In this piece over at Equip The Saint, Costi Hinn, nephew of notorious faith healer Benny Hinn, presents six clear truths that explain God’s will in regards to healing. For those who haven’t heard Costi’s story, in a nutshell the Lord delivered him out of a counterfeit Christian movement known as Word of Faith (sometimes referred to as the prosperity gospel, the health and wealth gospel, positive confession, name-it-and-claim-it) that holds to the view that health, wealth and success is the will of God for those who have faith in Him. Costi’s now on a mission to prevent others from getting drawn into a satanic religious belief that teaches that being poor is a sin; even worse, that Christ provided for physical healing at the cross.
Now that I’ve provided this backdrop, discover what the six truths that explain God’s will in regards to healing:
Jesus is getting a lot of really confusing press when it comes to physical healing these days. This post will answer one of the biggest questions that arises from all of the confusion.
As of right now, miraculous healing is one of the most popular subjects inside and outside the church. Preachers are preaching it, televangelists are guaranteeing, desperate people need it – it’s a healing-hungry world out there.
Recently, I was on a camping trip with my family and thought I was free and clear of any healing ministry enthusiasts. That first night a man walked up to my campsite out of the blue, introduced himself, and proceeded to spend 2 hours telling me about his divine healing ministry. The crescendo of our campfire pow-wow? No, he didn’t heal my wife’s asthma (or even offer). But he did give me two copies of his most recent book on using the power of positive words to speak healing into every sick person I know. After I declined his offer of 400 copies for our church, I shared truth, and he didn’t return again.
You probably experience the same kind of chaotic intrusion from time to time as well. Peruse through your local TV stations or mainstream Christian bookstore and it won’t be long before you’re promised divine healing and a miracle of some sort. On the flip side to all of that, there’s a whole slew of authors and teachers who will tell you that God does nothing supernatural, so not to get your hopes up.
All of the opinions can be downright confusing for people who just need a clear answer to one begging question:
Is it always God’s will to heal everyone during their life on earth?
To find this answer we don’t need a faith healer’s FAQ webpage, or a blanket guarantee from someone who has “seen and experienced some things” in a healing room or a jungle overseas. We need nothing more than to incline our ears and fill our minds with answers from the word of God.
Here are six clear truths that explain God’s will in regards to healing: Continue reading
Check out our White Papers on Discernment as well as the Word of Faith movement
I am a fan. But did anyone read the article. The author stayes that Jesus did not heal anyone in his home town of Nazareth. What about the Holy Bible, NKJV or JOB or The Scriptures 2009 which record that He did heal at least one?
Isn’t one false teacher the same as the other, either the New Apostolic Reformation false teachers, or the very staunch religious or liturgical teachers. Error either way -isn’t it all error.
So based on the mistakes in this article, I laid my torch and my Pitchfork down, but again I’m a fan! I agree the New Apostolic Reformation movement is demonic!
I was surprised to see that article posted here!
Sorry WINNERS!
I made this response on my tiny phone. It has an aggressive auto correct. There are a few misspelled items that I did not catch:
1. States not stayes.
2. KJV not JOB.
3. Records not record.
Blessings – Thomas.
“1 Corinthians 11:30
For this cause many are weak and sickly
Because of their unworthy participation of the Lord’s supper, many in the Corinthian church were attended with bodily infirmities and diseases; either by way of fatherly chastisement and correction in such who were truly the Lord’s people, though they had behaved unworthily; or by way of punishment to such who were not, and had sinned very grossly:
and many sleep;
that is, die a corporeal death, which is often in Scripture signified by sleep, and frequently used of the saints, and their death, and may intend and include some of them here; for though the Lord might resent so far their unworthy conduct and behaviour at his table, as to remove them out of this world by death, yet their souls may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
At the end of the day of the day (as the cliché goes) we don’t know why God heals some and not others, one thing is sure if a child of God goes wayward long enough The Lord might call him home. In order to keep that child from wrecking his faith or committing more serious sins. God is loving, but He is not to be played with, He is holy and without reproach, He is to be respected and loved with all our might. Why does Hid call children home at times? I do not know, but His reason is much better than what we might speculate.
Those that believe Jesus did not pay for ALL darkness that came upon mankind due to Adam’s sin… are suckers who do not know the Father and His Word very well at all.
