30 REASONS WHY MIRACLES DO NOT HAPPEN
Todd Bentley
There is many road blocks to healing in the church today. These are some of the reasons healing can be hindered in our lives and ministries. Please pray that God would speak to you if there is a hindrance to healing in your life. I simply offer a few reasons why miracles can be blocked. I pray this new teaching will help you receive and effectively minister healing.
1. LITTLE FAITH
Greek: Oligopistos, small, and pistis faith "describing a faith that lacks confidence or trusts too little. It is also referred to as "undeveloped faith" as opposed to outright unbelief. Undeveloped faith is the faith that grows like a mustard seed when action is applied to knowledge. Examples of this word are found in these verses:
Matt 8:26
Disciples are in the boat at sea.
26, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Matt 14:31
Peter walks on the water and begins to sink. 31, "And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Matt 16:8
They forgot to take bread and they feared they would starve. This happened twice after they had an opportunity to develop and use faith. They saw God feed the 5,000 and the 4,000 with only a few loaves and fish. God expected more from them because of what they had already seen.
8, "But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?"
2. UNBELIEF
Mark 6:1, 5, 6
1, "Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him." 5,"Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief."
There is more than one kind of unbelief, like personal unbelief that hinders healing. There is unbelief in a city like Nazareth that can hinder the corporate healing. Then as we will see in Matt. 17, unbelief in a nation or generation can hinder healing as well.
Matt 17:19-20
19, "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20,"So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
3. UNFORGIVENESS
In this passage of scripture, Jesus describes how one servant was forgiven a big debt and then that same servant failed to forgive his servant of a small debt. The man forgiven the bigger debt after begging his master for forgiveness did not show the same mercy he received to his servant, so the Lord turned him over to the tortures.
Matt 18:34-35
34, "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35, "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
There is a direct link to sickness and unforgivness. The word for torture and torment here means: agony of body and mind, torment by demons inflicting intense pain to the body or mind.
Just recently I heard on CNN that scientific tests have concluded anger causes high blood pressure, heart problems and disease. Bitterness also causes mental problems, cancers and chronic conditions.
Matt 6:14-15
14, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15, "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matt 5:23-25
23, "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer and you be thrown into prison."
This passage describes offenses and how God doesn't just want us to be sure we are not offended but that if we know one offended with us we are to go to them and be peace makers.
I was in a situation one time as young Christian where an elder corrected me and disagreed about my understanding of the Holy Spirit. I was doctrinally correct, but when I said I believe the Holy Sprit can be grieved as a person, he hit me. I saw the man a few days later and the Lord said go to him and ask forgiveness for how he perceived the situation that he justified hitting me. I said, "Lord, he is wrong." I have forgiven him and I am free of offence. The Lord said he is not and even though I was right the Lord said make peace. When I did, the man said that's all right, don't do it again. I had to make the choice to not to be offended again.
Many of you are in a place where you know another has an issue with you and you are right. I can not help it if they are offended, I did nothing. For the sake of your brother or sister, lay down your gift at the altar and go be reconciled. If you make the first step even though you have no offence, if they stay offended,
at least you are free.
God's healing came for Job by forgiving those who judged him and were even wrong. Many people say I am not asking forgivness for something I did not do wrong.
Job 42:10-13
10, "And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." 11, "Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold." 12,"Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys." 13, "He also had seven sons and three daughters."
4. INTIMACY
Will you have relationship with me? Will you pray and go deeper.
John 6:2
2, "Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased."
Jesus wanted them to know the bread of heaven. The people wanted God for what he did and the blessing. Jesus said I want heart relationship.
John 6:53-54
53, "Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." 54, "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
5. SIN
James 5:16
16, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
Jesus spoke to the man crippled 38 years at the pool about sin and sickness.
John 5:14
14, "Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."
6. PRAYER AND FASTING
When there is not enough prayer and fasting it can also hinder healing in our life.
Matt 17:21
21 "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
Psalm 35:13-14
13, "But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart. 14, I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother."
Isa 58:6, 8
6, "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 8, "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard."
