A Layman's Approach to Divine Healing

Our last lesson looked at how some sicknesses are caused by demons. When this happens, you have to get rid of the demon befor the person can be healed. So it makes sense to assume that any time you become aware of a demon operating atainst a person's health, you should simply command it to leave, or cast it out. But the sad fact is that not everyone is wiling to recieve this type of healing. Let me give you an example.

When I lived in Georgia, I attended a church where that had a young pastor who had lots of energy. One summer he decided we would have nightly meetings at the church to bring revival to the church and the surrounding city. Each night we would sing, praise, pray, and the pastor would preach. It was a week of learning and growing. But one night, the pastor came in and could barely speak above a whisper. He said that his asthma was acting up but he was trusting God to be healed before he going to preach. We all agreed in faith that God would touch and heal him.

During the singing and praising part of the service, he would walk back and forth in front of the church, lifting his hands up to God, mouthing the words of the songs wanting for the healing to come. We all were praying for him and giving praise asking God to come and touch him. As I looked up after praying in the spirit, I saw what looked to be a hairy monkey on the pastor's back with his hands around his throat as though he were choking him. I watched as the pastor walked up and then back, all the time this "monkey" kept holding his throat. Then the monkey disappeared. At first I didn't know whether the "monkey" had left him or whether my ability to see him was gone, but I no longer could see the "monkey."

But this gave me valuable information on how to pray for my pastor. He wasn't sick; he was being harassed by a demon that looked like a hairy monkey. I came against it in the name of Jesus. After the service, I talked to the pastor and told him what I saw and what I thought was the problem. He dismissed it and joked about it saying, "I sometimes think he's still there." I was taken aback, not knowing what to say. Sometimes when God shows us things, the person who is experiencing the problem may not be spiritually mature enough to handle it.

As I've stated before, I am not a minister or pastor, but I can read my Bible, pray, and still be used of God. Remember the verse from lesson 1: Mark 16: 17-18:

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

When we see someone who is sick or bent over, it may be caused by a health problem or it could be caused by the spiritual forces of Satan. How will we know? The Holy Spirit is our guide and if we will rely on Him and listen, He will tell us. Sometimes we want to approach how we deal with a health or emotional problem the same way every time but we need to always depend on the Holy Spirit because He knows what the problem is and how best to deal with it.

Summary

We have covered several topics in the past 5 lessons. I wanted to summarize some of the main points of the lessons so that it will be easier to remember them.

It's not only Jesus who was involved in healing the sick. Divine, spiritual healing is a ministry promised to "those who BELIEVE." So ask God to make you one of those faith-filled people offering prayers for the sick that result in divine healings. Pray with the expectation that "... [the sick] WILL get well" (Mark 16:19). Be confident in the power of prayers for healing offered in faith.

Pastors and ministers cannot go everywhere you do and there are some who will never see what it means to be a believer except through you. You may be the only person they will see. Let them see Christ in you. Let them hear the words of life that will affect their lives for eternity. Sometimes in order to get their attention, you may need to meet their immediate need, like a meal, some money, or their sickness. God may you use to meet them where they are and give them what they need most and give you a chance to tell them the Good News that Jesus loves them, died for them, and will forgive their sins.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to reach out and love others. Remember that God's love is the motivation behind why He heals the sick. When we pray for people, we must do so in a way that demonstrates His love.

Don't be afraid to depend heavily on God's word as your model and inspiration for healing. The Bible is full of all sorts of verses about God's will and desire for us pray for the sick and see them get healed. Take all those verses about healing literally and believe what it says. Faith plays an important role in healing and doubt can hinder it. So arm yourself against doubt by memorizing Scripture about God's will and desire to heal the sick.

Don't just memorize Scripture and believe it. You need to obey it as well--to apply it to your life. As we saw in lessons 3 and 4, the Bible gives us many guidelines for physical and mental health. If we want to live in divine health, we need to follow those guidelines, to live by them. If we are praying for healing for someone who is living contrary to those guidelines, we need to teach that person how to live in a manner that aligns with God's guidelines, so that they won't loose their healing.

Finally, don't be afraid to cast out demons; speak with new tongues; take up serpents; and if you drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt you; you will pay hands on the sick and they will recover. Be bold! Walk with new confidence that God is with you wherever you go.

Closing

I would like to close with a prayer.

Dear Lord, I wanted to thank you for your love and your grace. We come into your presence with a humble and contrite heart. We ask that you would use us as we grow in you; that you would give us the strength and boldness to reach out and touch those you have caused to come across our paths. May we not be too busy to listen to the Holy Spirit or be too impatient, or too shy to speak words of comfort, love and blessing on those You died for. Continue to walk with us as you promised you would; bless our going outs and coming ins, as you promised you would; and teach us how to grow closer to you and be what you designed us to be.

We give you all the praise and all the glory, In Jesus name, Amen.

Be blessed and may the Spirit of God richly bless you as to walk this day with Him. Read the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to give you insights into Scripture, and let Him be your teacher. He is so kind and because He was there when the words were penned down and He has watched every Word throughout the ages until now, He is more than able to give you the knowledge and insight you need to be victorious.