Healing and Deliverance
Share
Healing and Deliverance
Main Verses
Matthew 8:16-17 Healing and deliverance in Jesus’ ministry.
Matthew 12:43-45 Teaching about evil spirits.
Mark 5:1-17 Jesus frees a demon-possessed man.
Mark 9:14-29 Jesus casts out a demon from a boy with seizures.
Mark 16:16-18 Healing and deliverance are signs of believers.
1 Corinthians 12:9-10 Gifts of healing, miracles, and distinguishing between spirits.
James 5:14-16 Anointing with oil and praying for the sick by the elders.
Divine Healing of Diseases
There are many promises of healing from diseases in the Bible. The JEWS in the Old Testament were given promises of healing (Psalm 103:1-5), as well as protection from disease (Exodus 15:26). The Bible identifies SATAN as the source of sickness (Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38). Jesus said that one of the reasons He was anointed with the HOLY SPIRIT and power was in order to heal (Luke 4:17- 18; 5:17). The Bible says that Jesus healed all the sick (Matthew 8:16), and that He healed every disease and sickness (Matthew 4:23). Jesus’ disciples also were given this power to heal (Matthew 10:1,8; Mark 6:7,13; Luke 10:9). Jesus included healing as one of the signs of those who believe (Mark 16:18), and we see healing all through the book of Acts. James expected the church to pray for the sick and see them become healed (James 5:14-16). Among the gifts of the Holy Spirit are the gifts of healing and of miracles (1 Corinthians 12:9-10,28). Many healings occurred in the early church during the time of the APOSTLES and for several centuries afterward.
Many Christians believe that God still heals today, just as He did in the past. They point to Hebrews 13:8, where the writer says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever; and they point to Mark 1:40-41 to show that Jesus was always willing to heal. Many Christians around the world today claim to have been healed by divine power, and many others claim to have seen such healings. They point to the prophecies in the Old Testament that said the Savior would not only carry our sins on the CROSS but also our sicknesses (Numbers 21:8-9; Isaiah 53:4-5). The section from Isaiah Chapter 53 actually says in the Hebrew1 that He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases, and it is quoted that way in Matthew 8:17. If Jesus took both our sins and our sicknesses on the cross, we should expect that God would continue to heal today just as He is continuing to forgive sins. These Christians believe that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not a physical illness, but an actual messenger of Satan (2 Corinthians 12:7). Many believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still available to Christians today, and included among them are the gifts of healing and miraculous power (1 Corinthians 12:9-10). Some of these Christians believe that we should expect all our diseases to be healed by God. Others believe that healing is available for most diseases, but that we should not expect every one of them to be healed.
Other Christians believe that God no longer heals by supernatural means today, but only uses doctors and medicines to heal people. Most Christians throughout church history have not seen someone healed by supernatural means. Thus they believe that this divine healing power was given only to the Christians of the first few centuries of the church’s existence. These Christians point to Paul himself who left behind a sick friend (2 Timothy 4:20), and they interpret Paul’s thorn in the flesh to be a physical illness (2 Corinthians 12:7), possibly an eye disease (Galatians 4:15). They interpret Matthew 8:16-17 to mean that Jesus took our infirmities while He was on earth healing people, but that He only took our sins on the cross. They believe that Jesus did not die on the cross for both our sins and our sicknesses, but only for our sins.
A third view is that the truth lies somewhere between these two main views. Those who think this believe that both views are partly true. For a related topic, see General Article: Holy Spirit Baptism.
Praying for Healing
In the Bible people were healed in many different ways. Jesus said that we must “ask” in order to receive (Matthew 7:7; James 4:2). Jesus told many that their FAITH had healed them (Matthew 8:10-13; Mark 10:52), and the apostles did likewise (Acts 3:16). Others were healed through their “obedience” (2 Kings 5:114; Luke 17:14; John 9:7). Many paralytics were healed through a “word of command” given by Jesus or one of the apostles (Mark 2:10-11; John 5:8; Acts 3:6; 14:10). Jesus told His disciples to “claim His promises” (Mark 11:2224; John 14:13-14). Many illnesses were healed by “anointing with oil” (Mark 6:13), and James advised the elders of the church to anoint the sick person with oil to bring about healing (James 5:14-16). Many were healed by the “laying on of hands” with prayer (Mark 6:5-6; Luke 4:40; Acts 28:8), and Jesus said that those who believe would lay hands on the sick and they would recover (Mark 16:16; Hebrews 6:1-2). Some unusual healings occurred by the “touch” of Jesus’ clothes (Luke 6:19; 8:43-46), Peter’s shadow (Acts 5:15), and Paul’s handker-chieves and aprons (Acts 19:12). At least once, “repeated prayer” by Jesus was necessary (Mark 8:22-25).
