My husband and I began praying for the sick on a regular basis at our church. Alan had suffered a number of physical ailments over the years, which set us on a search for a cure. We needed to examine what the Bible says about healing.
My husband used to have anxiety attacks and irregular heartbeat. I frequently took him to the hospital at 1 a.m. with severe symptoms of rapid heart palpitations. He thought he was having a heart attack. After a litany of tests in the emergency room, however, nothing seemed abnormal. On one occasion, he wore a heart monitor for three days without incident. It was puzzling, but these attacks continued to occur at random. Finally, on one occasion, I tired of this routine. Of course I was concerned for my husband’s well being, but I prayed for him on the way to the hospital. I told him I felt absolutely no anxiety about this attack. I believed he was experiencing real symptoms, but his anxiety was not rooted in biology. He must fight the fear, which triggered his symptoms. I prayed for him confidently and he immediately responded. As he did, it went away instantly. We turned around and came home.
That night I had a dream about a man who resembled a disheveled vagabond. He ran at me with a cardboard box, which he beat with a drumstick right in my face to intimidate me. I slammed the door in his face. I then woke up and asked the Lord, “What was that?” I heard faintly, “a spirit of anxiety.” In other words, this spirit was trying to harass us, and although he made a commotion, was not truly dangerous. This was an inconceivable revelation to both of us at this time. The repeated emergency room trips were completely avoidable. I then clearly realized I must treat these episodes fearlessly, without being concerned about my husband’s health.
From that point forward, I rejected Alan’s anxiety attacks as anything other than demonic oppression. As I did this, I was in effect slamming the door on this continued torment. The prayer of authority had driven this tormenting spirit out. He would not rattle us again. We also saved a lot of money by not traipsing to the hospital in the middle of the night. I realized that healing and deliverance were often closely associated. Acts 10:38 speaks of God anointing Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around healing all who were oppressed by the devil. I found approximately forty percent of healings were also deliverances in scripture.
The experience of false manifestations was a huge discovery for us both. I learned that the enemy can actually imitate symptoms of illness even if we are well. We need to vigilantly guard our conviction about healing to maintain it. We were becoming more discerning; We would rely on the truth of scripture rather than our feelings.
I soon discovered a passage, which supported my new belief. At the time of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, God told Aaron and Moses to perform a miracle in front of Pharaoh by throwing down their staff and it would become a snake. (Ex. 7: 8-12) As they obeyed and did so, Pharaoh summoned his sorcerers and magicians and they were able to imitate the staff turning into a snake. However, Exodus 7:12 reports that Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staff proving the supreme power of the Lord over anything counterfeit!
The same principle applies to healing. Though the enemy is able to counterfeit symptoms, when we stand in our healing on the Word, God will prevail.
This is the main scheme of the enemy when we pray for the sick. The person receiving prayer often experiences relief and healing. Frequently however, when they walk out our door, the enemy tries to re-establish this same sickness. The reappearance of symptoms convinces the person that they are no longer healed. Thus, the vicious circle begins again.
In order to hold our healing, we must realize this and continue to stand on the Word. Claim your authority over the enemy, persevering until he knows you believe you are healed, despite any symptoms. Then he must give up his territory. He is already a defeated foe. Reinforce the victory by faith! Find a scripture to stand on. Remember Moses’ staff swallowed the sorcerers and that God is greater in you. Speak your healing into being.
(Nahum 1:9, I Jn 4:4, Romans 4:17)
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