Healed in the Name of Jesus!

Causes of Sickness and Disease

Out of 35 recorded miracles of Jesus in the gospels, 26 of them involve some form of healing (including raising from the dead and deliverance from evil spirits). At least half involved some form of physical healing. Clearly, Jesus regarded healing to be fundamental to people's needs, and He still does! According to the Bible there are essentially two sources of sickness and disease:

1. The Curse of the Law

Adam and Eve were created "a little lower than God" (Ps 8.5,6) [note: the Hebrew 'Elohim' is more properly translated 'God' rather then 'the angels']. Man was second in the hierarchy of beings, and angels (including Satan) were in third place below God. Man initially had full authority and was to rule over the whole earth (Gen 1.26, 28). But as a result of Adam's disobedience (the so-called 'Fall of Man'), man gave his God-given authority to Satan, who then placed himself in second place in the hierarchy. Satan, not man, now had full authority over the world (Lk 4.6). Satan, not man, is described as 'ruler of the world' (Jn 14.30). Satan had deceived man in order to usurp him and take his place – which is why Jesus refers to him as a thief (Jn 10.10). As a result of The Fall, the angelic realm now had second position in the hierarchy, and man third. So when Jesus temporally took man's form, He too was made 'a little lower than the angels' (Heb 2.7) – in third place so to speak.

Since Satan is currently ruler of the world, there is a temptation to blame him and his demonic spiritual powers for all forms of calamity (including sickness and disease). After all, Satan's objective is 'to kill and destroy' (Jn 10.10). But this view doesn't follow from scripture. Rather, as a result of The Fall, all creation, was subjected by God to corruption; perfection was lost, and imperfection came in. Things went wrong from that point in time. God cursed the ground because of Adam's disobedience (Gen 3.17) and consequently all creation suffered (Rom 8.20-23). Many find this basic biblical teaching difficult. How can a loving God do this to mankind just because of one man's sin? Maybe you have a better explanation for all that is wrong in the world? On the other hand, if we see God answering prayers for healing (as He promises to do in the Bible), then maybe we have to accept this seemingly harsh theology; 'we accept the rough with the smooth' so to speak!

According to the Bible, The Fall and God's curse brought sin, suffering, pain and death into the world, and man came 'under the law'. It was God, not Satan, who decreed that man would now have limited life span and would eventually return to dust (Gen 3.19). So in this fallen, corrupted world we see people born with birth defects (Jn 9.1-12), paralysed people (Mat 9.1-8), child deaths (Lk 8.49-56), accidents (Acts 20.7-12), people with disease (Mk 1.40-42), and people suffering from fevers (Mat 8.14). We simply cannot blame all accidents (as in Acts 20) on Satan, just as men can't blame him for loss of hair. As a result of The Fall, it is 'natural' for all created beings and created things to deteriorate from an 'ordered state' to a 'disordered state'. This implies that our health naturally deteriorates with time, accidents will occur, things will break and things will decay. A garden left unattended for months will deteriorate from an ordered state to a rough, disordered state with weeds, and a car without maintenance for 10 years will gradually fall to pieces. Similarly, man's body seems to be programmed to last for just 70 or 80 years e.g. we lose 10,000 brain cells each day! Such a natural law cannot be described as coming from direct spiritual attack; rather, it was God decreed and sometimes the enemy helps things along (Job 1.12).

The scientist refers to this natural progression of things as The Second Law of Thermodynamics. One form of this law is described as increasing entropy, whereby systems tend to go from an ordered to unordered state (entropy is a measure of disorder or uncertainty). The entropy of the whole universe is increasing! The Bible describes this natural progression to chaos as 'the curse of the Law', but the good news is that Christ has redeemed us from this natural law by being made a curse for us (Gal 3.13). Man has been redeemed from both sin and sickness and can become ‘whole’ through Christ, irrespective of age . In passing we note that evolutionary theory requires that things gradually and naturally become more ordered and complex (decreasing entropy) but this is contrary to The Second Law of Thermodynamics and contrary to palaeontology – there is a distinct absence of transitional fossils that show increasing complexity from one species to another. For a full discussion see Truth about Evolution].

2. Satan and Unclean Spirits

According to the Bible, sickness, death, accidents, and general disorder and strife all came about after God cursed the world following The Fall. These are so-called 'natural' processes and can be described by scientific law. There is a general run-down of all creation. At the same time, Satanic forces took rule over the earth in place of man (1 Jn 5.19), and Satan's aim from that point was the death and destruction of mankind. Principalities and powers of darkness started working against mankind (Eph 6.12). So sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between the effects of God’s decree for a fallen world, and direct spiritual attack. This calls for wisdom and discernment. Baldness and wrinkles are 'natural', but madness or some crippling disablement could be from principalities and powers.

