Jesus shed His blood to forgive sins, but at the same time His body was broken beyond recognition (Isaiah 52:14), so we could be made whole, "by His stripes we were healed (1 Peter 2:24)." Many people know this truth until they get a diagnosis for cancer or some other ailment, then the real battle of the mind begins.
We may also know that 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 reveals that in this war we have supernatural power for "pulling down strongholds, casting arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." Since God's thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55) are not our thoughts and ways, it is necessary to renew the mind or our way of thinking to prove that "good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Jesus promised, and He has kept that promise, to send the Holy Spirit to teach us all things so we have the mind of Christ.
Here lies the problem: many of us are aware we aren't good enough, haven't prayed enough, and in short, don't deserve to be healed. We think we need to convince God to heal us. Number one, it is already done, it is finished, the price has been paid in full. Number two, God delights to show mercy (Micah 7:18) because that is part of His nature and His mercy endures forever. He heals because He loves and cares about us. So rather than trying to persuade God to heal, we are called to agree with God that it is done. What we are actually doing is standing with God against the devil and his attack on our bodies, which happens to be God's temple. God wants to confirm His Word and is waiting on us to stand with the authority He has given, so He can crush Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20).
Therefore, each time we declare "by His stripes I am healed (Isaiah 53:4)," or realize His benefits "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all my iniquities, who heals all my diseases (Psalm 103:2) " or enable the Holy Spirit by saying "the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead gives life to my mortal body (Romans 8:11)" we are agreeing with God against the devil. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and He never changes, He continues to destroy the works of the devil as we declare His Word. Don't give up or shrink back by thinking maybe I don't believe enough, just depend on the simple stated principle of Hebrews 6:12, "faith and patience inherit the promises." God is faithful to keep HIs promises.
1 Peter 5:8-10 reminds us that the devil is looking for someone to devour and then instructs us to "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to HIs eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."
Fight the good fight of faith and let God complete His good work in and through you. Be healed , in the name of Jesus! Praise God forever!
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