Jeff Pate
08-17-2008, 05:58 PM
This article is a continuation of a reply post within my article "What if?" concerning what God's Word teaches about healing. In order to get the entire context of this post, you may want to read the previous post, my replies and others' comments/questions. Thanks for stopping by...
What 'categories' of 'sickness' do you mean?
The Word of God says ALL MANNER OF SICKNESS AND DISEASE. ALL means exactly what it means--to the exclusion of NONE. This includes: ALL MANNER OF SICKNESS, DISEASE, AILMENTS, BLINDNESS, DEAFNESS, RETARDATION, LAMENESS, REPRODUCTIVE INABILITIES, BODY DEFORMITIES, MENTAL ILLNESS, etc.
What 'sicknesses' have you seen people healed of, through faith in God's healing power?
After hearing the good news of God's healing, I was healed of an L-5 herniated disk in my back. I was healed of being lactose intolerant (was for eight years). I was healed of chronic kidney infections. I've spoken to pain, bleeding, sickness, rashes, injuries and commanded them in the name of Jesus to be healed and it works. I certainly don't do this perfectly, but I'm constantly remembering God's benefits of not only forgiveness of ALL sins (vital to being healed because condemnation produces unbelief and hinders the flow of God's power) but the healing of ALL diseases. In the last five and half years, sickness has not prevailed in my life. I've had sickness come upon me on two occasions and within a short period of time (a day or two) I am completely well and without symptoms.
The teaching of the Lord's supper is a teaching on healing and remembering God's benefits as listed in Psalm 103. The Scripture (1 Corinthians 11) says that this was the reason the Corinthians were so sick and died untimely deaths... was because they were not discerning the body of Jesus that was given for sickness. The blood was for sin (spiritual healing), and the body was for physical problems (sickness, etc.) When one examines the Scriptures, and their eyes are opened, these things become remarkably clear.
However, YOU must believe this for the Word of God to work in your life. I cannot believe for anyone else in the sense that although I can bring healing to a person through my faith (the person receiving it too must believe) but in order for healing to be maintained, the person must walk in revelation of this for themselves--and get the Word deeply rooted in their hearts, which takes time.
Here's something to ponder... the reason the serpent chose Eve to tempt was because he knew she had heard the Word of God second-hand, from her husband Adam, and NOT directly from God. A person who has revelation directly from God is no where near as susceptible as a person who has just "heard" the word and has not meditated, pondered, and considered it to the degree that it becomes alive and deeply rooted in their heart. The Lord said, And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. We think we know the truth, but if we're not yet free, then we don't know it fully because the Lord said the truth would automatically make you free. It SHALL make you free.
Sadly, because we think healing is mystical, we think once it happens a person can't "lose their healing" but they can, just as they can forget what the Word teaches. The Lord taught this in the parable of the sower and the seed. You will see from the entire word of God how the Lord stresses "remembering" , "not forgetting" and "meditating" on the Word of God because as He said to Joshua, This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth (referring to words you speak) but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then you shall make your way prosperous and then you shall have good success. [Joshua 1:8]
You want to be prosperous and successful in healing and health? You have to meditate, speak, and then be a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only deceiving yourselves.
Moreover, in regards to healing, most people are so focused on a manifestation that they take their eyes off God's Word that makes them healed. The proof of healing is NOT in a manifestation or elimination of symptoms (although this is expected as faith expects results) but the proof of healing is God's Word alone. Sadly, because many may either see their symptoms change or not, they govern truth based on the symptoms rather than the Word of God. This is a grave mistake of transferring one's faith to a symptom from God's word. Jonah called this "lying vanities."
They who observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. [Jonah 2:9]
People forsake the mercy of healing because they focus upon symptoms instead of the Word of God--Jesus in particular. I see this time and time again when someone questions the veracity of healing and says, "I was healed, but a few months later, I lost it and the sickness came back." I say, "What about the Word of God has changed?" They answer, "Nothing. The Word of God does not change." And I said, "There you go... focus on the Word of God that says you are healed, and you will remain healed. Otherwise, when you focus on carnal things, you open the door for death." For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [Romans 8:6]
I've seen hundreds of people healed of various things. I used to work in a wireless phone store where I ministered the good news to the customers. One man came in with his wife and he had been in WWII in the engine room of a destroyer, and his hearing had been damaged. His ears had been ringing for the past 40 years and he could not hear very well at all. I showed him from the Word of God that Jesus had paid for his deafness and that He wanted his hearing restored. After about ten minutes of showing him what the Word of God says--NOT what I believe, but what God has SAID--I asked him if he wanted to be healed. He said, "Yes," and then I asked if he believed what I showed him. He said, "Yes," so I put my hands over his ears and commanded them to be healed, and they were. The ringing stopped immediately and he could hear clearly. That was all I said, "In Jesus' name, Ears, stop ringing and be healed!"
