"I Believe In Divine Healing, However..."

“Divine Healing”

Introduction before the introduction (To my fellow Pastors) Some of the information in this message should be given to the credit of W. A. Criswell and his book entitled: "The Holy Spirit in Today’s World." I have simply shapened some of his thoughts and added a few of my own. Enjoy...

Introduction: There are two schools of thought on this subject that I want to immediately dismiss. The first is: that a Christian is never sick. That sickness is really only a matter of "mind over matter." That belief is a good belief to have until the day that you actually become sick or you become injured!

The other belief is: that if a person is a Christian, all that he has to do is "declare himself to be healed in the name of Jesus," and it will be so. That, too, is a wonderful belief to have, until the day that you find that you still need to wear a hearing aid "BECAUSE YOU CAN’T HEAR," or the day that you have to put on a pair of glasses BECAUSE YOU CAN’T SEE!

Here are some introductory verses for you to consider

There are only two points that I want you to consider when reading through this message. 1. Why people get sick? And 2. What should we do about it?

Six reasons for sickness?

I submit to you that there could be one or more of the following six reasons why a person may be sick.

Before we begin this list, please consider this verse:

(James 1:5 KJV) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

When either you or a loved one becomes sick, God encourages you to come to him and for you to ask him, “Why?” It is right for you to pray this prayer, “Why me Lord? What are you trying to teach me?”

If a person does not know God’s will for their life, how can one expect to do God’s will?

Here is the first reason for you to consider as to why a person my become sick with disease or infirmity:

1. The Devil or demon possession.

Please read this story:

(Luke 13:11 KJV) And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

(Luke 13:12 KJV) And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

(Luke 13:13 KJV) And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

(Luke 13:14 KJV) And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

(Luke 13:15 KJV) The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

(Luke 13:16 KJV) And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Note verse 16. Jesus said that the reason why this woman had the infirmity was that "Satan had her in bonds."

When Peter was at the house of Cornelius, he said this concerning the ministry of Christ:

(Acts 10:38 KJV) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Again, note that the healing was for those who were "oppressed of the Devil."

Many people who are under hospital care today, are there because they are being directly afflicted of the Devil. Pastor’s need to make hospital calls!

2. The Chastening of the Lord.

Some people are sick because they are being chastening of the Lord. Consider the following examples in Scripture:

Miriam… Numbers 12:9,10 (Leprosy because of her rebellion)

David… Psalm 38:3-8 (Became sick after his secret sin)

Gehazi… 11 Kings 5:27 (Became a leper because of his greed)

King Herod Agippa… (Died because of his pride) Acts 12:23

Also, please read:

(1 Cor 11:30 KJV) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

(1 Cor 11:31 KJV) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

(1 Cor 11:32 KJV) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

3. For the glory of God.