God has not
only guaranteed to heal you but He has guaranteed to keep you healed. Like
the rest of God’s promises, it is conditional. God has told us in His Word
not only how to receive our healing but also how to keep our healing. Some
have failed to realize that there was anything more to do after they
received their healing, and although God had really healed them, soon
found that they were no better off than if they had never been healed.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR
HEALING:
1. REMEMBER THAT
ALL SICKNESS IS OF THE DEVIL.
First, let us
remember that, while all sickness cannot be attributed to demon possession or
even to demon oppression, God is not the author of sickness. Satan is
responsible in one way or another for all sickness. Satan is an active, crafty,
intelligent enemy. He gives no ground except what is actively taken from him by
faith, and having given up ground, he is constantly on the watch for an
opportunity to take it back again.
2. BE FILLED WITH
THE SPIRIT:
Jesus gave not
only promises and commands but warnings as well. One of these is found in Matt.
12:43-45:
‘When the unclean
spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest,
and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came
out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth
he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and
they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the
first.”
When you have
been released from the power of Satan, whether it be from sin, sickness, demon
oppression, or demon possession, it is important that the house in which you
live, your body, be not only clean, but occupied. When Satan moves out, if you
are to keep him out, the Spirit of God must move in. Never let the demon find
your house empty.
If you have not
yet been filled with the Holy Ghost, set out immediately to be filled; then STAY
FILLED. Let the Spirit of God dwell in you richly, keeping you, directing you,
possessing you, and using you for the glory of God. Then Satan cannot return.
“Neither give
place to the devil.” Eph. 4:27.
The devil cannot
move in unless we give him a place. Those who abide in Christ are safe from
Satan’s power. Be so filled with righteousness that there is no room for sin. Be
so filled with faith that there is no room for doubt. Be so filled with the
Spirit of God that there is no room for any other spirit to dwell there.
THE PROMISE OF
THE HOLY GHOST:
The last sermon
preached by Jesus before His ascension was on the Holy Ghost! He said, . . .wait
for the promise of the Father, . . . ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost
not many days hence.” Acts 1:4,5b.
“But ye shall
receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto
the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
Luke records the
last words of Christ as:
“ . . . behold, I
send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,
until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49.
This message must
be very important, or Jesus would not have reserved it until just before He
ascended.
John the Baptist
promised, “. . . he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Matt.
3:11b.
Eight hundred
years before Calvary, the prophet Joel prophesied, “. . . I will pour out my
spirit upon ALL flesh; . . .” Joel 2:28a.
This promise was
fulfilled in the second chapter of Acts, for Peter, one of the hundred and
twenty who was filled on that day said, “ . . . this is that which was spoken by
the Prophet Joel;” Acts 2:16. Later, Peter, speaking to a multitude said:
“...the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:39.
This experience
is promised to saved people of every age. In Peter’s preaching, the list
included YOU, YOUR CHILDREN, THOSE AFAR OFF, and even as many as the Lord our
God shall call. Every Christian needs this experience and should desire and
earnestly seek it.
THE BAPTISM OF
THE HOLY GHOST IS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE FROM CONVERSION
The fact that
salvation and the baptism of the Holy Ghost are two separate and distinct
experiences is made plain throughout the Scriptures. Peter said, “Repent, and be
baptized (now) . . . and ye shall (future) receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 2:38.
Jesus said to
“wait for the promise of the Father,” Acts 1:4. There are many other passages to
substantiate this truth.
All who receive
the baptism of the Holy Spirit speak in other tongues. “When Paul laid his hands
upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and
prophesied.” Acts 19:6.
INSTRUCTIONS TO
THOSE SEEKING THE HOLY GHOST:
Remember that
faith (on your part) has a part in the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Concerning the
Holy Ghost, Jesus said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to them that ASK Him?” Luke 11:13.
In asking, you
MUST, “ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of
the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For LET NOT THAT MAN THINK THAT HE
SHALL RECEIVE ANYTHING OF THE LORD.” James 1:6,7.
There is but one
way to ask in faith. This is found in Mark 11:24: “What things soever ye desire,
when ye pray, BELIEVE THAT YE RECEWE THEM, AND YE SHALL HAVE THEM.” The moment
you believe, you receive. God will fill you.
If you find it
hard to believe that God will FILL YOU NOW, it would be wise for you to search
your heart for the reason. The Bible teaches that there are definite hindrances
to real faith. Review the teaching of Lessons #4 and #5 concerning faith.
Eliminate the hindrances to faith and the result will be FAITH THAT CANNOT BE
DEFEATED, DISCOURAGED OR FAIL! Sin, disobedience, and self will destroy or
murder faith (confidence).