However, one should not refuse modern medicine or other scientific treatment. God can heal directly, but often He uses some “means” to bring healing. He has used touch, oil, and even mud (John 9:6-7). In the same way, medicine should also be viewed as a means of healing. Paul advised Timothy to use wine as a medicine for his stomach and his frequent illnesses (1 Timothy 5:23). Paul called Luke, the doctor who accompanied him on his missionary journeys, our dear friend Luke, the doctor (Colossians 4:14). Therefore, we should not seek healing only from God directly, or only from “means” such as medicine and doctors; rather we should seek healing both directly from God and also from medicine (2 Kings 20:5-7), and then thank Him for whatever way He chooses to heal us.
Many reasons are given to explain why some people are not healed. The main reason for an unanswered prayer is unbelief, whether it be our own unbelief (Mark 9:23-24), or the unbelief of those trying to heal us (Matthew 17:19-20), or the unbelief of others around us (Mark 6:5-6). There may be unconfessed sin (John 5:14; James 5:16), such as unforgiveness (Mark 11:2425), disobedience (2 Kings 5:1,8-14), or a wrong relationship with one’s spouse (1 Peter 3:7). Partaking of the LORD’S SUPPER in an improper manner or without confession of sin can also result in illness (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). Some do not even ask for healing (James 4:2), either because they don’t know or because they don’t believe that it is available. If we misuse our bodies or refuse other means of healing which God provides, we may be “testing” God, which is forbidden (Matthew 4:6-7).
Sometimes it may not be the right time for healing. For example, Jesus did not go immediately to heal a sick friend, but later raised him from the dead (John 11:6,43-44). In that way Jesus was able to do a greater miracle. To demonstrate His own power, God may wait many years before healing someone and then use a special person or a special means to perform the healing (Mark 9:29; John 5:5-9; 9:3). Or God may give an individual only a certain length of time to live. In the Old Testament, God gave Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life and no more (2 Kings 20:5-7).
Of course, the diagnosis may also be wrong; we may be thinking a person has a physical illness when, in fact, he has a problem with an evil spirit or DEMON.
Deliverance from Demons
As with physical illness, there are many promises in the Bible of deliverance from Satan and his demons or evil spirits. Jesus said that one of the reasons He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power was to release the oppressed (Luke 4:18). Everywhere He went, He drove out demons from those who were oppressed (Matthew 4:24; Mark 1:34; 3:11). Jesus gave this authority to drive out all demons to His original twelve disciples and later to seventy-two others (Luke 9:1; 10:1,17-19). Jesus included the casting out of demons as one of the activities of those who believe (Mark 16:17), and we see this throughout the book of Acts (Acts 5:16; 8:7; 16:18; 19:11-12). Among the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of distinguishing between spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10).
Demons are not the spirits of dead persons that have come back to oppress people on earth. The Bible teaches clearly that the spirits of dead men and women go to heaven to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23), or to hell to await the final JUDGMENT (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:5,13).2 Demons are evil or unclean spirits (Matthew 10:1; 12:43), who are the servants of Satan (Matthew 12:2627; Mark 3:22-26). Satan and his spirits were created by God, but later rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:13-17). Demons are very numerous and are found everywhere in the world (Mark 5:9; Ephesians 6:12). They can enter and control both men and animals; indeed, they do not like to remain outside a body (Matthew 12:43-45; Mark 5:2,12-13). They recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God (Mark 1:23-24,34; Acts 19:15), and in that sense they “believe” in Christ (James 2:19); but they know their own final fate will be “torment” in the Abyss (Matthew 8:29; Luke 8:31). Paul said that sacrifices offered to idols are, in fact, offered to demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-21).
Sometimes a person is actually “possessed” by an evil spirit, meaning that his own personality is suppressed by the personality of the evil spirit who is “ruling” that person’s mind and body (Mark 5:15-16). But many times the person is not completely “ruled,” but only “attacked” or “oppressed” in mind and body by the evil spirit (Matthew 9:32; 12:22; Mark 9:17-29; Luke 6:18).