The man's wife was in tears and it was a glorious moment. Also, in my ministry I have seen many healed with physical manifestations... one being in a church where I had taught my teaching It is Finished! (http://www.bovministries.net/It_is_Finished.html) and the Lord told me there was a woman in the audience with a growth on the back of her neck. The woman came forward and showed me a large bump on the back of her neck. I had her friend put her hand on the growth and I simply said, "Growth on her neck, I command you to leave in the name of Jesus!" And the growth disappeared. Again, it was a glorious moment.
What happened next was even greater, that upon witnessing this miracle, a man came up to me to get born again. He'd heard the good news I preached and saw the power of God in action and he wanted this Jesus. Does this sound familiar at all? Sounds just like the way Jesus and the apostles did it. If you want the same results Jesus and the early Church had where they turned the world upside down, then I think it be wise to simply do what they did. The church today wants the results in the Book of Acts, but they do not want to conduct the same ministry. That's dumb to the 2nd power! DUMB-DUMB! And it's also the epitome of insanity--to do the same thing over and over, but yet expect different results.
Last week I met with a pastor for whom I am publishing a book, and he told me that four weeks ago, he raised a boy from the dead. He was in the hospital clinically dead with machines keeping him alive. He laid hands on him and commanded him to come back to life and be healed in Jesus' name and the boy is alive and completely well.
Some may say, "I don't believe it!" Again, I say, "It won't work for you then... because you have to believe it as the Lord said, "If you can believe; all things are possible to him who believes." [Mark 9:23]
I've learned that even in the face of testimonies and even those of raising someone from the dead, many people like our young friend who refuses to open her eyes to the truth, will not believe. Jesus predicted this so I am not surprised--grieved, but not surprised. Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. [Luke 16:29-31]
Many Christians will have some ailment.
Paul had a 'thorn in the flesh', perhaps we don't know what it was, God would not remove it.
While it's true that we see most Christians have some ailment in their body as much as they still struggle with sin, but again, the point of this initial teaching was that God's Word is TRUTH regardless of our experience. Although in the spirit, I have been healed of near-sightedness because this is what God's Word says, this healing has not yet manifested in my body--NOT because God is withholding something, but because of my own unbelief that is caused by my five senses. I'm not blaming God, and I'm not condemned at all. I know what God's will is, and I trust that to the degree that I meditate and remember on the Word of God that promises healing of my eyes, it will manifest. In fact, my vision has improved over the past two years, and I know it will continue to do so, provided I continue to believe. Moses lived to be 120 and his natural strength was not abated nor his vision dimmed (Deut. 34:7). And if Moses, under the Old covenant walked in this, surely we under the New covenant with better promises can!
However, I have not changed what the Word of God says, which was the purpose of this article. The Word of God is TRUTH regardless of our experience in and with it. Just because we're not seeing the promises of God in our lives, this doesn't mean that God is not able or willing or that they are not for everyone, or that He lied. It simply means that we have a problem with our receiver.
The illustration I gave about the television set... If you aren't receiving a picture, the first thing you do is make sure the set is plugged in; and then you make sure it's on, and on the right channel, and then perhaps the antenna or cable is not connected. But rarely do we go directly to the source of the signal for the problem, because we know that they are always broadcasting. There is no problem with God's broadcast--the problem lies with our receiver, our unrenewed mind.
Be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you can do what??? So that you may PROVE what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. [Romans 12:2]
The reason God's good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God is not being PROVEN in your life is because your mind has not been renewed to the truths of God's Word. So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. [Romans 10:17]
But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he who comes to God MUST believe that he is....
He is what? He is Who He says He is, "I Am the Lord that heals you" "I Am your righteousness" "I Am your provider" "I Am your Shepherd" "I Am your captain" "I Am there" "I Am your Peace"
...and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [Hebrews 11:6]
Paul's thorn in the flesh WAS NOT SICKNESS or a physical condition. Paul states very plainly what the thorn was... the messenger of Satan sent to buffet or torment him. The term "thorn in the flesh" was used several times in the Bible and ALWAYS referred to people who would cause problems with Israel, and NOT any physical ailment. Paul knew the Torah and prophets thoroughly and because he was a Jew, this was language he could communicate to people of Jewish background, and also to those who were not by saying, the messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above measure.