Please note the
following Scriptures:
“Beloved, if our
heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” I John 3:21.
“Behold, the
Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that
it cannot hear:” Isaiah 59:1.
“If I regard
iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Psa. 66:18.
“Likewise, ye
husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife,
as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life;
that your prayers be not hindered.” I Peter 3:7.
The Holy Spirit
is given to them that obey him (Acts 5:32), and is not even promised to the
children of disobedience (Eph. 5:6). When you can present to God a pure heart
and clean hands, then you can approach Him scripturally, lifting up holy hands
(I Tim. 2:8), and praising God with a joy born of faith, knowing that the
promise is for YOU!
If your faith has
not yet mounted to this point, seek God earnestly, and search your heart. Do not
condemn yourself and become discouraged, but wait in His presence, where the
light of God’s Word, applied by His Spirit, can reveal to you those things which
yet need to be corrected before you can have real faith.
“Enter into his
gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:” Psalms 100:4. Praise
Him for what HE IS, for what He has ALREADY DONE, and for His faithful promise
to give to YOU the power which He has promised (Acts 1:8), just as soon as you
are obedient (Acts 5:32), and ready. Wait patiently in His presence, in an
attitude of worship with praise, and holy hands uplifted. You will not be
waiting long. God will fill you or show you the hindrance. If He shows you some
disobedience, or some broken vow, do not think that you can buy the baptism of
the Holy Ghost with words of praise, without repentance, and perhaps even
restitution If it be possible. Words of praise will not buy it any more than
could Simon’s money. (Acts 8:20).
Ask God to fill
you with the Spirit, so that you can have real power to serve Him. Purify your
heart. Be obedient. Come boldly into His presence with praise. Then let Him fill
you.
Don’t flee in
fear from the moving of the Spirit when the power of God begins to take hold of
your body.
When praying for
the Holy Spirit, you will feel a mighty moving of the Spirit upon you. It may
cause you to shake (Jer. 23:9) or to tremble (Acts 9:6). Note that when Daniel
prayed and sought God, he said, “. . . I fell upon my face:” “I was in a deep
sleep.” (Dan. 8:17,18). Your lips may stammer (Isa. 28:11 with I Cor. 14:21).
The Holy Spirit’s coming may be accompanied by a vision (See Acts 2:17). You may
even stagger as one drunk (Acts 2:13-15). DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THESE
MANIFESTATIONS. Remember that they are scriptural and God-ordained. Others have
had one or more of these manifestations when they came into the presence of God,
and you may have them too.
Be obedient.
Remember, the Holy Spirit is given to them that are obedient. “So is also the
Holy Ghost, whom God HATH GIVEN to them that OBEY HIM.” Acts 5:32. Yield so
completely to the Spirit’s power that nothing else matters but doing what God
says, whether great or small, and be willing to follow God all the way no matter
where or how He may lead.
Pride will keep
you from being obedient. Get rid of PRIDE. “God resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace unto the humble.” James 4:6. “. . . the proud he knoweth afar off.” Psa.
138:6b.
Do not resist.
Remember that Satan knows if you yield to the Spirit, you will be filled. It is
Satan’s plan to tempt you to resist the Spirit. He will tell you, “This is not
necessary,” or “You can receive the Holy Ghost without all this foolishness.” Be
on our guard. Resist the devil (and he will flee from you), but DO NOT RESIST
THE HOLY SPIRIT! People who resist the Holy Ghost are called “STIFFNECKED.” “Ye
stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always RESIST THE HOLY
GHOST: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Acts 7:51.
Yield yourself!
This is important. YOU have a part in the baptism of the Holy Ghost. John
likened the baptism of the Holy Ghost to water baptism, for he said, “I indeed
baptize you with water . . . but . . . he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost,
and with fire.” Matt. 3:11.
The word
“baptize” means “to dip” or to “put under.” When being baptized in water, one
must submit to the one doing the baptizing. One must be yielded if he expects to
be baptized with the Holy Ghost. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is Christ
submerging every part of our being-soul, mind, spirit, hands, tongue, lips,
voice, and ALL!
Then, yield fully and let Him possess ALL of your being.
