13.)

B. Doctors and medicines can help:

Proverbs 17:22   A merry heart doeth good like a medicine

Luke 10:34   He bound up his wounds … pouring in oil and wine

C. God ordained natural remedies:

2 Kings 20:1–7   Take a lump of figs … lay it on the boil (See also Isaiah 38:21.)

Jeremiah 51:8   Take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed

Ezekiel 47:12   And the leaf thereof [shall be] for medicine

1 Timothy 5:23   Use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and … infirmities

D. Eat wholesome, nourishing food:

Psalm 103:5   [God] saftisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s

12. NO SICKNESS IN HEAVEN:

1 Corinthians 15:42–43  So is the resurrection … It is sown in corruption, raised in incorruption: sown in weakness …  raised in power

  (See also Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 21:4.)