Yeah, good luck with medical science… and BTW, where did God ever issue a call to action in His Word to go to doctors rather then coming to Him for health and healing??? Same goes for borrowing money… where???
Shoot me an email with some scripture references showing a call to action for either of these…
Manny
Your comments about getting sick in relation to the Lord’s Supper. Is that happening today? If so how is it recognized? I have heard this stated more lately but I don’t hear anyone talking about it today.
Good morning John,
My point is not specific to the Lord’s supper, but indicative of the Lord’s chastising His own. The Lord’s supper is not being honored today as it should, as most “churches” are wayward. I used 1 Corinthians 11:30 as an illustration that God does chastise, sometimes through sickness. Look at the booming business the WoF hucksters have had for decades, there’s a need within the real Christian community. As for healing, it happens, but it’s from God, as He chooses, it isn’t as the huckster advertise, of course when it doesn’t come about they blame you for not having enough faith.
No, God does not put sickness on people…. those that are not walking with Him are already sick and God lets them reap what they sow which sometimes results in sickness or other bad things.
If you knew your Bible better you’d know that in James God says He does not test any man with evil and Jesus said sickness was the work of satan.
You folks get so lathered up over ‘word faith’ that satan is tricking you in to not believing God’s Word just cause some make money marketing religion and put on a show.
That’s yo bad, and the devil is glad!
I think since God knows the end from the beginning, sometimes he does not heal a person in order to have a better “end” for that person. Manny is right that it’s up to Him and not anything we do. Of course we can pray, but as Jesus did, end every prayer with “Not my will, but Thine be done”. We don’t always know God’s will but sometimes there is a purpose we can’t see yet when a Christian is sick. As David wrote in Psalm 119:67 “Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.”
In my personal testimony I was in a worldly band. I knew the Lord was telling me to leave for at least a year before I injured my back lifting a heavy monitor up onto a stage. I herniated three lumbar disks in my back and ended up with shots, pills, physical therapy, radiofrequency treatments and a double laminectomy/diskectomy. Lets just say I was in a lot of pain and unable to continue with the band. I left, causing major problems with my husband (co founder, co lead singer)…and other things. Finally God led me to a small community church and I play guitar and sing there. I don’t make any money but I am much closer to God than I was before all this happened.
It just takes a little reasoning of thought to determine that it is not always God’s will to heal, although He is able. If it were His will and He always answered prayers for healing, Christians would be delivered every time from suffering and perhaps even escape death, for other Christians would be praying for their life. But it just doesn’t happen that way. God in His sovereignty does as He pleases concerning His creatures (saved and unsaved) for His glory. “Pray hard” is sometimes a phrase used to hopefully convince God to heal someone, but He will do according to His will. And His will is always right.
Great testimony Denise! Paul prayed for healing three times, the Lord’s reply was telling! It will send WoF clowns into apoplectic fits!
2 Corinthians 12:7-12:9
“7or with these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me”
Yes, Christians do get sick and die through natural causes, The Lord heals when it’s part of His plan, we sometimes get chastised for getting out of line too! That’s why it’s so disheartening to read or hear from other Christians that God is only love and accepting! They forget that He is holy and without reproach, He is gentle, He is compassionate but, He knows us better than we know ourselves! The human heart is wicked beyond repair! That’s why we get a new birth and a new nature in Christ! We pass from death to life! Presently we still live with and struggle with the flesh! Untill the day we are called to rest in His presence!
If you knew your Bible better… you’d know what we received by grace thru faith and you would understand that God was not telling Paul he would have to keep the hard times he was experiencing (he was not sick, but was being assaulted by satan everywhere he went so his ministry would be hindered)
I know one thing is for sure… God’s Word teaches that how you receive God’s Word is how it will minister to you (you will reap what you sow), so sounds like you folks will all be getting sick soon and some of you will die early.
satan enjoys this sort of thing… if you knew John 10:10 you’d know God is not out putting sickness on people… but I wouldn’t expect baby Christians still in the nursery to know much about God’s promises which enable us to be partakers in His divine nature… at least those that take His promises as being real and walk in the Spirit rather than walking in the flesh.
Nah, carnal minded Christians don’t know nuthin…
” (he was not sick, but was being assaulted by satan everywhere he went so his ministry would be hindered”
Corinthians 12:6-12:8
6Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me, 7or with these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.…
This was not due to Satan hindering Paul’s ministry, this was an ailment (in the flesh) to keep Paul from focusing on his achievements instead focusing on Christ’s grace!