Many yield to the
Holy Ghost until they are partially under His control. Their lips and tongue
quiver under the control of the Spirit. The Holy Ghost is moving upon them, and
ready to come in and speak out, but they WILL NOT YIELD themselves in the
baptism. They are praising God in their native tongue, but the Holy Ghost is
trying to speak in another language. They stubbornly insist upon saying what
THEY WANT TO SAY, in the way they want to say it! If they find they cannot
continue to praise God in their native language, they refuse to speak at all. It
is the Spirit that gives the utterance, but you must furnish the SOUND, the
LIPS, the TONGUE, and the effort to SPEAK OUT. The Spirit furnishes the
language. The Holy Ghost possesses you, and He, from within, speaks back to God
above, using your speaking apparatus as a transmitter, as you yield to Him. This
is why some speak right out in “tongues” immediately, while others hold back
from fully yielding, because of fear or doubts.
Do not be afraid
of receiving something you have not asked for! “If a son shall ask bread of any
of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he
for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a
scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: HOW MUCH MORE SHALL your heavenly Father GIVE THE HOLY GHOST TO THEM
THAT ASK HIM?” Luke 11:11-13. God said He would give THE HOLY GHOST! Don’t be
afraid of getting something else. Just believe God! He cannot lie! Then, in
Jesus’ name, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST!
Is it necessary,
since the day of Pentecost, to “tarry” or “wait” for the Holy Ghost? Before
Pentecost, the disciples tarried in the upper room at Jerusalem, waiting for the
“Promise of the Father,” the Holy Ghost, which bad not yet been given (John
7:39). From the time that the Holy Ghost was given, on the day of Pentecost, we
have no record of anyone tarring for the Holy Ghost. They RECEIVED!
The Samaritans
did not tarry for the Holy Ghost. Peter and John prayed for them, laid hands on
them and they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:15-17). In the tenth chapter of
Acts, the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the Word, even as it was being
preached.
At Ephesus, there
was no long waiting, or tarrying, after they came to the knowledge of the truth.
As soon as they had obeyed the Word, Paul laid his hands upon them, and they
were filled IMMEDIATELY WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
It is not even
necessary to wait for the laying on of hands before you receive the Holy Ghost.
At the house of Cornelius, in Caesarea, all who heard the word received the Holy
Ghost WHILE PETER WAS YET SPEAKING! It is entirely scriptural to receive the
Holy Ghost during the preaching. Start worshipping God as soon as you come into
a service. Come quickly into His presence, with a thankful heart and praise on
your lips, expecting God to meet your need. Yield to the Spirit when you feel
Him coming upon you, and you can receive the Holy Ghost then and there, without
waiting.
We may liken this
experience to a man who is given a vessel, and told to go out and hold his
vessel up toward heaven until he has it filled with rain water. If the rain has
not started when the man goes out with his vessel, it is easy to see that he
will have to “WAIT” until it starts raining before he can fill his vessel.
However, if the rain is already pouring down, all he will have to do is to go
out where the rain is falling, keep his vessel right side up, and STAY THERE
WHILE IT GETS FULL!
In Zechariah and
James, the outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the natural rain that falls
from the sky.
“Ask ye of the
Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; . . .” Zech. 10:1a.
“Be patient
therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth
for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he
receive the early and latter rain.” James 5:7.
The rain began to
fall on the day of Pentecost. It is falling today. All you need to do now is to
get where the (spiritual) rain is falling, and get your vessel full! WAITING IS
NOT NECESSARY! WHY NOT BE FILLED NOW? THIS VERY MOMENT?
I do not want you
to think that I am discouraging prayer. I am not. Few today pray as much as they
should. There is a “waiting” upon God that is profitable and I certainly
encourage it. Isaiah said, “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be
weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isa. 40:31. Daniel prayed or
“waited” upon God for three whole weeks. (Dan. 10:2). Jesus Himself “ . . .
continued all night in prayer.” Luke 6:12b.
Certainly God’s
people everywhere today need to get back on their knees and wait upon God In
BELIEVING PRAYER! Waiting upon God in prayer will condition one’s heart for the
Holy Ghost. However, after one is ready to receive this experience, the promise
must then be claimed. The waiting or tarrying we should do today should be only
to condition our hearts in preparation FOR the Holy Spirit. In other words, let
us “wait” or tarry only as long as is necessary to get our vessel or “temple”
cleansed for the Spirit’s abiding place. Remember, He will come to dwell only in
CLEAN temples.
Waiting or
tarrying in itself alone will never fill one with the Holy Ghost. If that were
enough, then why have some people “tarried” or “waited” for thirty-five years
and are still waiting and have received nothing? Furthermore, they may never
receive unless they do MORE than wait. If “tarrying” alone were enough to
receive this experience, then EVERYONE who tarried WOULD BE FILLED! Thousands
declare that they have been “tarrying” for many years and with all their
tarrying, they have not received. This is evidence that one must DO MORE than
tarry. One must consecrate, obey, yield, believe, and RECEIVE! Why not NOW?
