Biblical Answer

The Bible's Teaching on Healing

The Bible presents a multifaceted view of healing, encompassing various aspects and forms. In Isaiah 58:8, God promises that healing will spring forth quickly, and righteousness will precede His people, with the glory of the Lord as their rear guard. This verse suggests a supernatural and immediate form of healing, which is a hallmark of God's intervention in the lives of His people. Similarly, Jeremiah 33:6 declares that God will heal His people and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

Forms of Healing

The Bible identifies three primary forms of healing: the supernatural, the miraculous, and the ordinary. The supernatural form of healing is a direct intervention of God, where He works without the use of means or natural laws. This is evident in Jesus' healing of a woman with a twelve-year chronic disease, where He said, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace" (Mark 5:34). The miraculous form of healing involves God's intervention through the use of means, such as prayer, fasting, or anointing with oil (James 5:14-16). The ordinary form of healing is a natural process, where God works through the natural laws of the universe to restore health and wholeness.

Principles of Healing

Two key principles emerge from the biblical teaching on healing. Firstly, healing is not always guaranteed, and God's will is not always to heal everyone. Jesus taught that it is not always God's will to grant special faith for healing, and sometimes God chooses not to heal (John 15:7). Secondly, the gift of healing is a spiritual gift that can be exercised by believers, but it is not a guarantee of healing. The Bible teaches that prayer and faith can play a significant role in healing, but ultimately, it is God who chooses how and when to heal. Therefore, believers should approach healing with a deep trust in God's sovereignty and a willingness to submit to His will. By doing so, they can experience the supernatural, miraculous, and ordinary forms of healing that God has promised in His Word.