Mè yéga distinction! As-salam alaykom (السلام عليكم) exception! Be this fertile soil, in which the seed, which is the word, watered with prayers, and nurtured by communion and obedience, bears many fruits and blessed multitudes. Receive the grace to preserve and transmit what the HOLY SPIRIT gives you.
Part 1: Healing the body
Few words and expressions
A quick reminder of the origins and causes of injuries and illnesses
Healing the body: diseases
Healing the body: injuries
Part 2: Healing the soul: analogy with healing the body
5. A little reminder: healing vs. restoration
6. Healing the soul: the essentials (Love, Truth, Faith, Communion, Commitment)
7. Healing the soul: the process
8. Healing the soul: analogy with healing illnesses
9. Healing the soul: analogy with healing physical wounds
❖ (Isaiah 1:6, NIV): " From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness, only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil."
❖ (Psalm 147:3, NIV): "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
❖ (Luke 4:18-19, NIV): “The SPIRIT of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.”
❖ (Romans 5:5, NIV) : " And hope does not put us to shame, because GOD’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the HOLY SPIRIT, who has been given to us."
❖ (Psalm 94:18-19, NIV): " When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."
❖ (Psalmes 103:1-5, NIV): " Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."
❖ (Psalm 116: 7-9, NIV): " Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living."
❖ (Mark 12: 29-31, NIV): “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our GOD, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
5. A little reminder: healing vs. restoration
If you haven't yet read the article on the wounds of the soul or those of the series What forgiveness is not, I urge you to do so.
Forgiveness is a decision. Healing and restoration are processes: sequences of actions (us) and interventions (GOD) carried out to achieve a result (healing, restoration, prevention). Processes can be miraculous, long, fast, accelerated, slowed down, completed, or unfinished. The more we grow in communion, understanding of the Word, faith in the Word, and obedience, the faster the healing and restoration.
Forgiveness frees from the offender. ⇒ Healing frees from offense. ⇒ Restoration frees from the consequences (direct and collateral) of the offense. Healing focuses on the effects of the offense on you (your soul). Restoration deals with the consequences the offense has had on your life. The soul is healed when the heart is free of resentment, pain, hatred, fear, denial, guilt, or hurt. The soul is restored when mental strongholds, thought patterns contrary to Truth, are overthrown. When GOD restores, he does more than put things back in good working order; he puts them back in better condition than they were yesterday.
Restoration goes further than healing. The goal of healing is in the present: to eliminate disease, heal wounds, and restore functioning. The goal of restoration is in the future: to restore, to rebuild, to redeem time. GOD heals because he loves. He restores because he is faithful. Healing is for those who believe in the word (Romans 8:17). Restoration is for those who abide in CHRIST and in whom the words abide (John 15:7). Restoration is for those who walk in communion and obedience.
Healing focuses on symptoms, while restoration develops the ability to resist, to prevent, to anticipate, to break the cycle of repetition. That's why the healed person bears witness. He tells what GOD has done. He who is restored does more than bear witness: he strengthens others by his character, his prayers, his words, and his actions. There are some things GOD saves us from, some things he keeps us from, and some things he makes us triumph over. Whatever the circumstances, let's not let go of his hand. He makes all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). He will allow trials, but he will not lose us or forsake us.
6. Healing the soul: the 5 essentials (Love, Truth, Faith associated with prayer, Communion, Commitment or consecration)
Five elements are essential for healing the soul, reversing? and replacing suicidal thoughts. They are the revelation of GOD's love, the revelation of truth, faith associated with prayer, communion with the HOLY SPIRIT, and personal commitment or consecration. You can replace revelation with understanding or awareness. By personal commitment, I mean choosing freely, sincerely, and continually, to the best of one's knowledge and understanding, to listen to the HOLY SPIRIT, to obey the Word, and to stay away from sin. In other words, to live intentionally. This includes, for example, choosing to be happy, leaving toxic environments, staying away from bad company, repenting, exercising the authority received from JESUS to cast out demons, cultivating gratitude, talking to GOD, and praising GOD even when in pain.
I can sum up the five elements in one sentence: read the Word, study the Word, meditate on the Word, commune with the HOLY SPIRIT, pray, and obey. GOD is in his Word. He reveals Himself through His Word. He speaks through His Word. He heals through His Word. He answers prayers made in faith and according to his will. The quality of the revelations we receive depends on the importance we give to GOD and His Word. JESUS says "... If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32, LSG) Suicidal thoughts are not reversed without a revelation of the word (rhema). Suicidal thoughts are replaced by revelations of the word (rhema). Oppression is not broken without a revelation of the word (rhema).
6.1_ The revelation of GOD's love
❖ Romans 5:8, John 3:16, Jeremiah 31:3, 1 John 4:18-19, Isaiah 49:15-16, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 6:37, Romans 10:13, Colossians 2:14, Psalms 94:18-19, Matthew 24:12, Matthew 5: 44-48.