I also don’t understand where you are getting this notion, “sounds like you folks will all be getting sick soon and some of you will die early.” No one said they wanted to get sick or die! The whole point is God’s sovereignty to do as He will, sometimes He heals sometimes He doesn’t, Christians are not immune to sickness nor physical death. We are immune to spiritual death as it was conquered by Jesus on the cross. Sorry James you’re jumping to conclusions.
Remember, death has no hold on a Christian, it’s just a mechanism that causes us to go and be with our Lord. Jesus conquered death, and in Revelation death is thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:14
Amen, Manny! Not that I want to be sick, but whatever happens to me is God’s will, and if I die, well… I’m looking forward to going Home! There’s nothing here for me.
Yes brother! I do understand that thought! No one but a Christian can understand that!!! You say that to a secular person and they try and get you to see a psychiatrist to treat your delusional thoughts!! God bless!
Its obvious how the secular world holds on to life and desires to stay here as long as possible. They’re deluded in thinking that they can control or extend the number of their days by means of diet and exercise. And they work hard at it, not realizing that every breath they breathe is determined by God. They also value and cling to youth by means of botox and plastic surgery. I hope they enjoy it all because this is as good as it ever gets for them. I agree with berlorac – there’s nothing here for me…in this boring, corrupt den of liars, I might add.
Sheryl, don’t get me wrong. I do take care of myself, but not out of vanity. I want to be healthy so that I can have the energy to serve the Lord. If, despite my best efforts to be healthy, I get sick, then that’s okay. On the other end of the spectrum, I see Christians who have no thought for how they treat their bodies and so they bring on sickness. Then, some of them want God to heal them.
Yes, brother, many people (not just the unbelievers) will question your sanity. But it’s not about “wanting to die.” It’s about being a sojourner on this corrupt earth longing for the redemption; it’s about not wanting to spend one more moment in the knowledge that children, even babies, are being abused; it’s about wanting to be free of this sin-sick world. And yet, we know that as long as we are here, we have the privilege of preaching the Gospel and building up the Body of Christ. Outside of that, there is nothing here for me.
B, you have expressed exactly the way I feel. I look to my brothers and sisters in Christ to understand, to share burdens, and to encourage each other to press on and be a light to this dark world.
satan loves it when Christians say “just anything that happens to me is God’s will”… you left the door open broman and satan will be walking thru that door due to your ignorance of what Jesus did thru his death and resurrection.
Got good life insurance? At least think of your family so when you get offed by satan they can have some cash to live on for a while.
Satan can’t touch me unless God allows it. I have been transferred once for all into the kingdom of His dear Son. And I have all of the armor of God at my disposal. I don’t worry about what might happen, just as Paul didn’t (not that I’m as consistent in my walk as Paul was!).
“Got good life insurance? At least think of your family so when you get offed by satan they can have some cash to live on for a while”
Great Christian advice James……….. Ridiculous and pathetic.
Don’t be deceived, God has plans and purposes for your life here. Yes, eternal life is the ultimate goal but God does allowed you to exist here for a reason which is first of all to enter into a personal relationship with him thorugh faith in Jesus and to witness for Christ. You are to “run the race set before you” and remember the psalms say he will fulfill his purposes for you which will see if you read the bible for yourself thoroughly, are good. God has put things in you he wants to use to glorify himself and you’d be very sorry to think there’s nothing here for you. Keep God and his promised eternal life first and then do what he wants you to do here
True……. Christians all over the world feel the same! There’s nothing here for me! Is it any wonder riches are such a trap? Why it’s harder for a rich man to enter heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? There’s nothing wrong with riches in themselves, it’s what they can instill in a person. I truly believe God doesn’t allow all His children to achieve riches because it leads to harm, a wealthy Christian with the correct view of money and led by The Spirit will do much for the kingdom. But in the end it all comes to naught, as we read in Revelation!
berlorac and all here if you see this ..
You think as I do and I imagine lots of Christians . I want to go home , but maybe some how God will make it more of a special blessing by realizing how that might be sooner as I find out better where He has me ( I mean just me and not saying you have to do that or think like it ) ..I wish I can be home with the Lord . If this is because I was walking with the Lord a long time since before the 80s and we might get to be like old saints and I am not sure what sort of old saint I am [ I simply mean saved] ..I am seeking more lately to seek God first and not go after other things so much , is just what I say about myself now , not directed at you . I like your post and I see myself as you think in it to be ‘home’ soon. I am so much like that relating perfectly to your words . I am glad. I am in my 50s and saved before 1980 .
