The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
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4. INHERENT WEAKNESSES. Inherited problems or weaknesses are passed through<br />
generations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> human family. <strong>The</strong> sins that are passed on from one generation to<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r (Ex. 20:5) are sometimes manifested in our physical bodies (i.e. alcoholism, drug<br />
addiction, etc.). This, <strong>of</strong> course, makes <strong>the</strong> people with inherent weaknesses (and some are<br />
more obvious than o<strong>the</strong>rs) <strong>the</strong> victims <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir heritage. It is crucial that <strong>the</strong>se people are<br />
not judged and condemned for <strong>the</strong>se weaknesses inherited from <strong>the</strong>ir past generation(s).<br />
5. GERMS. Many people are sick because <strong>of</strong> natural causes like germs. Viruses and bacteria<br />
cause sickness and it is foolish to spiritualize what is natural. Proper rest and medicine<br />
usually will provide <strong>the</strong> cure for such sickness.<br />
6. DISCIPLINE (I Cor. 11:30). David was glad for his afflictions because it was through<br />
<strong>the</strong>m that he learned obedience to God’s word (II Sam. 24:13-15; Ps. 119:67-71). Some<br />
claim that God does not inflict His people with illness. This is not true (Ex. 4:11; Miriam:<br />
Num. 12:9-12; Zechariah: Lk. 1:18-20; Paul: Acts 9:3-9). Though God does bring healing<br />
in all <strong>the</strong>se instances, it was He who inflicted <strong>the</strong> disease). <strong>The</strong>re are o<strong>the</strong>r instances where<br />
God inflicts sickness without bringing healing: Acts 13:11; II Kings 5:27. If God’s actions<br />
do not fit neatly into our formula, we better change our formula!<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are also cases in <strong>the</strong> Bible <strong>of</strong> God healing through <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> medicine. Many argue<br />
against <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> physicians by citing Asa who was criticized because he sought a physician and<br />
not <strong>the</strong> Lord (II Chron. 16:12). This is not pro<strong>of</strong> that we should not go to a doctor because<br />
physicians in those days frequently resorted to occult practices. Hezekiah used “paste made <strong>of</strong> figs<br />
on his boil, and he would get well” (Isa. 38:21). Paul encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for<br />
his stomach because <strong>of</strong> its medicinal benefits (I Tim. 5:23). Jesus used spittle (Jn. 9:6; Mk. 7:33;<br />
8:33) and <strong>the</strong> disciples used oil (Mk. 6:13). Both were considered to have healing qualities.<br />
However, <strong>the</strong> issue is not whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>se elements had healing qualities or not, but that Jesus did<br />
not disassociate Himself from medicine. In fact He seemed to sanction it. <strong>The</strong> priests to whom He<br />
sent <strong>the</strong> ten lepers represented <strong>the</strong> health <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day (Lk. 17:14). God, <strong>the</strong>n, is <strong>the</strong> source<br />
<strong>of</strong> all healing, but He uses various means to heal.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are o<strong>the</strong>r instances <strong>of</strong> people being sick but not healed (Paul: I Cor. 2:3; II Cor. 1:8-9;<br />
12:7-10; Gal. 4:13-15; 6:11; Timothy: I Tim. 5:23; Trophimus: II Tim. 4:20; Epaphroditus: Phil.<br />
2:25-30). Though in many instances <strong>the</strong> Bible states that Jesus healed “all” that came to Him (Mt.<br />
8:16; 12:15; Acts 10:38), <strong>the</strong>re are o<strong>the</strong>r instances where Jesus healed “many” (Mk. 1:34), one<br />
instance where <strong>the</strong>re was a multitude <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r sick people (Jn. 5:1-8). As crowds were coming to<br />
be healed, Jesus would <strong>of</strong>ten withdraw to lonely places for a time <strong>of</strong> prayer (Lk. 5:15-16).<br />
Although Jesus healed all who actually came to Him, everyone in need was not healed.