According to the Bible a prime cause of sickness and disease comes from unclean spirits (Acts 10.38)(Lk 8.2, 13.11,16)(Mat 8.16, 10.1, 12.22-24, 17.14-18). These powers can influence our lives in at least two ways. First, God may allow such activity in order to test our faith, even though we may be living good lives in His sight (Job 1.8,12 ; 2.3). More often, unclean spirits can make a direct attack on our lives, and from biblical examples these attacks can cause oppression, madness, blindness, dumbness, physical crippling etc.. Once we discern this, we can take steps against these demonic forces in Jesus’ name and with His authority. For a comprehensive discussion on the use of Christ's authority and power see Our Authority in Christ.

God's Will for Man - Physical Healing

Given that the present world appears to have natural, in-built problems, should we expect physical healing? Recall the Lord’s prayer: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". Since there is no sickness in heaven it seems that it is God's will that there should be no sickness on earth. Jesus certainly demonstrated this by healing people, and it was God’s will in the OT that those who chose to follow Him and refrain from sin would be protected from sickness and disease (Exod 15.26, 23.25,26). The prophet Isaiah underscores this point:

'Our griefs He Himself bore. And our sorrows He carried … He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities … and by His scourging we are healed.' (Isa 53.4,5)

Not only was Christ pierced for our sins, but He also bore our sicknesses, and by His scourging we are healed. The word 'grief' (v4) is from the Hebrew 'choli' meaning sickness or disease. The word 'healed' (v5) is from the Hebrew 'raphah' meaning cured or healed. The healing theme is confirmed in Mat 8.17 – Christ carried away our diseases. God wants man to be healed just as much as He wants man to be saved; He wants us to be made whole in body, mind and spirit. This is put succinctly in Psalms:

'(the Lord) who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.' (Ps 103.3)

In the New Testament, the Greek word 'soteria' (salvation) means both spiritual and physical salvation. The theme is both a good soul and good health (3 Jn 2.)!

Spiritual Attack

What about spiritual attack? Can't demonic forces still rule over the health of our bodies despite the above promises? Not necessarily! The good news is that, although Satan is still officially ruler of this world, he no longer has full authority over the world. His kingdom has been invaded. It is rather like a country's president who still officially rules but who is losing control and authority. Jesus' death and resurrection defeated Satan and, in Jesus' name, Satan and demonic forces are rendered powerless. All authority on earth (and in heaven) has now been given to Jesus (Mat 28.18):

'He (Jesus) Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.' (Heb 2.14)

'... now the ruler of this world will be cast out.' (Jn 12.31)

Through Jesus' death and resurrection, man is now engaged in an on-going battle to be reinstated as number 2 in the hierarchy of things. The outcome is certain; Satan will soon be crushed under our feet (Rom 16.20). So, even if principalities and powers have inflicted a sickness or disease, we have the authority in Jesus' name to cast it and claim wholeness in both body and spirit.

Old Age

What about infirmity in old age? Surely the natural law of 'running down' implies that sickness and infirmity in old age is virtually inevitable? As noted above, man's body seems programmed by God to last for just 70 or 80 years and so it seems reasonable to expect health problems later in life. Not necessarily! In a believer’s case, God promises to remove sickness and let them live out their full years (Exod 23.25,26). He promises 'good things' throughout their years and to renew their youth (Ps 103.5). Sickness is not a 'good thing' and is not promised even when we age. When we become weary with age God's will is to renew our strength (Isa 40.31). God’s will is that we come to death with good vigour (Job 5.26) and simply 'fall asleep' as God removes the spirit (breath) of life (Ps 104.29)(1 Thes 4.13,14).

If we still claim salvation and redemption from sin when we are old, why not healing also? There is no age limit in Isa 53.4-6 or Ps 103.3. It is unscriptural to believe that when we age we lose one aspect of these verses (freedom from sickness) but retain the other (salvation). Even in old age we can stand on the promises of good health. It is rather like the people of Israel travelling through the wilderness (Num 21.6-9). When they were in trouble they looked to the bronze serpent on a standard; when our bodies are in trouble due to ageing we look to Christ.

Inner Healing

Many people, including many Christians, are inflicted by inner hurts. They are damaged in mind and heart rather than in the body. They are crying inside. They feel downtrodden. They are in bondage to hurts from the past. If they are Christian they lack the freedom to live the victorious Christian life. And the problem may not be just emotional – demonic powers may have entered through the mechanism of the hurt and they need dealing with.