Beyond knowing that GOD loves us, it's knowing, on the one hand, that love is GOD's nature and, on the other, knowing the characteristics (specifics) of GOD's love. GOD loves us, with eternal, unconditional, and responsible love. His love is perfect. He loves us from the beginning because he chose to love us. We are loved by the One who is Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Transcendent, and Immutable.
Having the revelation of GOD's love leads you to:
Understand that it's pointless trying to wear masks or pretend before GOD. If you're authentic with GOD, you'll be authentic with yourself and with others.
Love yourself, forgive yourself (if need be), and accept your identity in CHRIST. As a result, to get away from emotional dependence and the quest for perfectionism.
Banish the fear of people's judgment and opinion. Consequently, heal yourself of rejection, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, or fear of betrayal.
Love others healthily. Those around you are edified, not hurt or intoxicated.
To tell the truth, your opinions, suggestions, and corrections with benevolence (kindness).
To separate yourself from pride and narcissism.
To give thanks in all things and at all times. Consequently, to not be jealous, to not covet, or manipulate others (through gifts, emotions, or demonic powers).
To build healthy relationships and choose healthy relationships. Therefore, to get out of abusive relationships.
To love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you.
To love your neighbor as yourself. That means standing up for just causes, defending the oppressed, and speaking out for those who are invisible, unheard, and despised. Love of your neighbor can lead you to challenge yourself, to innovate, to find or create solutions, to be a visionary or even a pioneer in a field.
The revelation of GOD's love frees you from the obsessive, greedy, and I would even say manipulative desire to get rich.
6.2 _ The revelation of truth
❖ John 8:32, Psalms 119:105, Psalms 107:20, John 6:63, Hosea 4:6-8, John 15:9-14, Psalms 1:1-3, Matthew 7:9-12, Romans 12:2, Colossians 1:9-11, Psalms 119:130, 1 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 10:17.
There is no love apart from truth. Love is the reason for truth, and truth is the testimony of love. Without love, there is no truth. Without truth, there is no proof of love. Love does not lie. Truth doesn't pretend.
JESUS says that whoever loves him will keep his Word and therefore will abide in his love (John 15:9-10). He says this by exhorting us to do as he did. He says " Just as I have kept my Father's commandments, and I abide in his love." Many lie to themselves, and let themselves be seduced by the devil, thinking they can love GOD apart from his Word. Don't fall into this trap.
Even when the devil says a fact, he is lying. For his aim is to divide, hijack, steal, slit throats and destroy. GOD separates, but the devil divides. You can't truly love by being false. It is written that we perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6-8), that the knowledge of the truth sets us free (John 8:32) and makes us prosperous (Psalms 1:1-3).
GOD's Word is precious. It's important to know it, understand it, declare it, meditate on it, study it, and apply it. Through his Word, GOD speaks to us, instructs us, guides us, heals us, corrects us, delivers us, encourages us, and enlightens us. Study and meditate on GOD's Word :
Helps us better understand the Word and recognize GOD's voice.
Enables us to apply the Word and pray in accord with GOD.
Enables us to strengthen and maintain our faith.
Gives us a personal and contextual revelation of His words to our life or situation.
Renews our intelligence and gives us discernment. This enables us to avoid the devil's traps, false teachings, and the snares of men.
Makes us capable of self-deliverance.
Enables us to retain deliverance after demons have been cast out.
Enables us to say NO without guilt and YES without frustration.
Enables us to reject traditions contrary to GOD's Word.
Enable us to overthrow strongholds and correct false teachings.
Enable us to manage and settle conflicts with wisdom.
Enable us to confront without scorning or dishonoring, to be loyal without being disobedient to GOD.
Makes us capable of assuming our responsibilities and acknowledging our wrongs, regardless of the attitude of others.
6.3_ Faith associated with prayer
❖ Matthew 6:6-7, Romans 10:17, Matthew 11:28, Hebrews 4: 2, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6, Ephesians 6:18, Psalms 103:1-5, Psalms 116: 7-9, Psalms 94:18-19, Philippians 4:6,1 Thessalonians 5:16, Luke 22:36, Ephesians 6:10, Psalms 115:16, Luke 21:36, Hebrews 4:16.
Prayer is not a monologue of requests and declarations. GOD is not deaf, dumb, ignorant or amnesiac. Prayer does not inform GOD. We don't pray for GOD to do what we want. We pray that he will accomplish his will in us, through us, and for us. This is one difference between those who think they can persuade GOD with their words and those who pray with faith. Those who have faith know that GOD is good, that his plans are good, and that his will is best. They don't try to tell GOD what he should do. They ask GOD what he wants to do and pray for his will to be done. They pray to be GOD's partners.
We pray because GOD asks us to pray.
We pray to maintain communion with GOD.
We pray to give excellent thanks.
We pray to hear, be guided, strengthened, and renewed by GOD.
We pray to be able to practice the word.
We pray to maintain our faith and put on spiritual weapons.
We pray for GOD to heal our memory.
