PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip,
BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
THE
BIBLE AND HEALING MINISTRY {Part 4}
Hindrances to Divine Healing
Presented
by: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Devotional Text: James
5:14-15
INTRODUCTION:
Worried by the disheartening scenario that,
the present day Christianity does not produce the healing results of the Old Testament
and the Apostolic Era of the New Testament Church, a keen observer queries why
a lot of people who attend healing campaigns today, go home unhealed or
disappointed, as he expresses a hearty desire to find out if the problem is
from the preacher or the sick individuals. This forms the basis of the unit of
the lesson under review, which is an attempt to draw the attention of the
people of GOD to what constitute hindrances to DIVINE healing. No controversy,
faith is the means to every DIVINE blessing, including healing. According to
the Holy Scripture... ‘The prayer of faith shall save the sick...’ {James
5:15}. And, anything that poses obstacle to faith, definitely, can hinder
healing. There are three obstacles of faith, namely; fear {Luke 8:50; Mark
5:36}, doubt {Luke 11:23; James 1:8}, and unbelief {Matt.17:20; 13:58}, which
this lesson stands out to show how they, and other factors hinder DININE
healing.
GENERAL
REMARKS
(1)
The major
booster of DIVINE healing is faith, expressed through prayer, {James 5:15}
(2)
Where there
is no faith in the exercise of prayer for the sick, no DIVINE healing comes,
{vs. 15}
(3)
In the
exercise of faith for DIVINE healing, the one who prays and the one prayed for,
should
demonstrate a common faith, for healing to
take place, {vs. 15}
(4)
Hindrance to
DIVINE healing could occur when there is a break-down of faith, from either the
healer or the client, {vs. 15}
THE ONE WHO PRAYS FOR THE SICK
AND HINDRANCES TO DIVINE HEALING
The fear that someone being prayed for may
not survive certain health challenges is one of the factors that militate
against DIVINE healing. This occurs when a given ailment, in the inner lens, or
spiritual eye, of the faith-healer overwhelms his sense of faith, when he
should fix his faith on the LORD our GOD, who is the GOD of all impossibilities
{Matt. 19:26}, instead of focusing on the seeming helpless situation of a
victim of a disease. To this end, JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED HEALER is
known to be in constant victory over fear, as HE always urges the sick or
members of their families not to be afraid {Luke 8:50}. And so, one who prays
for the sick must endeavour to overcome fear, if positive healing result must
come, {vs. 50}. In this connection, therefore, this lesson opines that one in
healing ministry of the LORD must strictly:
(i)
Overcome the
grip of fear in one’s life, and in the lives of doubting observers, {Matt.
5:36-43}.
(ii)
Believe
that, with GOD, all things are possible, {Matt. 10:27}
(iii)
Bear in mind
that, without faith, it is impossible to please GOD, {Heb. 11:6}.
THE SICK PERSON AND HINDRANCES TO
DIVINE HEALING
Doubt, is one of the the obstacles of the faith of the sick person, who
seeks DIVINE healing. On this note, the Holy Scripture urges that, ‘one who
asks must believe and not doubt, because one who doubts is like a wave of the
sea, blown and tossed by the wind. And, one who doubts should not think one
would receive anything from the LORD...’{James 1:8}. It is common knowledge
that most individuals who seek DIVINE healing at healing campaigns go there in
outright doubt or double-mindedness, and so, go home disappointed, since one
who doubts or is in double-mindedness cannot receive anything from the LORD,
{vs. 8}. But, JESUS CHRIST our LORD and SUPREME HEALER says... ‘I tell you the
truth, if anyone says to this mountain. Go, throw yourself into the sea, and
does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it
will be done for him’ {Matt. 11:23}. Based on the foregoing, this lesson
equally states that:
(i)
It amounts
to double-mindedness when one who seeks DIVINE healing approaches
a
faith healer or healing campaign venue with a sense of ‘who knows if GOD still heals today?’ {James 1:8}
(ii)
Outright
doubt is in place when the thought of ‘healing
may not be real today’ is in the heart
of one
who attends haling campaigns, {vs. 8}
(iii)
Outright
doubt and double-mindedness are major obstacles of DIVINE healing, for one who
seek healing, {vs. 8}
UNBELIEF, FEAR AND DOUBT ARE
COMBINE ATTACKERS OF THE FAITH
OF THE FAITH-HEALER AND THE ONE
WHO SEEKS DIVINE HEALING
Unbelief, fear and doubt, which have been
described as obstacles of faith, are always in a combined effort to hinder
DIVINE healing. They attack both the faith-healer and the sick person he tries
to help. But, unbelief is the worst evil against DIVINE healing, since it is a
blunt rejection of the LORD and HIS WORD. The Holy Scripture records that JESUS
CHRIST our BLESSED LORD and REDEEMER did not do many mighty work in certain
places because of unbelief {Matt.
13:58}, just as those who attend healing campaigns today in unbelief can never
receive DIVINE healing from HIM. Also, in this lesson, the fact of the
hindrances of fear and doubt to DIVINE healing have been stressed, in terms of
how each of them work against the faith-healer and the sick person who try to
access DIVINE healing. However, the point of the collaboration of doubt, fear
and unbelief in destroying faith which seeks to attract DIVINE healing requires special attention here,
since it is doubt which paves way for unbelief, as fear magnifies a given
health problem, making it look bigger than what can be solved by faith. Thus,
people {the faith-healer and the sick person alike} fail to access DIVINE
healing, during healing campaigns, when they harbour the concept of:
(i)
‘I don’t
believe it could happen’ {unbelief}- Matt. 13:58
(ii)
‘Is it true
that GOD still heals today?’ {doubt}- James 1:6-7
(iii)
‘I am
afraid, he may not survive’ {fear}- Luke 8:50
In conclusion, please, note that faith is the primary
thing in accessing DIVINE healing. For, ‘without faith, it is impossible to
please GOD...’ {Heb. 11:6}, and so, every obstacle of faith, that is, fear,
doubt and unbelief must be eliminated in the life of one who seeks DIVINE
healing {the healer or client} if a positive healing result must be achieved. DON’T MISS THE MARK!
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