This inner hurt and bondage can go on many years, wearing down both sufferer and counsellor, but it need not be so! Isaiah 53.4,5 refers to both physical and inner healing. The word 'sorrows' (v4) is from the Hebrew 'makobah' meaning pains or sorrow or grief. And Jesus was chastened (v5) for our well being (mind and body). Jesus started His public ministry by saying:

'He (God His Father) has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives … to set free those who are downtrodden …' (Lk 4.18)

'He has sent Me to bind up the broken hearted' (Isa 61.1)

That sounds like inner healing. Jesus is the best counsellor in the world:

'And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God ...'(Isa 9.6)

We rest on such firm promises. If it is an emotional hurt we pour it all out to Jesus, we hand it over to Him and let Him carry it, we take His free offer of peace (Jn 14.27), and we take His offer of freedom (Jn 8.36). Releasing chains off captives takes minutes not years so the basic process of inner healing can be just as quick. And after this:

'...the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' (Phil 4.7)

Such release and peace is complete and supernaturally given and does not need the months or years sometimes taken by human counselling. We rest on His Promises and Gifts.

If the hurt has opened up a way for demonic control then this needs dealing with first. There may be 'bonds of wickedness' and Christians are called upon to break such bonds in the name of Jesus, see Our Authority in Christ. Sometimes this needs prayer and fasting:

'Is this not the fast which I chose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke?' (Isa 58.6)

Important Aspects of Healing

In order to distinguish God's healing from other forms of 'healing' ministry, it is vital to acknowledge that Jesus is the healer at all times (Isa 53.4)(Mat 8.17). When Jesus healed the sick He also had compassion for them (Mat 9.35,36)(Mat 14.14)(Mk 1.41), and His compassion must be recognised at all true God-given healing. So true healing is always in the name of Jesus (Acts 3.6), and through faith in His name (Acts 3.16). True healing is realised by Christ’s power (Lk 8.46) and man is simply His instrument through whom healing is sometimes administered. All other processes that appear to heal cannot be of God if Jesus is not honoured as the healer.

Whilst Jesus was on earth, all the disciples needed was His authority over the causes of sickness (Mat 10.1)(Mk 3.15). This, together with the power God gave Jesus (Lk 3.22) was sufficient for God to perform healing through the disciples. Jesus healed people because God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power (Acts 10.38). Once Jesus had risen, the disciples could not go out into the world until they were ‘clothed with power from on high’ - an anointing of power and a sign that Christ was still with them (Lk 24.49). In the same way, today's Church goes out with the authority Christ gave His disciples and with the anointing of the Spirit (evidence of Christ's presence and power). The authority and the power of Christ are essential since sickness is often from powerful unclean spirits. For a full discussion see Our Authority in Christ.

Belief and faith are also usually present when Jesus heals. When Jesus was in His hometown, Nazareth, the people refused to believe Him and took offence. It appears that even Jesus couldn’t (or wouldn't) do many healings in such an environment (Mk 6.1-6). People usually had to ask for healing – they had to exercise faith in Jesus (Mk 1.40-42)(Mk 5.25-34)(Mat 9.27,28). And sometimes God didn't heal because the disciples themselves lacked faith (Mat 17.14-20).

Finally, we must acknowledge God's timing. Suffering can persist until, at some point, God is there to heal. In the Bible examples we see deliberate delay (Jn 11.6), or a delay of many years (Jn 9.1-3)(Mat 9.20-22)Lk 13.11). But when the time was right, God healed instantaneously and was glorified.

The Mystery of Healing

Theologically it is invariably God's will for us to be healed, just as it is His will for us to be redeemed from sin and be saved. Healing and salvation are inseparable in Isa 53.4-6. Remove healing from Isa 53 and you might as well remove salvation. Jesus invariably healed all who came to Him for help and today we see this fundamental biblical theme realised in people's lives. Photos and testimonies show that many are instantly healed when they call upon Jesus for help.

But the reality is that some are not healed. Paul asked the Lord three times to remove some physical problem but he was told it was there for a reason (2 Cor 12.7-10). As discussed, for disobedient believers, sickness and disease may remain whilst God reproves us or tests our faith. And in rare cases some may suffer for a while in order that God may be glorified (Jn 9.3 ; 11.6-15), although this wasn’t the norm in the gospels. We will never fully know why some people are not healed despite obedience, repentance, authority, power, faith, prayer, and compassion. God is sovereign and we see only in part.

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Bible quotations are from the New American Standard Bible