Hope of the Generations Church and Be in Health have seen many healings and miracles over the years, and one important fruit of our journey has been the possible Spiritual Roots of Disease®. This tool has led many people to healing and recovery by Father God. They have shed light on areas of spiritual bondage in a person’s life, leading them to repentance, resulting in freedom and healing. However, some people have struggled in applying these principles to their lives. If someone has looked at the possible spiritual roots of disease and attempted to repent to God without seeing healing, they may become discouraged. Perhaps it’s time to look at the principle of healing and honesty.
Over the years, I have heard many people say, “I have dealt with the roots. Why am I not healed?” Or, “I know these principles, but why am I still sick?” They have been suffering with an issue for years, even after attempting to apply these teachings. On the other hand, many others have been healed during the For My Life Retreat week without any time to apply the principles to their life apart from repentance from dead works.
There is not a formula to healing
Father God will heal in the timeline He decides, so I do not pretend to understand how healing and miracles work as a formula. However, recently I stumbled upon an insight that changed my opinion in regards to healing and deliverance. It has impacted my position on the purpose of the possible spiritual roots of disease. It is also my hope that it may lead to healing for some of those who may feel stuck.
I believe possible spiritual roots of disease shine a light on areas where the enemy may have a stronghold in a person’s life. They have also redirected much of the Christian church away from just seeking the benefits of healing to seeking after Father God. Healing will be added to us if we first seek after His righteousness and the heart of Father God.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 KJV
Switching your focus from healing to the source of healing
Many people who come to For My Life are focused on healing for their body or soul/mind. However, the purpose of the For My Life Retreat isn’t primarily healing; it focuses on how sin separates us from fellowship with the Godhead (Father God, Jesus/God the Word, and the Holy Spirit), other humans, and ourselves. As people switch from fixating on healing to having fellowship with the Godhead, they begin to repent for the sole purpose of drawing closer to Father God.
In Acts chapter 4, Father God is the Lord who the disciples are asking to heal in the name of his holy child Jesus. It is important to know the Father if we desire restoration of our spirit, soul, and body. Rather than making healing our primary goal, we should focus on knowing Father God according to the Word of God. Seeking his face naturally leads to healing because Father God is the source of our life.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. Acts 4:29-30 KJV
Are there qualifications for healing?
The question then may arise, “Who qualifies to be healed?” One may also ask: “Can I be healed if I’m not sinless in an area of my life?” These questions make sense when someone is attempting to address sin and healing, but I must turn the question around to ask in return: Are we healed by works? Is there a checklist we must perform perfectly to be healed?
I don’t believe that Father God is looking for sinlessness, and I have a scriptural example to prove my position. In fact, I believe that Father God desires heartfelt honesty from us even when it means admitting our failings and incompetence before Him.
There was a young man that had a dumb and deaf spirit that tormented him. The disciples could not cast out the spirit. When they asked Jesus why they could not, he responded that this kind could not come out but by prayer and fasting.
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Mark 9:20-22 KJV
28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:28-29 KJV
What is the purpose of prayer and fasting?
My interpretation of this may be different than what you have heard before. When a person prays and fasts, the primary reason is to draw close to Father God. It brings clarity to our spiritual journey as we set aside food or other things to focus on fellowship with God. As I looked through this Scripture, I saw evidence of what prayer and fasting brought forth—spiritual discernment. The one difference I observed from this example was the wisdom Jesus employed in talking to the young man’s father and making a point that confronted the core issue he was facing; He began by asking about the young man’s journey.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Mark 9:21-22 KJV
This may just be personal conjecture, but as I read this, I thought back on parents I have spoken to with children suffering with serious, ongoing issues. It seems reasonable to suspect the father was a bit exasperated. He wanted the best for his child, but nothing seemed to be working, and he was desperate for help. In a matter of speaking, he was “at his wit’s end.”
Healing and Honesty at work
It is my position that the next part of the exchange was pivotal to the young man’s freedom. When Jesus spoke to the father about belief, the father’s response was quite surprising.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:23-24 KJV
His response was not what I would consider a religious response. He did not say, “Yes, I believe with my entire heart without any doubt or unbelief.” Instead, his answer was honest. My paraphrase of what he said would be: “I really want to believe, but I’m struggling.” The father cried out and actually admitted to struggling with unbelief. He didn’t give the “right answer,” but he gave an honest answer, and Father God honored his response.
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. Mark 9:25-27 KJV
What is the takeaway from this example?
I believe the role of possible spiritual roots is to shine a light on sin in our lives. The roots give people a way to repent and reconnect with Father God in those areas of their lives. However, they are not the means by which to create a system of works to become introspective and lost by turning inward to dwell on our sin issues. The father, whose son was struggling with a dumb and deaf spirit, wasn’t perfect. He wasn’t even trying to be perfect, but he was honest.
Perhaps, some of you have become performance-oriented towards the roots of disease and view them as a hurdle to your healing journey. You may believe that if only you could repent of all of this sin or that sin, God will heal you. I have good news for you. In Mark chapter 9, the father was honest with Jesus, and that was enough for his son to regain freedom.
Maybe we have set the threshold of healing too high. If you have repented for what you can see in your life, it may be time to release the rest of your issues to Father God. It may be time to simply be honest with Father God and ask Him to heal you despite your ongoing struggles. Part of receiving from Father God requires admitting you need Him. You might be surprised what will happen next.
Personal Application
What might be keeping you from being honest and vulnerable before God? Take this question to God and ask Him to show you where the enemy may have set you up to resist being vulnerable and transparent. Is it possible that you grew up in an atmosphere where performance and perfection were expected of you, and human weakness was frowned upon or scorned? Or perhaps you felt unsafe if you failed and felt the need to cover it up and hide it. Conversely, could pride have built up walls around your heart with a need to feel important and good enough but with no allowance to acknowledge your shortcomings? Father God is gentle and patient. He will not berate you if you don’t know the right answer. Maybe you have no idea what to do; He will receive you if you admit it to Him. Will you allow Him to become your source of peace, hope, strength, help, and healing once again as your Heavenly Father?
Blessings,
Scott Iwahashi
You may enjoy this sweet testimony of how Jennifer received healing in God through applying these biblical principles to her life.
Would you like to read more articles related to this topic?
Spiritual Roots of Disease – Learn how to discern the root causes of disease and find healing in God for your spirit, soul, and body!
The #1 Block To Healing– The Bible tells us that there are things that may be in our lives that will block our healing. Discover the number one block to healing and find freedom in God today!
Sin and Iniquity Block Our Healing – Is there something separating you from wholeness in your relationship with God. It’s possible that it’s come down from your generations. Today is the day to take a step as an overcome to take down those strongholds that have traveled down your family line and walk into freedom and healing in God!
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