3. LIVE A HOLY
LIFE.
Sin and careless
living on the part of one who has been healed is an open invitation for the
unclean spirit to move back into the house from which he was driven out. Jesus
warned one whom He had healed instantly and miraculously, in these words: “ . .
. Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”
John 5:14b.
I am aware of the
fact that this is not the general teaching in most pulpits today. The people are
taught to expect to sin every day and repent every night. They are taught that
Jesus was truly a wonderful man, but no one now living can live as He lived, nor
walk as He walked.
But the Word of
God declares that, “. . . Even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should FOLLOW HIS STEPS:” I Pet.
2:21.
What are those
steps:
“Who DID NO SIN,
neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not
again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that
judgeth righteously:” I Pet. 2:22,23.
Few people today
believe in following “ . . . peace with all men, and holiness, without which no
man shall see the Lord:” Heb. 12:14. They have forgotten that God has said, “Be
ye holy; for I am holy.” I Pet. 1:16.
In an apologetic
manner, they tell us the Bible is good and wonderful -- but no one could really
be expected to live up to its standards. They say religion is fine, but be sure
you don’t get an overdose!
The Word of God
says, “BE YE HOLY:” I Peter 1:16.
Of course, at
this point you may remember some Scriptures you have heard quoted. Some
religious teacher has said, “There is none righteous, no, not one. All we like
sheep have gone astray. All our righteousness are as filthy rags. If we say we
have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” So you say,
“Are these not quotations from the Scriptures? How can you believe that we
should be holy in the face of all this?”
Yes, these are
indeed Scripture quotations, but do you know that not one of these quotations
applies to or has any reference to the man who has been born again, the man who
has had a change of heart, the CHRISTIAN? They pertain to man in his natural
state -- the unregenerate. None of us can say we NEVER sinned. The great Apostle
Paul declared of himself that (before his conversion) he had been the chief of
sinners. Indeed, “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans
3:23.
Had this not been
so, we would not have needed a Savior. There would have been no need for the NEW
BIRTH.
When I refer to
HOLY living, and of abiding in Christ, of walking as Jesus walked, I am not
talking to people who have never been born again. Of course, it is impossible
for man in his unregenerate state to walk as Jesus walked. It is impossible to
abide in Christ without first being born into Christ. No wonder some “religious”
leaders grasp so readily at those Scriptures. Having never themselves been born
again, they are still among the group to whom such Scriptures apply!
How eagerly they
hide behind such a scripture as Romans 3:10: “...There is none righteous, no,
not one:” I suggest that you read to the end of the portion of Scripture for the
rest of their description. “There is none that UNDERSTANDETH, there is none that
SEEKETH AFTER GOD. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become
unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. There throat is an
open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is
under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are
swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of
peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Rom.
3:11-18.
Certainly this is
not a description of a Christian!
Remember, it is
God’s Word which declares that “HE THAT COMMITTETH SIN IS OF THE DEVIL;” I John
3:8a.
A life of
habitual sin is not the life of a Christian. If we are of Christ, we do not sin
every day and repent every night. Rather, we trust the power of God to keep us
from sin. To the born-again Christian, sin is a tragedy, something to be
carefully avoided, and its scars and ravages repaired as quickly as possible. It
is unpleasant filth, and if a Christian becomes contaminated with it, he must be
cleansed as quickly as possible.
It is for this
reason we are told, “IF ANY MAN SIN, we have an advocate with the father.” I
John 2:1. (Note the word is IF, not WHEN.) We are encouraged to keep on trying
by the promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to CLEANSE us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” I John 1:9. (Not merely
the guilt or the punishment, but from the unrighteousness itself.)
Let me quote a
few more scriptures:
“Awake to
righteousness, and SIN NOT;” I Cor. 15:34a.
“Sin NO MORE,
lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14b.
“Go and SIN NO
MORE.” John 8:11b.
“My little
children, these things write I unto you, that ye SIN NOT.” I John 2:1a.
“What shall we
say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall
we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not that so many of us
as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we
are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness
of life . . . For he that is dead is FREED FROM SIN.” Rom. 6:1-4,7.
“And hereby we do
know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him,
and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But
whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know
we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to
walk, even as he walked.” I John 2:3-6.
“There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will
not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape that he may be able to bear it.” I Cor.
10:13.
Can these be the
words of the same God? Are such statements as these inconsistent with the
Scriptures declaring that there are none righteous? Or could it be that it is
indeed the same God speaking, but speaking of two entirely different groups of
people?