Yes, Joe, I understand. The true children of God are desiring to go to our heavenly home, as we are becoming more and more strangers to this world and the divisions between the true believers and the pretenders are becoming more distinct. I am so weary of this world, both the secular and the “religious,” and I sometimes wonder how God can continue to put up with it and why He hasn’t intervened yet. Surely the cup of iniquity must be full to overflowing by now. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. This present life WILL FINALLY come to an end.
” I am so weary of this world, both the secular and the “religious,” and I sometimes wonder how God can continue to put up with it and why He hasn’t intervened yet. Surely the cup of iniquity must be full to overflowing by now.” amen….I believe God’s people, His true sheep are more than ready to ‘depart and be with Christ, which is far better’. We have the same desire as the apostle Paul. Each day brings us a day closer, and I praise God my time of departure is drawing near. Soon we will all be rejoicing with Him and forever singing His praises – what a glorious truth that is :^)
Yes, Joe, we are saints, we are pilgrims and strangers here. We walk by faith, not by sight. When we are weak, He is strong. He is our life, not just what we think about, but the power to live, and to live in victory. He is life eternal and we are in Him. There is joy in the Lord, brother!
“We are saints”???
You must be one of those word faith people who claims the Blood of Jesus made you righteous.
Gotta be careful with that… lots of un-believing believers who don’t know what’s in their Bible will get made at you and call you a heretic if you say you believe God made you in right standing with Him when you got Born Again.
So, what’cout for the religious nutjob who has a form of godliness and denies the power of God not knowing God wants us to live long on the earth to declare His works so we can help lead people to the Lord…. nah, they are sad and want to bail.
James, “saints” is a term that Paul uses as a title for all Christians. It’s not a descriptor of behavior but a title indicative of our standing in Christ. We don’t always behave in accordance with our title, but it is our title nonetheless. We are not made inherently righteous. We are set down as righteous, positionally, in Christ. We are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
In 1 Timothy 5:23 Paul doesn’t heal his beloved son in the faith Timothy, but tells him:
“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”
This shows clearly that God does not always heal.
You do know that… Paul is not the Healer, right????
If Tim was sick, it’s his own fault cause God provided a way to be healed as He did through out the Old Covenant as well.
This is like saying God chooses to not save some folks… if a person goes to hell it’s their own fault cause God said in His Word that man is without excuse!
The scripture speaks for itself. Timothy was sick. Paul, his father in the faith and perhaps the greatest Christian ever made no effort to lay hands on him or tell him to claim his healing, Life happens to us all. Sickness, health, happiness and depression come upon all who have the human condition. This is the perfect example of the fact that God doesn’t always heal. He cares about our eternal souls more than he does about our dying bodies. Another relevant scripture from the man himself:
“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Matthew 5:45
James, Timothy had frequent ailments of his digestive system and stomach, also known as “Montezuma’s Revenge”, LOL! Since Paul had more experience with frequent travel, he was telling Timothy to not drink the water, to drink wine instead thus avoiding painful stomach pains and non stop diarrhea (as I had after going to Aruba on an anniversary). Back in those days, cities often did not have good water systems, so sickness of this kind was common! Look at England during the cholera out break, both Christians and non believers died got sick and died at the same rate. You are so far off on this healing thing.
What gets me is the ones who interpret Isaiah 53 where it says “He was wounded for our transgressions” (SIN), He was bruised for our iniquity (SIN), the the chastisement of our peace was upon him (peace with God, which we didn’t have because of SIN) and by His stripes we are healed (PHYSICAL HEALING).
Can’t you see the context for that interpretation is all wrong? The whole chapter is about Jesus suffering for OUR SIN! He didn’t die on the cross so you could be healthy, he died for your SIN!
Psalm 103 tells us not to forget all His benefits. Read for yourselves. I agree with James when he posted that Pauls, thorn in the flesh, was as 2 Cor.12:7 says, a messenger from satan to buffet him. Thorns in the side, were speaking of people in the old testament. Jesus went around doing the will of His Father, Jesus healed all who were sick and oppressed of devils. When it came to His own hometown, it says, He could do no mighty work there except for heal a few people because of their unbelief.
