Warning: This Is Word of Faith Teaching, Not Biblical Faith
This message contains enough Scripture to sound convincing, but Scripture is repeatedly taken out of context and used to support teachings the Bible does not give.
The most serious error is the claim that physical healing is already inside every born-again believer and that sickness must leave when we command the body to line up with God’s Word. The speaker even says that symptoms “had no choice” but to disappear.
Where does the Bible promise that?
Proverbs 4:20-22 teaches that God’s wisdom brings life and well-being to those who receive it. It does not teach that verses become spiritual medicine that guarantees physical healing when repeated three times a day.
Faith is not a force, and God’s Word is not a formula that places Him under our command.
Paul prayed three times for his affliction to be removed, but God answered, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” ~2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul left Trophimus sick at Miletum ~2 Timothy 4:20. He told Timothy to use a little wine because of his stomach and frequent illnesses ~1 Timothy 5:23.
Why did Paul not simply command every sickness to leave?
Because God never gave every believer authority to command every illness out of the body.
God can heal. We should pray for healing. But healing is according to God’s will, not our spoken commands. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” ~1 John 5:14.
The speaker also misuses, “Faith without works is dead.” James 2 is about genuine faith producing obedience and good works. It is not teaching that speaking to symptoms activates healing. That meaning is being added to the text.
The teaching about fear, anxiety, and depression is also dangerous. The claim that these struggles are simply lies from the enemy can shame suffering people and make them afraid to seek proper help.
Paul admitted, “Without were fightings, within were fears” ~2 Corinthians 7:5. Jesus said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” ~Matthew 26:38. Scripture does not teach that every fearful or sorrowful feeling is a demon, a lie, or proof that someone is yielding to Satan.
We are commanded to pray, trust God, renew our minds, and refuse to be ruled by fear. But the Bible does not deny that believers can experience deep emotional and physical suffering.
The statement that joining a mental-health support group will make a chemical imbalance stronger has no biblical basis. Scripture does not condemn receiving medical care. Jesus said, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick” ~Luke 5:31.
The speaker also turns John 10:10 into a promise of a healthy, secure, problem-free life. Yet Jesus told His disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” ~John 16:33. The abundant life is found in Christ. It is not a guarantee of freedom from sickness, sorrow, or hardship.
This is the great danger of Word of Faith teaching. It takes biblical words such as faith, authority, healing, confession, and promises, but gives them meanings Scripture does not give them. It places the burden on the suffering person. If healing does not come, they are left wondering whether they failed to speak correctly, believe strongly enough, or exercise enough authority.
That is not the gospel.
Biblical faith trusts God whether He heals immediately, heals through ordinary means, gives grace to endure, or waits until the resurrection to redeem the body.
We must not confuse confident speech with biblical faith. “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” ~Proverbs 30:6.
God’s Word is true. Word of Faith teaching is not.
I think the important distinction is between using medical care and putting our ultimate trust in medical care. Asa’s sin was not simply that he went to physicians. Scripture says, “Yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:12). The problem was that he did not seek the Lord. He placed his trust in the physicians instead of God.1 John 5:14 states: "And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
This is a new study for me:
The Bible does not explicitly command seeking medical advice from healers other than Jesus; rather, it presents medical practitioners and remedies as tools used by God for healing, while maintaining that God alone is the ultimate Healer.
Key biblical perspectives on this include:
In summary, while the Bible does not command seeking healers other than Jesus as the primary source of salvation or ultimate power, it permits and often encourages the use of physicians and medicines as means through which God provides healing and care.
- Luke as a Physician: The Gospel writer Luke is referred to as "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14), indicating that being a medical professional is compatible with faith and service to Jesus.
- Jesus’ Endorsement of Physicians: Jesus stated, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick" (Matthew 9:12), using the physician as a metaphor for His own spiritual ministry, thereby validating the role of medical care.
- Paul’s Medical Advice: The Apostle Paul advised Timothy to "use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments" (1 Timothy 5:23), demonstrating the acceptance of natural remedies and medical interventions.
- Context of 2 Chronicles 16:12: While King Asa is criticized for seeking physicians without seeking the Lord, the biblical consensus is that the sin was exclusive reliance on doctors rather than seeking God, not the act of seeking medical help itself. Christians are encouraged to seek God’s help along with appropriate medical treatment, not instead of it.
- Healing Through Others: The Bible encourages calling for the elders of the church to pray and anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14), showing that spiritual and physical care often intersect, but ultimate healing is attributed to God (Exodus 15:26).