We pray to authorize and bring the intervention of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
We pray to destroy the works of the enemy.
We pray to bring into existence what GOD has given in the spiritual.
We pray to activate our spiritual gifts.
We pray to receive and discern GOD's answers.
We pray because we love others and need to pray for each other (Intercessions).
We pray to make requests of GOD.
If I don't believe that GOD loves me and can restore me, it will be difficult for me to ask Him for help. If I do not believe that I have received from JESUS CHRIST authority over the power of the enemy, I will not dare to condemn the works of the devil and cast out demons. If I am selfish, it will be difficult for me to pray for my neighbor. If I am ungrateful by nature, unsurprisingly, I will tend not to thank GOD. If I am proud, not surprisingly, it will be difficult for me to pray prayers of repentance. The communion I have with the HOLY SPIRIT and the revelation I have of GOD and His Word, determine how I pray: what I say and how I say it.
As a reminder, I identify 14 types of prayer in the Bible: The prayer of praise and thanksgiving, the Worship prayer, the prayer of faith, the prayer of agreement, the prayer of petition, the prayer of consecration, the prayer of intercession, the prayer of blessing, declaration, and proclamation, the prayer of imprecation, of authority, more often called the warfare prayer or deliverance prayer, the prayer of supplication and childbirth (birth the will of GOD), the prayer in tongues, the prayer for repentance, the prayer for advisory, the prayer of the SPIRIT (when the HOLY SPIRIT prays within us). Not to be confused with the expression prayer by the SPIRIT or prayer led by the SPIRIT (the manner and the subjects)
6.4_ Communion with the HOLY SPIRIT
❖ Romans 10:17, John 16: 12-14, Psalms 107:6, Psalms 94:18-19, 2 Corinthians 3:17.
We must resist the temptation to believe that healing the soul is simply a matter of managing thoughts and feelings. There is a reason why JESUS calls the HOLY SPIRIT the Comforter.
The HOLY SPIRIT doesn't take advantage of our weaknesses to lead us to CHRIST. Giving your life to JESUS is a conscious choice. So is remaining in CHRIST. GOD has given us free will. The HOLY SPIRIT guides us in truth and prayer. He heals and restores the soul. He bears witness of JESUS.
He is also called the Spirit of GOD, the Spirit of the LORD, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the HOLY SPIRIT, the SPIRIT of CHRIST, the SPIRIT of JESUS, the SPIRIT of Grace, the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD (Genesis 1:2, John 16:13, Romans 8:9, Hebrews 10:29, Ephesians 4:30).
Communion with the HOLY SPIRIT means being in communication, listening, and speaking with the HOLY SPIRIT. The communion with him must be real, not superficial. To have an intimate relationship with the HOLY SPIRIT is to have a sincere, deep, authentic, personal relationship with him. To have an intimate relationship with someone is to have a sincere, deep, authentic, close, private relationship. This type of relationship can be associated with the words: family, friendship, companionship, and couple. Implied is that the people involved know each other, communicate, respect, appreciate, value, love, listen to and trust each other, talk about things they might not be able to talk about in public, and have quality time together. Such should be our relationship with the HOLY SPIRIT. Such a relationship is built, not imposed.
6.5 _ Personal commitment or consecration (choosing to remain and walk according to what we know and understand)
❖ James 2:17, Psalms 103:2, Psalms 116:7-9, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 27:6, Proverbs 27:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Mark 12:29-31, James 2:26, Revelation 3:20, Psalms 116:7-9.
GOD loves us, but he won't force himself on us. He won't save us if we don't want to be saved. He won't lead us if we don't want to be led or if you don't want to repent. He doesn't ask us to take giant steps. He asks us to come to terms with him. With GOD, we do feats. He doesn't ask us to do what we don't have the capacity to do. If he asks us to do something, it's because he knows he's given us the ability to do it.
GOD has given us free will: the freedom to choose. He does his part, he helps us to do our part, he shows us how to do our part, he enables us to do our part, but he won't do our part for us. Even if he happens to do our part, he won't always, and he won't do everything for us. The greatest commandments are to love GOD, to love ourselves as GOD loves us and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 22: 36-37, Psalm 103:2). The greatest commandment is to love GOD with all our heart, soul and strength. From this commandment flow the others. Respecting this commandment enables us to respect others.
Your soul will not be healed if you choose to do nothing. Your soul will not be healed if you choose not to listen to GOD. Your soul will not be healed, if you choose to go from relationship to relationship (amorous or sexual) instead of communing with GOD. Your soul will not be healed, if you choose to spend your time with bad company. Your soul won't be healed, if you don't pray, if you don't listen to the messages you need. Your soul won't be healed if you don't commit to GOD. GOD is no respecter of persons (James 2:1). Your commitment starts and maintains the process. The choice is yours: healing or prison? Either you agree with GOD, or you agree with the devil.
** Mè yéga = Good morning and thank you in Bassa (Cameroon)
** As-salam alaykom (السلام عليكم) = Good morning / Peace be with you, in Arabic