The Healing Word

The word of God (the bible) often refers to it’s healing properties, that is to say the healing power of the Word. Without doubt, the more time we spend reading and contemplating the words of the Bible, the more impact it will have on our lives. This includes the influence that God’s word has on our thoughts and emotions. This power or influence can bring about a powerful change for good in our inner man. We become healed of hurts and brokenness through the application and appreciation of God’s word. Not reading and not thinking about this word can be detrimental to our spiritual development. We live in a pick and mix world where so many like to take a little bit from various teachings and ideas and mingle it together as their own brand of guiding principles for life. The problem with this kind of thinking is it never brings us to a place of inner healing, spiritual renewal and wholeness. We also see among Pentecostals a tendency to rely more on feelings of supernatural encounter rather than on the deep impact of God’s life changing word. ‘If I’m not feeling it then it can’t be happening’ is a mind-set we must all be careful not to fall for! After all God’s word declares that it is faith and not sensation that is the bedrock of our salvation through trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is so important to allow God’s word to permeate our hearts and thoughts so that the peace, healing, strength and truth can impact our lives and become a catalyst for spiritual growth. I find that as I read the scriptures, the word reaches deep into my thinking to the place of my emotions and there it brings repair to the troubles and concerns of my life.

It is this affect as I allow the Bible to reach into the depths of my heart and soul that brings about a powerful healing experience in my inner man (the deep thoughts and feelings of the soul). Medical research now tells us that our inner state of mind can have profound effect upon our physical well being, stress and anxiety can play a big part in our bodily health. When I find peace, assurance and deep routed confidence in God through His Word (the bible) it changes my anxiety and stress levels and teaches me how to live according to His better pattern for my life. After all we are told that He heals the broken and releases those caught in the captivity of their own mindsets. Let the Son set you free, by the revelation and truth of His word (the Bible).

The Eternal Word

God’s word (the bible) declares that He is the Lord and He does not change and with it the word also declares that My word (speaking of God) remains forever (Matthew 24 verse 35). This then is the eternal word designed for eternal people, those who are destined to exist forever. As the world around us changes, as political powers, social opinions and economic fortunes rise and fall there is only one constant, a comforting stability that we can depend upon, God’s word remains true. Whilst some have chosen to reject this word throughout the ages, others have not only accepted and believed it but have also discovered the life changing power held within it. This word is a life giving word, full of revelation and guidance to lead us not only into relationship with the Eternal God but also to bring about beneficial change in our thoughts and emotions. That’s a huge statement to make don’t you think? However if you speak to anyone who has spent credible time making this word their reality you will hear countless examples of how God has spoken and ministered to them through His word. When I use the word ministered, I am referring to the way that our thoughts and emotions are affected by the revelation of what we are reading, how it can bring comfort, peace, healing, guidance and revelation to the many circumstances of life that we each face. The word has a very real and recognizable influence upon our lives. I cannot imagine how anyone would want to miss out on such a powerful source of help and guidance for the whole of life’s circumstances and questions. The bible is the greatest source of counsel and help that mankind has ever been given, so do enjoy your bible.

The Application of God's Word

Is God’s word effective in our lives? We know from the scriptures that God’s word is not only powerful but also capable of producing positive results in our hearts and minds. The Bible sometimes refers to this as bearing fruit. Jesus likened it to seed that is planted in the ground. It was not the seed but the condition of the ground that determined the outcome, whether the seed grew up to produce a harvest. In the same way Gods word is like seed to us and our hearts and minds are like the ground. It is important that we allow God’s word to influence the state of our hearts and minds so that ultimately we will find ourselves full of joy and Godly character. By carefully considering the things we read in the Bible and meditating upon how they apply to us personally, we are able to grow spiritually. By choosing to think and act in the way the Bible teaches we develop in faith and Godly character which will always lead to our hearts being full of joy. It is the choice we make, and it is important that we are determined to make that choice, this is what it takes for God’s word to become a living reality in our lives. Reading the Word is always of benefit but it is only when we exercise our will to make that Word the practice of our thoughts as well as actions that we see transformation and growth in Christ. When we allow our thoughts to be shaped and filled with God’s word then our heart and our actions will be influenced by that word. After all, as a man thinks, so he is (Proverbs 23v7). Much then depends on us, whether we read and consider God’s word and then how we choose to apply that word to our lives. One thing is certain, God’s Word will never fail.