I think the important distinction is between using medical care and putting our ultimate trust in medical care. Asa’s sin was not simply that he went to physicians. Scripture says, “Yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians” (2 Chronicles 16:12). The problem was that he did not seek the Lord. He placed his trust in the physicians instead of God.
There is nothing in Scripture that says receiving medical treatment is a lack of faith. Luke was called “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14), and Paul told Timothy, “Use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23). Paul did not tell Timothy to ignore his physical problems or simply command them to leave. He recommended an ordinary remedy.
Jesus also said, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matthew 9:12). He was making a spiritual point, but He used the work of a physician as something normal and legitimate.
James 5:14 tells the sick person to call for the elders of the church so they can pray and anoint him with oil. The passage clearly teaches us to seek God in prayer, but it should not be twisted into a promise that every sick person will be healed immediately. It also does not say that receiving medical care is wrong.
The biblical position is not that we should trust doctors instead of God, and it is not that we should reject doctors to prove that we have faith. We should seek the Lord, pray according to His will, use proper medical care when needed, and leave the results in His hands.
“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise” (Jeremiah 17:14).
Yes, you should pray earnestly to Christ about your health, but waiting upon the Lord does not mean refusing ordinary means of care while you wait for Him to act.Hi David,
The problem that I have been having over the years that my health has been on the line, is that I pray to Jesus for healing, and then go had hit the supplements.
I also alternative posts (youtube mostly) because my GP is only allowed 15 minute sessions, and we just keep going around in circles. It could be said that what is learned from alternative practioners online, is how our bodies work, and what the different symptoms of ailments and diseases are. Then once I am educated enough, I will go back to my GP, and ask her to do tests ... slowly we move forward.
My Biggest Concern now is whether I should be praying in earnest to Christ and Waiting for His healing?
This is a very difficult subject, and a growing Concern for many. There are so many opinions about this.
Advice on this would go a long way for me : )
Have a good weekend everyone!
Hi Bob,Keeping what Yesua88 shared on my heart,
I attend a Thursday morning Bible study. I'm the youngest at 69. The rest on in their 70s, 80s and the eldest, Bob, is 91. There's about 12 of us and we sit at a rectangular table.
Bob has been a Christian all his life and as he got older signs of his health began to break down. He walks with 2 canes, wears a hearing aid (but can still hear,) and is now legally blind. By God's grace he walks (but most of the time he gets a ride each week) and as he enters we help him to his chair.
All of Bob's physical abilities have deteriorated and his care assistant has to help him each day, however, the Lord is still using Bob to minister to his grown up sons, care assistant and share the application of the Gospel to the Bible study group. When he speaks he gets my attention. This ministers to me as I manage my type II diabetes and deal with other parts of my body as I age.
I feel many of us are in the same boat of life. But God keeps using us as He did with Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Job, etc...the Old and New Testaments and today. Granted, we're younger than Bob, but in our condition how can we still be used by God and will He make a way?
At times I don't feel like attending but I do and find afterward I'm happy I did and learn something.
God bless you, Yesua888, and we'll continue to keep you, your spirit and health in our prayers.
By the way, what is your GP and only allowed 15 minute sessions? Sorry, I don't know what that means.
Bob
Hi Bob,
Thank you for your kind words, and for sharing Bob's live and mission.
My GP is a general practioner who is only allowed to spend 15 minutes max with her patients. The sessions are rushed, and we never seem to get anywhere. Whether our illnesses are new to the medical fraternity or whether it is a time or inexperience issue, I am not certain. That is why I do so much of my own research, and have found that I have been absolutely clueless about my body. That is the good thing about strange illnesses; research teaches and along with that, the anatomy is learned.
Hope you are all having a good weekend xxx
Good morning, Yesua888;
I just learned this week that Australia has a universal healthcare system called Medicare, is free care and has a high ranking healthcare system.
I'm so out of touch regarding our country's healthcare. Though we have excellent doctors, it has a poor system mainly due to high costs, and access, etc...
I'm also out of touch because we are members of a private, insurance and healthcare hospital called Kaiser Permanente. It's an all in one care - private doctor, optometry, meds, everything. Our monthly premium is a senior category that is deducted monthly. We also have two locations close to home so all of our healthcare has been through Kaiser. Members also have their gripes of Kaiser for various reasons but we have always given thanks to the Lord for contentment of this benefit.
My question is, how to we approach healing...it is written because for most of us we do include medical care in our personal health maintenance.
I'd like to hear more thoughts on this subject.
God bless everyone.
Bob