Paul did NOT have an issue with pride or conceit as the NIV would attempt to tell you. Rather, it was because of Paul's ministry--that he was being exalted by God and turning the world upside down--that he was such a threat to Satan. Let us remember that it was because of all the revelation from God that Paul was attacked, which gives us the basis for a "thorn in the flesh"... REVELATION to the degree where you could write over half the New Testament and preach the gospel to groups of people where because of such dramatic conversions, the people burned books and idols of the other gods they had served before hearing about Jesus. Even in Ephesus where this occurred, they worshiped Diana of the Ephesians where the religious practices were centered around young maidens performing sexual favors for men. Talk about a powerful gospel to get men to turn away from such things...
I challenge anyone to claim they have such revelation and are making such an impact to be "worthy" of such torment and persecution. The reason why no one else mentions a "thorn in the flesh" (not even any of the twelve apostles) and only Paul is because no one else was making the impact he was. So, if you're not making the same impact as Paul and don't have the same revelation, then you're exempt from the "thorn in the flesh" because this was the reason for it. Paul was being exalted by God (yes, by God!) to such a degree that he was attacked specifically through people and persecution and hardships, which is why the Lord said, My grace is sufficient for you.
I have a teaching called The Truth About Paul's Thorn in the Flesh (http://www.bovministries.net/Pauls_Thorn_in_the_Flesh.html) that goes into great detail about how this has been used to claim that God wants us sick or refuses to heal.
I have a damaged left lung, from too much heavy work landscaping, a resultant susceptibility to chest infections.
My wife has deterioration of her spine, caused by physical trauma, four births and probably some natural ageing - causing her a lot of pain on bad days.
Our nephew has terminal cancer of the pancreas and liver.
ALL of these things are NO PROBLEM for God. Jesus has paid for ALL these ailments and healing is offered to you through God's written revelation. Therefore, like the grace of God that brings salvation that has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11) the grace of God that brings healing (the word for salvation "soteria" means rescue or safety (physically or morally):—deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.) has appeared to all men, but in order for it to profit us, we must mix faith in it. Christ was not profiting the Galatian church because they were not remaining in the gospel (Galatians 5). The same is true for any Christian who is sick. You may be saved like they were, but Christ is not profiting you in the fullest extent.
I've written a lot and I debated just sending this to you privately, but this is so important for everyone to hear...
What 'categories' of 'sickness' do you mean?
The Word of God says ALL MANNER OF SICKNESS AND DISEASE. ALL means exactly what it means--to the exclusion of NONE. This includes: ALL MANNER OF SICKNESS, DISEASE, AILMENTS, BLINDNESS, DEAFNESS, RETARDATION, LAMENESS, REPRODUCTIVE INABILITIES, BODY DEFORMITIES, MENTAL ILLNESS, etc.
What 'sicknesses' have you seen people healed of, through faith in God's healing power?
After hearing the good news of God's healing, I was healed of an L-5 herniated disk in my back. I was healed of being lactose intolerant (was for eight years). I was healed of chronic kidney infections. I've spoken to pain, bleeding, sickness, rashes, injuries and commanded them in the name of Jesus to be healed and it works. I certainly don't do this perfectly, but I'm constantly remembering God's benefits of not only forgiveness of ALL sins (vital to being healed because condemnation produces unbelief and hinders the flow of God's power) but the healing of ALL diseases. In the last five and half years, sickness has not prevailed in my life. I've had sickness come upon me on two occasions and within a short period of time (a day or two) I am completely well and without symptoms.
The teaching of the Lord's supper is a teaching on healing and remembering God's benefits as listed in Psalm 103. The Scripture (1 Corinthians 11) says that this was the reason the Corinthians were so sick and died untimely deaths... was because they were not discerning the body of Jesus that was given for sickness. The blood was for sin (spiritual healing), and the body was for physical problems (sickness, etc.) When one examines the Scriptures, and their eyes are opened, these things become remarkably clear.
However, YOU must believe this for the Word of God to work in your life. I cannot believe for anyone else in the sense that although I can bring healing to a person through my faith (the person receiving it too must believe) but in order for healing to be maintained, the person must walk in revelation of this for themselves--and get the Word deeply rooted in their hearts, which takes time.
Here's something to ponder... the reason the serpent chose Eve to tempt was because he knew she had heard the Word of God second-hand, from her husband Adam, and NOT directly from God. A person who has revelation directly from God is no where near as susceptible as a person who has just "heard" the word and has not meditated, pondered, and considered it to the degree that it becomes alive and deeply rooted in their heart. The Lord said, And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. We think we know the truth, but if we're not yet free, then we don't know it fully because the Lord said the truth would automatically make you free. It SHALL make you free.