7. PRIDE
2 Kings 5:10-11 "And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean." 11, "But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myself, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy."
Namman nearly failed to receive healing because of his pride and position. I have been in meetings where God would not heal somebody because they judged in a pride attitude. I don't have to go up to the front to be healed; or I am not falling down. They resist God through pride and fear of losing position if there seen having a man lesser or younger than them pray for them. Be first at the altar to receive from children and young people. Respond to the man of God, I will do anything the Lord says. I don't care if I seem vulnerable and somebody might think why he is at the altar. Our ministry persona may hinder the blessing of healing because too many times we are the ones doing ministry to the people to receive from another is to suggest we do not have it together.
8. RELIGIOUS SPIRIT AND ATTITUDES
Matt 11:16-17 "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying: We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament."
In this passage, Jesus describes a generation that misses God because they want predictive Christianity. They want to orchestrate how the people respond and when. It is tradition and formulas that can hinder God's healing power. We want to keep in control. If we play the flute, the people dance.
Matt 16:1
1, "Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven."
The religious spirit wants to challenge God even after miracles happen and are evident. They say I won't believe unless God does this kind of a healing, or if God heals the sick, prove it to us then and heal this one.
Luke 11:54
54, "lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say that they might accuse Him."
Religious spirit wants to find the faults and criticize and judge. They are in a place where they can not receive from God because they are in, "I will find something wrong, I knew it attitude." They have already made up there mind, watching for an error, rather than a touch me mindset and humbly saying "God if it's real please touch me."
A form of Godliness
2 Tim 3:5
5, "having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"
Religious forms can hinder the healing power of Jesus. When we are more concerned about keeping the tradition, time, rules, methods and appearances it hinder the manifest power of Jesus.
9. LIMIT GOD
Ps 78:41
41, "Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel."
We limit God in many ways to a word of knowledge or a package. We fail to receive because it has to happen in this style or through this scenario. God can only heal when this is happening or God only heals some. We limit God in our expectation and shut God out of doing it any other way than unless this one or that one lays hands on me.
10. FEAR
Job 3:25 "For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me and what I dreaded has happened to me."
Many times fear is the door the enemy uses to pass along generational sickness when we believe we are going to inherit this because my Mother and great, great Grandmother had it. Fear kept them out of the land of promise and the fear of a few spies spread too many. Saul was called out as king and to appear before the people but his fear kept him hiding in the baggage equipment. When we see the giants of opposition in our life, the doctor's reports or the impossible situation itself, it can inspire fear which can not only cause, but hinder healing in our lives.
11. UNSCRIPTURAL DOCTRINES
Matt 22:29
29, "Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God."
Do you know what a stronghold his? A stronghold is when we have believed a lie. It is a thinking pattern and process of thoughts patterned after what we believe because of what we have heard or experienced. I have met many that have failed to receive healing in their bodies because they have heard and been taught that God only heals some or think that miracles passed 2000 years ago. God uses sickness as Fathers discipline, Paul's thorn in the flesh. It is a part of suffering for Jesus. Even though they do not believe that those religious doctrines have been known to hinder healing today.
12. DEMONS
Demons not only cause but hinder healing today. Sometimes it is not a matter of praying for healing, but casting out devils.
Luke 13:10-11 Spirit of Infirmity
10, "Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11, And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up."
Matt 17:14-15
Epileptic
14, "And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water."
Depression
Isa 61:3
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
Mark 9:25
Deaf and dumb demon
25, "When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!"
Matt 9:32-33 Mute Demon
32, "As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33," And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke and the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!"
Matt 12:22 Blind demon
22, "Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw."
Acts 10:38 All Sickness a devils work
38, "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."
13. EXCUSES
John 5:7 "The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."
Nobody laid hands on me. I am too sick to get to the meeting. They did not call out my word of knowledge. I am not worthy. They did not pray long enough for me. I can not make a commitment. I work all the time. I can't get in that line of a hundred so I won't get prayer. I have to leave by 8:00 pm. Excuses blame everyone and everything else for our not receive healing.
14. MOTIVE
Matt 11: 7-9 "As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8, "But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet."