We are all tired of the false teachers, false teachings, false brethren, the world system, the lies, the injustice, the murders, the debauchery, the politics, it goes on and on! We are salt on this putrid Earth and The Good Lord will keep us here untill we are no longer required to be here! If things are bad now, wait till God moves He who restrains! God knows our burden!
Brothers and sisters, let these words be a comfort to us all!
Revelation 3:7-13
The Faithful Church
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:[a] 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;[b] for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold,[c] I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
James, I’m so glad you showed up to set us all straight. Wow! What a bunch of ignorant, carnal Christians we are!
Just a couple of questions to reset my own mind to your way of thinking.
If Paul was not to “keep the hard times” (your words), Why did Jesus tell him “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness?”
Where does it say (in the Bible) that Paul was not sick?
Please show the verses that tell us we are to have a divine nature in us. 2 Cor. 5:17 tells us that we are a “new creation” with nothing about us being in any way “divine”; if what you is true, then the divine nature is a created thing, so did God create the Lord Jesus Christ out of nothing as He did the rest of creation?
If the events, good and bad, in one’s life are not directed by God, then who does direct them? Are you the ‘captain of your own ship’ and ‘the master of your own fate?’ Does Satan call the shots now? To follow your logic one must conclude that God is not the Sovereign of His creation, but that someone has de-throned Him and He is no longer in charge? Got a verse or two that teaches that?
“You must be one of those word faith people who claims the Blood of Jesus made you righteous.” Your words, James. If the Blood of Jesus does not cleanse a believer from all sin what does? If being born again does not make a person right with God what does? Please limit your answers to the Scriptures only, ’cause I don’t think I can handle too much more of your wisdom, it’s too deep for me.
If it’s God’s will that we live long on the earth why does any believer ever die?
What was the method of healing in the Old Covenant?
Does not the Word of God say “No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws him and I will raise him up at the last day?” Why, yes it does! Did Jesus die for the sins of Judas? Your logic says ‘yes’ so why is Judas in hell?
Conclusion:
If anyone is a word faith ‘nutjob’ (your word) it’s you, James. Heresies usually come in bunches and you’ve got a boat load of them, James. Your statement on the blood of Jesus by itself is enough to show that you do not have the Spirit of God in you. Heb. 9:11-14. It also shows that you have committed blaspheme against the Holy Spirit because it was through the Holy Spirit that Christ offered himself (V.14) and yet you have taken it upon yourself to declare His shed blood insufficient for the purpose for which it was shed—the forgiveness of the sins of the elect. Couple this with Heb. 10:29 where you have trampled underfoot the Son of God, counted the blood of the covenant a common thing and insulted the Spirit of grace and yet you have a double dose of gall to try and speak your poison in the Name of the God you so obviously hate. I would tell you to repent, but you are beyond that, since it is clear that you have blasphemed the Holy Spirit.
Don’t bother with a reply, I’m all out of nice for you, James.
Hi Darrel! You were gone for a while! Hope you’re doing fine!
I also think James has gone overboat with the healing thing. But, never judge someone as beyond repentance, you’re not GOD darling!
Manny, all is ok, thanks for asking.
I’m glad you’re back.
I had found a site that does sell the type of reprinted classic books by related , even , Puritan writers who I like a lot [a blessing to look into] and because the way they speak of good solid topics in a well put filled sermon outline style that is very devotional and very thoughtful using at times illustrations and it is I still think very relevant for today when Christians do desire it . They were men of God who knew what God was saying and knew Scripture and sought Him a lot as speaking truth too . An example is a writer had spoke of the Scripture reference of God’s righteousness being like the ‘everlasting’ mountains in the Psalms that is not just a metaphor , but is saying it is sure and certain and that Jesus covers us from the sins we have to appear His perfect way before God as righteous . I wonder why you don’t hear it put like that today as an example , but I think many subtle compromises thru decades of other dialogues . These books cannot be never obsolete or too old .God still of course saves though people would think to ‘update’ Christianity when it isn’t needing that / the compromise also started in the 1800s and before , even though all truth is still with us and we have Scriptures too. What was attacked was salvation itself as taught biblically and the truth of justification by faith . That whole great thing can cause a Christian to rejoice they are safe in God and they can be like they should and based from it . God can do what ever He said He can for us . I know when I see something good by discernment and such is encouraging .