When someone has a sickness or affliction, it is usually caused by one of three things:
1. As a result of the fallen earth we live in:
“Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. (John 9:2, 3 NLT)
2. Sin in the victim’s life:
Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” “So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (Matthew 9:2, 6 NLT)
3. Evil Spirits:
One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then He touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God! (Luke 13:10-13 NLT)
“That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons.” (Mark 1:32-34 NLT)
I cover the first two causes in one of my previous posts entitled ‘Sin and Sickness’. The third cause I would like to cover now. Notice how I do not say reasons for the sickness or affliction because there can be one out of 1001 reasons why. Paul had a ‘thorn in the flesh’ which was caused by an evil spirit (messenger of Satan). Apparently it was to keep him from becoming proud because of the revelations he was given. Paul sought the Lord three times to take it away. The Lord did not and only told Paul that His grace was sufficient.
When I look around me, all I see is sickness, disease, affliction and illnesses. It is rampant. My family had to make a visit to the hospital recently. They saw people that had to be placed in the hallways because there was not enough room. The place was overflowing. Mental problems are at an all time high. How much is caused by evil spirits because Satan is on a rampage as the end times are fast upon us?
When Doctors look at someone with a medical problem they order tests that use the most modern tools of medical science to find what is physically causing the problem. Once they find what is physically causing the problem they assume it is also the source of the problem. Many times it is not the true source of the problem. The source may be evil spirits. What the tests reveal may only be the after effect which was brought on by an unseen enemy that does not show up on any medical tests. But, because a problem shows up in a test and an evil spirit doesn’t, even Christians are fooled that it is simply a medical problem and not an affliction from the demonic world.
The pharmaceutical companies are rejoicing all the way to the bank and the demonic world is laughing at its feats. Drugs are only a bandaid that try to keep most problems under control without ever curing it. Almost everyone I work with is on some sort of daily prescriptions with no end in sight. They are slaves for life.
When looking over Jesus’s ministry for His last three years on this earth, I find it amazing of how many of His miracles and healings involved casting out evil spirits. The Bible leads us to believe that every time Jesus dealt with people who had mental problems, evil spirits were cast out. That is probably why the last of Jesus’s words, before His ascension, declare, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.” (Mark 16:17 NKJV)
Do not take what I am saying wrong. Not all problems need to have evil demonic spirits cast out. That is where the gift of discerning the spirits is needed.
Discernment is a vital part of any healing ministry. (Please see one of my previous posts entitled ‘Discernment’). Discernment is necessary to find the true source of the problem, then how to deal with it properly.
Smith Wigglesworth, who was documented in the first half of the last century with countless healings, said of himself, “I have a body in perfect condition and have nothing to ask for, and I am sixty-five.”
My prayer is this, “Father, make me physically, spiritually, and mentally sound. Give me discernment and power. Help me as I minister to those around me. May people be healed and set free from the chains of affliction. May demons flee at the sound of the name of Jesus. Use me as an instrument to bring victory into people’s lives. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”
Annointing 