Sadly, because we think healing is mystical, we think once it happens a person can't "lose their healing" but they can, just as they can forget what the Word teaches. The Lord taught this in the parable of the sower and the seed. You will see from the entire word of God how the Lord stresses "remembering" , "not forgetting" and "meditating" on the Word of God because as He said to Joshua, This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth (referring to words you speak) but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then you shall make your way prosperous and then you shall have good success. [Joshua 1:8]
You want to be prosperous and successful in healing and health? You have to meditate, speak, and then be a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only deceiving yourselves.
Moreover, in regards to healing, most people are so focused on a manifestation that they take their eyes off God's Word that makes them healed. The proof of healing is NOT in a manifestation or elimination of symptoms (although this is expected as faith expects results) but the proof of healing is God's Word alone. Sadly, because many may either see their symptoms change or not, they govern truth based on the symptoms rather than the Word of God. This is a grave mistake of transferring one's faith to a symptom from God's word. Jonah called this "lying vanities."
They who observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. [Jonah 2:9]
People forsake the mercy of healing because they focus upon symptoms instead of the Word of God--Jesus in particular. I see this time and time again when someone questions the veracity of healing and says, "I was healed, but a few months later, I lost it and the sickness came back." I say, "What about the Word of God has changed?" They answer, "Nothing. The Word of God does not change." And I said, "There you go... focus on the Word of God that says you are healed, and you will remain healed. Otherwise, when you focus on carnal things, you open the door for death." For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [Romans 8:6]
I've seen hundreds of people healed of various things. I used to work in a wireless phone store where I ministered the good news to the customers. One man came in with his wife and he had been in WWII in the engine room of a destroyer, and his hearing had been damaged. His ears had been ringing for the past 40 years and he could not hear very well at all. I showed him from the Word of God that Jesus had paid for his deafness and that He wanted his hearing restored. After about ten minutes of showing him what the Word of God says--NOT what I believe, but what God has SAID--I asked him if he wanted to be healed. He said, "Yes," and then I asked if he believed what I showed him. He said, "Yes," so I put my hands over his ears and commanded them to be healed, and they were. The ringing stopped immediately and he could hear clearly. That was all I said, "In Jesus' name, Ears, stop ringing and be healed!"
The man's wife was in tears and it was a glorious moment. Also, in my ministry I have seen many healed with physical manifestations... one being in a church where I had taught my teaching It is Finished! (http://www.bovministries.net/It_is_Finished.html) and the Lord told me there was a woman in the audience with a growth on the back of her neck. The woman came forward and showed me a large bump on the back of her neck. I had her friend put her hand on the growth and I simply said, "Growth on her neck, I command you to leave in the name of Jesus!" And the growth disappeared. Again, it was a glorious moment.
What happened next was even greater, that upon witnessing this miracle, a man came up to me to get born again. He'd heard the good news I preached and saw the power of God in action and he wanted this Jesus. Does this sound familiar at all? Sounds just like the way Jesus and the apostles did it. If you want the same results Jesus and the early Church had where they turned the world upside down, then I think it be wise to simply do what they did. The church today wants the results in the Book of Acts, but they do not want to conduct the same ministry. That's dumb to the 2nd power! DUMB-DUMB! And it's also the epitome of insanity--to do the same thing over and over, but yet expect different results.
Last week I met with a pastor for whom I am publishing a book, and he told me that four weeks ago, he raised a boy from the dead. He was in the hospital clinically dead with machines keeping him alive. He laid hands on him and commanded him to come back to life and be healed in Jesus' name and the boy is alive and completely well.
Some may say, "I don't believe it!" Again, I say, "It won't work for you then... because you have to believe it as the Lord said, "If you can believe; all things are possible to him who believes." [Mark 9:23]
I've learned that even in the face of testimonies and even those of raising someone from the dead, many people like our young friend who refuses to open her eyes to the truth, will not believe. Jesus predicted this so I am not surprised--grieved, but not surprised. Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. [Luke 16:29-31]
Many Christians will have some ailment.
Paul had a 'thorn in the flesh', perhaps we don't know what it was, God would not remove it.