What did you go out to see? Did you go to receive a word or to be wowed. Is it the he man or does the package offend you. What are your expectations? Why are you here?
John 6:26 "Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." You just want the blessing and benefit.
1 John 5:14-15 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15," And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."
These motives can be a hindrance to healing because many times we ask God amiss and we want to be healed, so we can go on eating the foods that cause illness. Will we change our lives, our eating and nutrition?
Sometimes our motive is self glory. I told the John Lake story about a man who heard a crippled boy lost and crying out on the mountain. This man made sure no one was looking and ran over and healed him before anyone could see it was him and then took of before anyone could attach his name to the miracle.
15. COMPLAINING, MURMURING & GRUMBLING
Numbers 21: 4-5
4, "Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5," And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread."
Negatative confessions. I knew it would happen to me, I always get sick. I deserve this because, I never receive from God. God why did you heal her they don't deserve it I do. God never blesses me. Why should I tithe it doesn't change anything. Why pray it's too hard? God doesn't speak to me anyway why the word read. Murmuring, "why does this happen to me?" God, "why did you bring us here?" It was better over there.
Ps 78:18-20 "And they tested God in their heart by asking for the food of their fancy. 19,"Yes, they spoke against God: They said, "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? 20,"Behold, He struck the rock, So that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?"
And,
v 32-33
32, "In spite of this they still sinned, and did not believe in His wondrous works." 33,"Therefore their days He consumed in futility, and their years in fear."
16. DISOBEDIENCE
Many times we can fail to receive healing because we will not do what the Lord say's. Whether it is to forgive, jump in the pool 7 times, do something you could not do. Many times we are disobedient to the Lord's strategies for our healing. Steps of obedience release healing. Has God spoken to you about an area of obedience? Have you responded?
JOHN 2:5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."
Do whatever He tells you. I know people that refuse to respond to a word of knowledge or separate themselves from an area of sin. I have been in meetings where God ask people to do something in faith they could not do and they refuse because they say I don't feel or see change. What if God told us to spit in an eye or on a tongue?
The blessing came to the widow's house in the days of Elijah because she was obedient to the Lords word.
1 KINGS 17:11-16
11, And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."12 So she said, "As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die."13 And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.14 "For thus says the Lord God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.' "15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.
17. PRAYERLESSNESS
2 KINGS 20:1-6
1, In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the Lord: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.' "2 Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying,3 "Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5 "Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.6 "And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David."
We need to be like the persistent widow. When the disciples ask Jesus how to pray effectively his response was do not give up until it happens.
LUKE 11: 5-8 And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;6 'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him';7 "and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?8 "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Then we have the parable of the persistent widow
LUKE 18:1-8 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.3 "Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.'4 "And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man,5 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' "6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said.7 "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?8 "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"
Many times we fail to receive healing because we give up after not seeing immediate results. The bible says in Heb 11:6 God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
18. UNGODLY ATTITUDES TOWARDS LEADERS
NUMBERS 16:1-3
1, Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men;2 and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown.3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?"
I have seen this in the church today. People speak out against leaders because they feel that they are just or more anointed then them. Running from church to church or not even going. The worst sin is complaining and speaking against the leader or pastor. It's the lone wolf, lone ranger spirit, the spirit of division and undermining. God's response to this attitude was
NUMBERS 16:31-33 Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods.33 So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.
Then we have the story of Miriam and her leprosy
NUMBERS 12:1-2, 9, 10 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman.2 So they said, "Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?" And the Lord heard it.
SO
9, So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed.10 And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper.
Sometimes we need to repent for speaking out and criticizing others especially leaders and even moves of God or manafestations. Remember Michael and how she became barren because she judged and spoke out against David as he danced before the Lord.
19. IGNORANCE
Many times we fail to receive healing because we do not know what God's will is
HOSEA 4:6
6, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge.
20. NATURAL MEANS
Sometimes God gives us good wisdom about nutrion, eating and vitamins.
Still God can use doctors and medicine.
Hezekiah's healing
2 KINGS 20:7
7, Then Isaiah said, "Take a lump of figs." So they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
Paul told Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach. Remember all healing still comes from God even if medicine is used.
