1 Corinthians 12:9, “…to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit.”
The fourth spiritual gift that Paul mentions is the “gifts of healing.” The gifts of healing are, “a supernatural manifestation of God’s healing power.” This gift comes in many forms because it responds to the many ways a person can be sick. The gifts of healing are pluralistic and are able to meet every need. This gift can even be used to cast out an evil spirit that brings sickness or it can be given to heal emotions that have been hurt because of past traumatic events like depression and anxiety. Howard Carter said, “Where all the gifts of healing are in operation, all classes of disease could be healed.”
The entire New Testament, especially the gospels and the book of Acts, are overflowing with examples of the gifts of healing. Both Jesus and the disciples were recorded as healing the blind, cleansing the lepers, making the lame walk and even raising the dead. Jesus said that these gifts of healing would follow all His disciples. He said in Mark 16:17-18, “17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Anyone who believes and prays like Jesus taught, can see the same kind of healings found in the Bible; and even greater in number than Jesus did on earth (John 14:12).
Modern day examples of the gifts of healings would be the many times Christians have prayed for others to be healed from sickness, depression, anxiety and blindness; and God answered with total healing. Sometimes people are not healed, but this should never stop our faithfulness to pray for the sick. God didn’t say to only pray when we “feel like it” or “understand everything.” Instead He commanded that whenever we encounter a sick person we should pray for healing. And when the gifts of healing are present people will recover!
God said in James 5:14-15, “14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” The gifts of healing are present whenever the Holy Spirit gives people the power to heal in Jesus name; especially in the church. When it’s your turn to pray for the sick, with the laying on of hands with oil; don’t doubt, only believe!
Reflection
Action
- Ask God to give you the gifts of healing to pray for the sick and see them recover.
- Next time you see a sick person, pray for their healing!
- Give God the glory when you see Him heal people through your obedience.
