Word of Faith - a Look at what the Bible says!

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Jimbone

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2014
2,737
838
113
44
[video=youtube;FbqBUzOhxTM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbqBUzOhxTM[/video]
God doesn't give His children diseases because of the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. We would people in jail if they did that to their children.

The words "infirmity" and "weakness" are the same Greek words. Notice that in the context, it is not sickness which is being referred to.

2 Corinthians 11:29–30 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.


Some significant points regarding this passage:


  • The phrase messenger of Satan doesn't refer to a disease or trials. The word messenger always refers to a living being, either human or angelic. This messenger of Satan is likely the Judaizers who are the ones who stirred up the dissension among the Jews which resulted in Paul being stoned in Acts 14:19
  • Paul's trial seems to be a consequence of his revelation. His revelation is what gave him the confidence and courage to preach the gospel even when facing extreme persecution.
  • This passage doesn't say Paul got his infirmity as a consequence of his revelation. There are no examples in the Bible of a person who God gave a disease as a consequence of a special revelation except maybe Jacob. However there are plenty of examples of people who had to face persecution as a consequence of revelation God had given them.
  • Paul uses the phrase exalted above measure twice. From the wording it sounds like Paul believes God gave him these trials and tribulations on purpose to help keep his mind fixed on him. I don't believe God does this, but Paul may have mistakenly believed it.

    Here is the link to the article that talks more about this.


Paul's Thorn in the Flesh — North Forest
I think what it is talking about is exactly what it says, and I feel I am living proof of this. God is using my infirmity to manifest His glory through my broken arm. Here is the BEST example I can think of God showing His glory through our "weaknesses".
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
That's where you are wrong G777.

I do believe Jesus wants to,heal everyone.

However I believe he is more concerned with eternal healing of the soul from sin,

than healing these earthly tents that are destined to die and decay.
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
The interesting thing about the lame man at the pool is that all the others were rushing to the waters to be the first to get in..but this man couldn't move.

Completely helpless to help himself.

Medicines, doctors, herbs..what are we trusting in?
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
Ariel

I've been this way too before I knew if He didn't touch me, I was going to die. But, the truth is, you are doubleminded...and no one receives this way.

Sorry to say this to you but I know different now.
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
Now...if you read the article G777 provides...the author says the following..
Teachers of the word-faith health-wealth teaching often teach that Paul's thorn in the flesh was not a sickness and use this to support their view that if you are sick it is the result of a lack of faith. However, this word-faith health-wealth teaching is simply not Biblical. ]The Bible clearly teaches that a person's faith in many cases has nothing to do with why they are sick or why they are not healed. Sickness and disease are consequences of the fall of man and/or Satan, and God uses them for his own sovereign purpose.
Paul's Thorn in the Flesh — North Forest
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
Stonefire, you know nothing of my mind.


I would have been dead years ago and only stay alive because God tells me He has a purpose for me.

If I died tomorrow, I would feel sorrow that my loved ones would be in pain, but I would be rejoicing becaue I would be with God.

Every thing in my life I give thanks for I know they are gifts from God to treasure and care for and give freely to others to bring His love and joy into their lives.

I am not double minded. I know solely upon whom my trust and faith rest.

Before seeking help from others, I pray and ask God.

He blessed us with other members of the Body of Christ to help us. I know many Christians who have been placed in the medical field. They pray with their patients if asked and care lovingly for all who come in contact with them.

God's blessings are so abundant if people stop being spoiled brats and just step back and thanked Him for what He has ALREADY GIVEN us.
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
That's where you are wrong G777.

I do believe Jesus wants to heal everyone.

However I believe he is more concerned with eternal healing of the soul from sin,

than healing these earthly tents that are destined to die and decay.


I believe that Jesus is way more concerned that people get born-again and believe Him too but that has absolutely nothing to do with His will is to heal people.

Psalm 103:2-4 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;

[SUP]3 [/SUP] Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;

[SUP]4 [/SUP] Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
4,453
113
Of course God works miracles today just as 2000 years ago. Of course God heals. But to say the reason every Christian doesn't find healing means they dont believe enough is wrong. Just like Paul God chose not to heal for a better reason. On God causing illnesses Pauls blindness and thorn was rare acts of God not seen much in the bible.

So obviously he doesn't do that to just anyone. But we do know he heals who he choses to heal because he is all knowing and know if healing will bring complete his plan or not. We are ignorant to question why he heals some and why he dont.

His whole plan to not heal could be the very idea God has called that person home. Which by the way is Gods ultimate goal to bring us home.
 
May 13, 2017
2,359
27
0
(Teachers of the word-faith health-wealth teaching often teach that Paul's thorn in the flesh was not a sickness and use this to support their view that if you are sick it is the result of a lack of faith.)

Pauls thorn in the flesh was very clear...If you don't want to preach your own theories that is....
[h=1]2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (MSG)[/h] [SUP]7-10 [/SUP]Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

[h=1]2 Corinthians 12:7 (CJB)[/h] [SUP]7 [/SUP]Therefore, to keep me from becoming overly proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from the Adversary to pound away at me, so that I wouldn’t grow conceited.