Yes, that is
exactly the case. One group of Scriptures refers to man in his natural, fallen,
degenerate state. The other group refers to the persons who are standing firmly
upon the promises of God, who have been born again and are no longer children of
the wicked one, but have been born into the household of God. Their very nature
is different. Their desires are different.
Certainly, it is
impossible for the man or the woman who has never been born again to live a life
of victory over sin. That person’s very nature cries out to do the things which
are not of God. The only thing that can take these desires out of the heart is
for that person to HAVE A NEW HEART!
Describing the
old, carnal, natural, sinful heart of man, Jesus said, “For from within, out of
the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye,
blasphemy, pride, foo1ishenss: All these evil things come from within, and
defile the man.” Mark 7:21-23.
It takes more
than water baptism to cleanse away these evil desires out of the heart. Church
membership will never do it. Signing a card will never do it. You will never be
able to overcome all these evil things by merely shaking a preacher’s hand.
Reformation can never do it, for so long as these evil desires are in the heart,
they will eventually break through again. There is only one way that these
things can be overcome: that is to be born again--to receive from God a NEW
HEART!
God has promised
to do just that. He says, “A NEW HEART also will I give you, and a new spirit
will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,
and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and
cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
Ezek. 36:26,27.
This is the only
way that we can ever do the things that are right in the sight of God. It is the
only way that we can ever abide in Christ, and live above sin. It is impossible
to abide in God and to live a life of joyful victory, until you have first been
born again.
Too many people
today join the church merely as a social organization instead of coming to
Christ to be truly born again, and to have a change of heart.
To that person
who has never been born again, it is hard even to conceive of any experience
that could make a man powerful enough to overcome the temptations of Satan, and
to live a life of real victory over sin. It is hard for him to believe that such
a life could possibly be lived without a constant struggle--too much of a
struggle for him to even attempt! Such a person, instead of seeking to overcome
temptation, may even seek to find, in the Scriptures, justification for
continuing to live in sin, and at a low spiritual level.
Thank God for the
way of escape which He has provided for any who really WANT TO ESCAPE from sin
and for those who want to live a holy life, to continue to abide in the Lord,
and to be ready when He comes!
To keep your
healing, it is important to live HOLY. If you do not do so, the danger is not
only that of being no better but even of being worse, (Matt. 12:43-45).
Therefore, it is easy to see the importance of abiding in faith, feeding upon
God’s Word, keeping in communion with God through prayer, and of resisting the
devil.
4. RESIST THE
DEVIL.
“Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7b.
The Christian
need not be in subjection to sin. “Sin shall not have dominion over you:” Rom.
6:14a. By faith, the Christian has power to refuse the temptations of Satan, and
his suggestions to sin. There is something more commendable than daily
repentance from sin, and that is daily victory over sin.
It is also
possible, by faith, to refuse sickness a place. There is something better than
being healed “many times,” especially of the same affliction, that is to get
healed and to stay healed.
If you ever
receive healing for your body, it will be by faith. You will also stay healed by
faith. Faith is joyful. The sick person who lacks faith is sorrowful because of
his pain and sickness. The sick person who has faith is joyful because of the
victory which he realizes is already bought, paid for, promised, and on the way.
He will be rejoicing and praising God from his heart, regardless of what he can
see or feel.
This kind of
faith cannot fail to bring healing. Satan is aware of the fact that faith is his
enemy, and constantly goes about to destroy faith. Whenever you feel any pain
which remotely resembles the pain of your previous disease, Satan will
immediately suggest to your mind that you either were never healed, or that you
were not completely healed, or that your healing did not last.
5. KEEP BELIEVING
GOD AND HIS PROMISES.
But if the
promises of God are bright and clear in your mind, and you still believe that
God meant just what He said, you will answer Satan, as did our Lord when He was
tempted. It is written, (Matthew 4:4,7, 10). By whose stripes ye were healed. (I
Pet. 2:24).
As you review by
faith the mighty promises of God, your heart will rejoice, even as it did when
you claimed His promise and received healing, and there will be praise in your
heart to God for His mighty deliverance. Stand upon a promise in God’s Word, and
praise God in the devil’s face. This is resisting the devil. He never has been
able to stay in the presence of this kind of faith, and he never will be able to
do so.
6. SEEK AN
ATMOSPHERE OF FAITH.
Seek an
atmosphere of faith. After you are healed, it is a mistake to go back into a
church where the pastor and teachers do not believe in the miracle-working power
of God. God describes these people and gives a warning concerning them in II
Tim. 3:5. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away.”