21. OUR CONFESSION (WORDS)
PROVERBS 18:20-21 A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
PROVERBS 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
PROVERBS 12:14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man's hands will be rendered to him.
PROVERBS 12:18 There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
22. BROKEN SPIRIT
PROVERBS 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit
dries the bones.
PROVERBS 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?
Sometimes hindrances to healing can be a trauma and wounds of the past. We don't always need physical but emotional healing.
23. ANXIETY, FEAR, WORRY
Sometimes what is going in our hearts can hinder our healing and even be the cause
of sickness.
PROVERBS 14:30 A sound heart (Tranquil, peaceful) is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.
When we are not at peace in the heart it can be the cause of sickness.
PROVERBS 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues
of life.
24. HARDENED HEART
Hardened means: To form a callous or petrify, make hard, spiritual deafness or blindness. Those who repeatedly resist the word become insensitive and lose the power of understanding.
MARK 8:16-18
16, And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread."17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18 "Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?
The heart becomes hardened when we forget what he has done. Jesus asked them do you not remember. Our healing can be hindered when we fail to remember his works in the past. It causes the heart to become dull.
PSALMS 78:9
9, The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle.
This happened after they forgot his past works
The heart also becomes hardened by the deceitfulness of sin or even areas of little compromise and inward toleration.
HEBREWS 3:12-13
12, Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
We also become dull in our and hearing because we fail to be a doer of the word
HEBREWS 5:14
14, But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
The cares of the world also cause the heart to become dull (Parable of sower)
Rebellion is also a key to the heart being dull. When we continually resist the word or do not meditate on the word.
EZEKIEL 12:1-2 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 2 "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.
25. NEGATIVE INFLUENCES
MARK 5: 35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?"
Jairus nearly lost his daughter because the people and the circumstances said give up. Do not feed your spirit with naysayers and those who are trying to keep you from what God really wants you to have. There will always be those negative voices speaking it is not God's time. did you see what the report said? The devil wants you to focus on the contrary winds and will even use family and friends to try to discourage us. See nothing happened or If God did not heal me then why would he heal you. Why do you need to press in for healing isn't salvation enough? Bear it and grin it the Lord is teaching you.
The woman whose son died and was raised from the dead had those discouraging voices.
2 KINGS 4:23 So he said, "Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath." And she said, "It is well."
Blind Bartamaius nearly lost his healing because the outside influences said be quiet and give up. He is passed you by now
LUKE 18:39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
26. GREED
2 KINGS 5: 20-27
20, But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him."21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, "Is all well?"22 And he said, "All is well. My master has sent me, saying, 'Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.' "23 So Naaman said, "Please, take two talents." And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him.24 When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed.25 Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, "Where did you go, Gehazi?" And he said, "Your servant did not go anywhere."26 Then he said to him, "Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? 27 "Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever." And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.
It was Greed in the case of Simon the sorcerer that hindered him receiving an impartation of healing power.
ACTS 8:18-20 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perishes with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
27. CURSE
Many times we do not receive healing because we first need to break the curse of infirmity. Generational curses can cause sickness and disease. Many times the same curse upon another in our family is passed down.
DEUTERONOMY 28:46 "And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever.
28. HEALING CAN BE DELAYED WHEN WE FORGET THE POOR
PROVERBS 21:13 whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Cornlius was answered because of his gifts to the poor.
ACTS 10:1-4 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with his entire household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
ISAIAH 58:7-8 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
29. OFFENDED AT THE VESSEL
MARK 6:3 "Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him.
How could God use them attitude.
30. NO EXPECTATION
ACTS 3:5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
Many people fail to receive healing today because our attitude is not aggressive enough. We sit back and wait to see if anything happens. If God wants to heal me he can do it here in my seat. I will take what he gives me. I guess it is his will because I am not healed.
What about the story in Acts 12 after they pray all night for Peter to be released from prison. When he is released by an angel and knocks at the door they do not believe it is him. Many people in the church can pray all night but do we expect the answer is coming.
ACTS 12:14-16 When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.15 But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel."16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