All Christians know that believers cannot be possessed completely by an evil spirit, since believers are ruled and owned by God Himself (1 Corinthians 6:1920). However, many Christians think that believers can be “oppressed” or “attacked” by evil spirits within them. They point to Paul’s messenger of Satan that tormented his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7), and to Paul’s warning to believers not to be participants with demons by eating food sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 10:20-22). They point to the many people who had physical illnesses possibly caused by demons and who were brought to Jesus for deliverance (Mark 3:10-11; Luke 6:18-19). They believe that not all of them were totally ruled by the evil spirit, but that some were only oppressed by an evil spirit within. Christians can be influenced by evil spirits, even to the point of believing their lies and teaching (1 Timothy 4:1-3); and Paul warns us that our constant fight is not against flesh and blood but with these evil spirits (Ephesians 6:12). We must test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1-3).
Other Christians, however, think that believers can never have an evil spirit within them. They say that the Holy Spirit and an evil spirit cannot exist inside a believer at the same time (1 Corinthians 6:19). Some of these Christians believe that a true Christian can never be attacked by an evil spirit at all. Others think that an evil spirit can attack or influence a believer from the outside, but cannot enter inside that believer’s body.
The matter is important, because it determines how we pray for others. If a believer can have a demon, he will need to have the demon cast out of his body to obtain full freedom from certain illnesses and emotional problems, or to obtain victory over certain sins. We must remember, however, that most sins are the result of our own sinful nature, and not the result of a demon or of Satan (Gal-atians 5:19-21).
Commanding Deliverance in the Name of Jesus
Whether or not a Christian can have a demon, we at least need to know how to deliver other non-Christian people from Satan and his evil spirits. All Christians need the full armor of God, the parts of which are listed in Ephesians 6:10-17: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and God’s word. Prior to deliverance, preparation in prayer is very important (Mark 9:28-29; Ephesians 6:18). Some Christians believe that Mark 9:29 should be translated “by prayer and fasting” and not “by prayer” alone, and that a special dedicated time of prayer is essential for a deliverance ministry to be successful. If possible, prayer for deliverance should be done in a group rather than alone. All those who undertake a deliverance ministry should be mature spiritual Christians (see Acts 19:13-16).
There must be a time of consideration with the afflicted person beforehand. If the person is not a Christian or shows no interest in becoming a Christian (which would leave him without the Holy Spirit’s power) or cannot be followed afterward, we should be very cautious about praying for such a person’s deliverance. A short quick prayer may leave the person worse off than he or she was before (Matthew 12:43-45). Some think that a person should not be delivered if any existing idols are not taken out of his home or destroyed (Acts 19:19). Otherwise, the evil spirit can easily return.
Many physical illnesses may have a demonic component. But many mental or physical illnesses may seem as if they are demonic in origin, but are not. For example, seizures can seem like demonic activity, but usually they are caused by a physical illness in the brain. An important help is the gift of being able to distinguish spirits, a gift which comes from the Holy Spirit and enables one to identify the demon oppressing or possessing an individual (1 Corinthians 12:10).
The actual deliverance should begin with a prayer for protection for those taking part in the deliverance, all of whom must be believers (Acts 19:13-16). Then Satan and his forces should be bound (Matthew 16:19; 18:18), and the afflicted person should renounce any sin that may be involved. Prayer for healing is usually a “request” to God for healing (and may be silent prayer in the heart); but deliverance is a “command” given to the demon in the name and authority of Jesus Christ (Luke 10:17; Acts 16:18; 19:13-16). However, there is no need for shouting loudly; the demon cannot be scared out of a person. The demon is commanded to leave the person without harming him or anyone else and to go to Jesus Christ Himself for judgment (Jude 9). The name of Jesus is very powerful and will usually cause immediate deliverance, so that the person will know he is free.
This deliverance should be immediately followed by a prayer that the delivered person might be filled with God’s love and His Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:43-45). Of course, the delivered person should become a child of God if he is not already. He should also be taught to resist Satan and to avoid the sin that may have allowed the demon to enter his life (James 4:7; 1 John 1:9). The main reasons that may block full deliverance are unbelief (Matthew 17:16-20), rejection of Christ, failure to renounce any associated sin, such as unforgiveness, and failure to distinguish or identify the spirit (that is, trying to deliver a person who does not have an evil spirit).
Summary
Both healing and deliverance demonstrate God’s love to us,3 and His concern not only for our spirits but also for our minds and bodies. God is ready to heal our diseases and weaknesses, and to deliver us from bondage. God desires that we enjoy good health and that all may go well with us (3 John 2).
1 The Old Testament was written originally in the Hebrew language.
2 For further discussion of this, see General Article: What Happens After Death? in The Applied Old Testament Commentary.
3 For further discussion of God’s supernal ural power, see Ganeral Article: Miracles and the Laws of Nature, in The Applied Old Testament Commentary.