There are a
number of good churches where the full gospel is preached and God’s power is
recognized, not only to save but also to heal.
Identify yourself
with one of these groups where you can find food for your faith and where you
can freely give your testimony for the encouragement of others who may also need
deliverance.
7. TESTIFY TO YOUR HEALING AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY.
Your testimony is
important. Not only will it be a blessing and encouragement to others, but it
will be a help to you in overcoming the devil. (Rev. 12:11). As you give
testimony with your lips to the truth and reality of God’s promises, your faith
will increase, Satan will be driven farther back, and his chance of again
overcoming you will be lessened.
As Christ entered
a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers. They lifted up their
voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us . . . when he saw them, he
said, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they
went, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:13b,14.
Only one of the
ten returned to give God thanks and glory for his deliverance. “And one of them,
when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified
God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks:” Luke 17:15,16a.
Jesus asked the one who returned, “. . .Were there not ten cleansed? BUT WHERE
ARE THE NINE?” Luke 17:17b.
There should have
been ten returning and giving God glory, inasmuch as there were ten who were
miraculously healed. Only one out of ten came to give glory to Jesus for his
healing. What were the nine doing? The Scripture does not tell us, but it does
tell us WHAT THE NINE SHOULD HAVE DONE! They should have returned and glorified
Christ.
Many people
attend services night after night until they can go through a healing line and
receive healing for their bodies. Then they never return to testify to the
miracle that Christ may be glorified. There may be times when it is impossible
for some to return and testify, but they should write their testimonies and mail
them to those under whose ministry they were healed, so that God can receive the
glory.
Testily to your
healing in every public meeting possible.
Remember that
when Christ healed the man at Gadara, Jesus said to him, “Go home to thy
friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath
had compassion on thee.” Mark 5:19.
This testimony is
important. It will not only strengthen your own faith and help you overcome
Satan, but may also be the means of bringing deliverance to others who may be
encouraged to trust God.
WHO HAS POWER TO
HEAL?
During His
earthly ministry, Jesus healed “all manner of sickness and all manner of disease
among the people.” Matt. 4:23. The glorious ministry of deliverance begun by
Jesus was to continue through His disciples, His followers and His believers.
Jesus called unto
Him His twelve disciples and “gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast
them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and . . . disease.” Matt. 10:1. He
then sent them forth, “to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Luke
9:2.
“After these
things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them . . . into every
city and place,” Luke 10:1. He commanded these seventy to preach the gospel but
that was not all He commanded them to do. He said, “And heal the sick that are
therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” Luke
10:9.
At the close of
this journey, the seventy returned to Jesus with joy saying, “even the devils
are subject unto us through thy name.” Luke 10:17.
Before Jesus went
back to heaven, He left with His followers the mighty promise, “Verily, verily,
I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;
and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John
14:12.
Many preachers
who deny the miracle-working power of Jesus Christ in His church today admit
that Christ healed the sick, but declare that the day of miracles is past. They
claim that the sick cannot be healed by the power of God today because Jesus is
gone, but He plainly stated that His going DID NOT mean the end of miracles, but
rather an increase in miracles.
Jesus’ last
commission to those whom He left behind to carry on His work (Mark 16:15-18)
was, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they
cast out devils; . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover.” Matthew adds: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD.”
Matt. 28:20.
According to
Mark, as soon as he had spoken these words, Jesus was “received up into heaven,
and sat on the right hand of God. And they (the disciples to whom He gave this
commission) went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord WORKING WITH THEM, and
confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:19b, 20.
This was in
fulfillment of His promise in Matt. 28:20. Although it is indeed true that He is
in heaven, it is certainly scriptural to say that He is still WITH THOSE WHO
BELIEVE and PREACH HIS GOSPEL, for He said He would be, even unto the end of the
world! He is with them, confirming His word with the same signs following, that
are listed in Mark 16:17, 18.
After Christ
ascended into heaven, the church was born on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2).
That church, filled with the power of the Holy Ghost and endued with the gifts
of the Spirit, continued the same ministry Christ had begun. We find in Acts
3:2a, “a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid
daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful,”
When Peter and
John came by, they said, “Look on us.” Acts 3:4b. Peter continued, “Silver and
gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee; In the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6. Peter took him by the hand and lifted him
up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. “And he leaping
up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:8. Here we find the spirit-filled followers
of Jesus continuing the same glorious ministry of deliverance, even after Jesus
had returned to heaven.
The people were
filled with wonder and amazement at this mighty miracle that they had witnessed.