While it's true that we see most Christians have some ailment in their body as much as they still struggle with sin, but again, the point of this initial teaching was that God's Word is TRUTH regardless of our experience. Although in the spirit, I have been healed of near-sightedness because this is what God's Word says, this healing has not yet manifested in my body--NOT because God is withholding something, but because of my own unbelief that is caused by my five senses. I'm not blaming God, and I'm not condemned at all. I know what God's will is, and I trust that to the degree that I meditate and remember on the Word of God that promises healing of my eyes, it will manifest. In fact, my vision has improved over the past two years, and I know it will continue to do so, provided I continue to believe. Moses lived to be 120 and his natural strength was not abated nor his vision dimmed (Deut. 34:7). And if Moses, under the Old covenant walked in this, surely we under the New covenant with better promises can!
However, I have not changed what the Word of God says, which was the purpose of this article. The Word of God is TRUTH regardless of our experience in and with it. Just because we're not seeing the promises of God in our lives, this doesn't mean that God is not able or willing or that they are not for everyone, or that He lied. It simply means that we have a problem with our receiver.
The illustration I gave about the television set... If you aren't receiving a picture, the first thing you do is make sure the set is plugged in; and then you make sure it's on, and on the right channel, and then perhaps the antenna or cable is not connected. But rarely do we go directly to the source of the signal for the problem, because we know that they are always broadcasting. There is no problem with God's broadcast--the problem lies with our receiver, our unrenewed mind.
Be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you can do what??? So that you may PROVE what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. [Romans 12:2]
The reason God's good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God is not being PROVEN in your life is because your mind has not been renewed to the truths of God's Word. So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. [Romans 10:17]
But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he who comes to God MUST believe that he is....
He is what? He is Who He says He is, "I Am the Lord that heals you" "I Am your righteousness" "I Am your provider" "I Am your Shepherd" "I Am your captain" "I Am there" "I Am your Peace"
...and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [Hebrews 11:6]
Paul's thorn in the flesh WAS NOT SICKNESS or a physical condition. Paul states very plainly what the thorn was... the messenger of Satan sent to buffet or torment him. The term "thorn in the flesh" was used several times in the Bible and ALWAYS referred to people who would cause problems with Israel, and NOT any physical ailment. Paul knew the Torah and prophets thoroughly and because he was a Jew, this was language he could communicate to people of Jewish background, and also to those who were not by saying, the messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above measure.
Paul did NOT have an issue with pride or conceit as the NIV would attempt to tell you. Rather, it was because of Paul's ministry--that he was being exalted by God and turning the world upside down--that he was such a threat to Satan. Let us remember that it was because of all the revelation from God that Paul was attacked, which gives us the basis for a "thorn in the flesh"... REVELATION to the degree where you could write over half the New Testament and preach the gospel to groups of people where because of such dramatic conversions, the people burned books and idols of the other gods they had served before hearing about Jesus. Even in Ephesus where this occurred, they worshiped Diana of the Ephesians where the religious practices were centered around young maidens performing sexual favors for men. Talk about a powerful gospel to get men to turn away from such things...
I challenge anyone to claim they have such revelation and are making such an impact to be "worthy" of such torment and persecution. The reason why no one else mentions a "thorn in the flesh" (not even any of the twelve apostles) and only Paul is because no one else was making the impact he was. So, if you're not making the same impact as Paul and don't have the same revelation, then you're exempt from the "thorn in the flesh" because this was the reason for it. Paul was being exalted by God (yes, by God!) to such a degree that he was attacked specifically through people and persecution and hardships, which is why the Lord said, My grace is sufficient for you.
I have a teaching called The Truth About Paul's Thorn in the Flesh (http://www.bovministries.net/Pauls_Thorn_in_the_Flesh.html) that goes into great detail about how this has been used to claim that God wants us sick or refuses to heal.
I have a damaged left lung, from too much heavy work landscaping, a resultant susceptibility to chest infections.
My wife has deterioration of her spine, caused by physical trauma, four births and probably some natural ageing - causing her a lot of pain on bad days.
Our nephew has terminal cancer of the pancreas and liver.
ALL of these things are NO PROBLEM for God. Jesus has paid for ALL these ailments and healing is offered to you through God's written revelation. Therefore, like the grace of God that brings salvation that has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11) the grace of God that brings healing (the word for salvation "soteria" means rescue or safety (physically or morally):—deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.) has appeared to all men, but in order for it to profit us, we must mix faith in it. Christ was not profiting the Galatian church because they were not remaining in the gospel (Galatians 5). The same is true for any Christian who is sick. You may be saved like they were, but Christ is not profiting you in the fullest extent.
I've written a lot and I debated just sending this to you privately, but this is so important for everyone to hear...