They had thought, even as do church members today, that since Christ Himself was
gone from the earth, they would see no more miracles. Many of them began to
ascribe divinity to those through whose hands the miracles had been wrought.
Peter, with rare but commendable humility, stopped them immediately, answering
them, “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on
us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk . . .
his (Jesus) name, THROUGH FAITH IN HIS NAME hath made this man strong, whom ye
see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect
soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:12,16.
No man has this
power IN HIMSELF, but it is available to EVERY BELIEVER.
“For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile
found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he
suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were
healed.” I Pet. 2:21-24.
The gifts of the
Spirit and the commandments of Christ to His followers cover ALL THE MIRACLES
THAT CHRIST EVER PERFORMED. He used no power that He did not make available to
His followers even unto the end of the world. (See I Cor. 12:4-11).
Stephen was a
deacon in the first church. He was, “full of faith and power, (and) did great
wonders and miracles among the people.” Acts 6:8. Philip, another of the first
deacons, went down to Samaria and preached Christ there. “And the people with
one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing
the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out
of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that
were lame, were healed.” Acts 8:6,7.
Twenty nine years
after the ascension of Christ, Paul was still healing the sick. (Acts 28:8, 9).
Although Paul was not among those who heard the commission and promises of Jesus
on the Mount of Olives before He ascended, “God wrought special miracles by the
hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or
aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of
them.” Acts 19:11, 12.
Here, perhaps it would be well to introduce a word of warning: the miracles of Paul became so outstanding that even some whose lives had not been purified by faith came to believe that miracles could surely be done in the name of Jesus. (Acts 19:13-18). These men had not been in contact with Jesus themselves but knew Him only as “Jesus whom Paul preacheth.” Acts 19:13. When they attempted to cast out demons in that name, they were recognized by the demons as men having no authority. These people believed the miracles they had seen Paul perform, but they did not have faith in God. They did not believe that God would work miracles by their hands because of His direct word to them. They did not prove their faith in God by believing His commands as well as His promises, and by living lives of consecration and holiness.
Many sincere
people today have met with disappointment and discouragement because they have
tried to appropriate God’s promises without being careful to fulfill His
commands. The name of Jesus is not a charm. It possesses no magic. But it does
possess power when used by those to whom He has given His “power of attorney” --
the right, to do business for Him in His name. This includes all those who truly
believe and act upon ALL of God’s Word.
The early church
was a powerful church because the members of that church believed God. They
believed in holy living because God said, “Be ye holy;” I Peter 1:16. They
feared sin because they had seen sin revealed through the gift of discernment,
and had seen liars struck dead for their sin. (Acts 5). They believed that they
could do miracles in the name of Jesus because He had said, “the works that I do
shall he do also:” John 14:12. And because they believed God, God worked with
them, confirming the word with signs and wonders. God has not changed. Any
church today can have the same power if they will meet the same conditions.
Twenty-six years
after the ascension of Christ, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth,
saying, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily
prophets, thirdly teachers, after that MIRACLES, then gifts of healings,” I Cor.
12:28a.
That same church
is still at work in the world today and will be until the trumpet sounds and the
first resurrection takes place. (I Thes. 4:13-18). As long as the church, its
pastors and members believe the Word of God, it will continue, in the mighty
name of Jesus, to heal the sick and to perform miracles. Jesus declared: “these
things shall follow them that believe: . . . they shall lay hands on the sick,
and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17a, 18b. The gifts of the Spirit have not been
confined to a few chosen people in the early church or to a few preachers today,
but as long as there is a believer on the earth, miracles can be performed in
the name of Jesus.
Nowhere in the Scripture is the ministry of healing limited to any particular time or to outstanding individuals. Even in the Old Testament, it was God’s plan that all that he had set as shepherds over His people should heal the sick. “Woe be to the shepherds of Israel . . . The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken,” Ezek. 34:2, 4a.
If God was so
displeased with the shepherds of Israel who did not heal the sick, what must be
His attitude toward the shepherds of His New Testament Church? They, who having
His commission to do the works that He did, not only refuse to heal the sick,
but criticize and persecute those who do!
There was more
power in Elisha’s dead bones (II Kings 13:21) than there is in some preachers
who are very much alive today. Although only one man was healed, by coming in
contact with Elisha’s bones, still, that is more than can be said for the entire
lifetime of many today who call themselves the shepherds of God’s flock. In
ministering to the Church of Jesus Christ, there was more power in Peter’s
shadow than in the bodies of many of those who claim to be his successors. (Acts
5). There was more power in handkerchiefs and aprons that had come in contact
with the body of Paul than in many great “fundamental” religious bodies today.
(Acts 19: 11, 12).
HAS GOD CHANGED?
No! The church Jesus purchased with His blood is still performing miracles and
healing the sick. Those who dare to believe God’s promises and stand on His word
can still, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, heal the sick.
God has given
those who believe, AUTHORITY over all devils and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1).
Many will declare that only God has that authority. In one sense, that is true,
but it is also true that God chose to delegate that authority to His Son.
Accepting that authority from the Father, Jesus, during His earthly ministry,
COMMANDED demons, unclean spirits, and diseases to depart. They recognized His
authority and were obedient to Him. Just before He returned to heaven Jesus
delegated the same authority to those who believe in His name. This gives the
true believer the right to use the name of Jesus in making requests to God and
in giving commands to demons and to disease. (See John 14:10-14).
There are very
few Scriptures which refer to praying for the sick. In most cases, a few words
of command, spoken by the one having authority, was all that was needed. Jesus
did not pray for the sick. He HEALED the sick, and COMMANDED THE DEMONS TO
DEPART, Peter and John did not pray for the man at the beautiful gate of the
temple. They commanded him, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to rise up
and walk. (Acts 3:6). Paul first prayed, then laid his hands upon Publius’
father and HEALED him. (Acts 28:8).
Demons and
diseases are still subject to the commands in Jesus’ name of them that believe.
Since the day
that we recognized this truth in God?s Word, we have seen multitudes delivered
from demons and set free from all manner of sickness and disease at our command.
It is done in JESUS’ NAME, by the authority that God has promised to them that
believe.
Although, in the
majority of cases, the word of command in Jesus’ name is all that is necessary
to bring deliverance, there are also Scriptures that prove the necessity of
prayer in some cases. If, after you have gone through the healing line, hands
having been laid upon you and your disease commanded to depart, you still do not
receive deliverance, do not hesitate to take advantage of the provision in James
5:14-16. Your failure to be delivered may be the result of unconfessed sin. If
such be the case, confess your faults, ask the trusted elders to pray for you
that you may be delivered from both sickness and sin.
The true believer
in the Lord Jesus Christ is aware that God will not heal an unrepentant sinner
or an enemy of the cross. He will not knowingly use his authority to do anything
that Jesus Himself would not do if He were present in the body. Those who are
still in bondage to sin do well to first seek help in prayer that they may be
set free from sin. When they have done this, God’s promise is definite. “The
prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he
have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:15a.
Much sickness is
a direct result of demon oppression. (Acts 10:38). Jesus did not say, “pray for
the demon oppressed and demon possessed.” He said, “Cast out devils.” Mark
16:17. Prayer alone will not drive out demons. Fasting and prayer, seeking the
face of God, and repentance from all known sin is in some cases necessary to
prepare the hearts of both those who need deliverance and those who come in the
name of the Lord. So that they may be ready to enter the battle with Satan and
claim victory over him. Until those demons hear the word of command, given by
faith, in Jesus’ name, and by one who has authority to use that name, THEY WILL
NOT MOVE. They do not have to, and they know it.
The disciples had
been given authority over demons so long as they had faith. But when faith was
allowed to become dormant because of a lack of communion with God, they became
powerless. When they inquired of Jesus why they had failed, He replied, “Because
of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of
mustard seed, . . . nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind
goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matt. 17:20 ,21. Faith must be fed by
frequent times of being shut away with God, with all the demands of the flesh
set aside -- times of fasting and prayer -- in order that it may be strong to
overcome the power of Satan and deliver those who are oppressed of the devil.
Satan was
defeated at Calvary. But he refuses to acknowledge defeat unless he must. The
ground must be taken step by step. To be able to do this, the Spirit-filled
minister today must have real faith in Calvary’s victory over Satan, must live a
life out of touch with sin, must not be concerned with any personal gain, but
stand only for God’s right against Satan. There must be no uncrucified flesh in
his life. Then and then only will Satan admit his defeat.
It is surprising
that some good people desire to be able to exercise this power, yet they reject
the source of that power, THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST. Jesus Himself did not
do any miracles or cast out any demons until first God had anointed Him with the
Holy Ghost and with power. (Acts 10:38, John 2:11). His promise to the disciples
was, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: .
. .” Acts 1:8.
The early church
was a powerful church because it was a Spirit-filled, Godcentered, God-fearing
church. Only when God can find a group of people who answer this description
today will revival come. God has not withdrawn the delegation of His authority
over demons and disease from those who believe Him. He expects His people to
obey his commands, claim His promises, act upon their faith,