[h=1]2 Corinthians 12:7 (CEB)[/h] [SUP]7 [/SUP]I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited.

Guess what? Pauls thorn Was a messenger of Satan....Don't argue with me! You can call God the liar..Its His Word
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
Stonefire, you know nothing of my mind.


I would have been dead years ago and only stay alive because God tells me He has a purpose for me.

If I died tomorrow, I would feel sorrow that my loved ones would be in pain, but I would be rejoicing becaue I would be with God.

Every thing in my life I give thanks for I know they are gifts from God to treasure and care for and give freely to others to bring His love and joy into their lives.

I am not double minded. I know solely upon whom my trust and faith rest.

Before seeking help from others, I pray and ask God.

He blessed us with other members of the Body of Christ to help us. I know many Christians who have been placed in the medical field. They pray with their patients if asked and care lovingly for all who come in contact with them.

God's blessings are so abundant if people stop being spoiled brats and just step back and thanked Him for what He has ALREADY GIVEN us.
I said that because of your posts Ariel. Had nothing to do with knowing your mind.
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
Now...if you read the article G777 provides...the author says the following..

Paul's Thorn in the Flesh — North Forest
Not all sickness is from the devil or from sin, but some is as can be seen here.

Luke 13:16 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] "And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?"

( it's interesting that Jesus equates this woman as being a daughter of Abraham - shouldn't she be made well because of that fact.)

John 5:14 (NASB)
[SUP]14 [/SUP] Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you."

Jesus also said that our faith can make us whole too.

Matthew 9:22 (NASB)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well.

Here is what I also said to back this up.

No where do we find anywhere in Jesus' life where do we see any of these things being said by Jesus to anyone;

1) I can't heal you because God is trying to teach you something.

2) I can't heal you because you have sin in your life.

3) I can't heal you because you have not forgiven your mother-in-law. ( or anyone )

4) I can't heal you because you have not been eating and exercising properly. ( They were all on the Mediterranean Diet too...:) )

5) I can't heal you because God wants you to suffer with this sickness so that you will learn to trust in Him.

None of these things ever occurred although we have been taught by some of our church teachings that they are true. There is no evidence in the life of Jesus - in fact - the evidence is the complete opposite of what we have been taught in some circles.



 
M

Merc

Guest
Paul's prayer was i pray you prosper as your soul prospers
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
I think what it is talking about is exactly what it says, and I feel I am living proof of this. God is using my infirmity to manifest His glory through my broken arm. Here is the BEST example I can think of God showing His glory through our "weaknesses".

God can use anything evil to bring about His goodness and love to us. He doesn't break our arms or make us sick to show His goodness to us. We would throw parents in jail for that kind of behavior to their children.

Where do we get that sense of morality from? From God of course. The heart and mind of man is not designed to trust in a being that would inflict harm in order to show his good to them afterward. It's diabolic.

Thank God that no matter what comes at us in life - that it can't touch who we are in Christ and all that He is to us. I wish you well my brother. It is God's will for you to be well.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
4,453
113
Not all sickness is from the devil or from sin, but some is as can be seen here.

Luke 13:16 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] "And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?"

( it's interesting that Jesus equates this woman as being a daughter of Abraham - shouldn't she be made well because of that fact.)

John 5:14 (NASB)
[SUP]14 [/SUP] Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you."

Jesus also said that our faith can make us whole too.

Matthew 9:22 (NASB)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well.

Here is what I also said to back this up.

No where do we find anywhere in Jesus' life where do we see any of these things being said by Jesus to anyone;

1) I can't heal you because God is trying to teach you something.

2) I can't heal you because you have sin in your life.

3) I can't heal you because you have not forgiven your mother-in-law. ( or anyone )

4) I can't heal you because you have not been eating and exercising properly. ( They were all on the Mediterranean Diet too...:) )

5) I can't heal you because God wants you to suffer with this sickness so that you will learn to trust in Him.

None of these things ever occurred although we have been taught by some of our church teachings that they are true. There is no evidence in the life of Jesus - in fact - the evidence is the complete opposite of what we have been taught in some circles.



Okay so why do i have back issues? I believe and fully trust that God can heal me.
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
Okay so why do i have back issues? I believe and fully trust that God can heal me.
I have no idea my brother - I am not your Lord.

I had a person say to me one time that Jesus never forgave them of their sins even though she asked Him to do so. Why didn't Jesus forgive her of her sins like she said?
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
4,453
113
I see sickness as a product from our fallen nature dealing with free will, and or demons. After all throughout Jesus's ministry he healed some who where sick and no mention of demons while few had demons attached to them causing them harm.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
4,453
113
I have no idea my brother - I am not your Lord.

I had a person say to me one time that Jesus never forgave them of their sins even though she asked Him to do so. Why didn't Jesus forgive her of her sins like she said?
Thats probably why i understand this so well because i deal with this daily
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
I said that because of your posts Ariel. Had nothing to do with knowing your mind.
Half of my posts are scriptures. Perhaps you have a different understanding of those scriptures and that is why you find my words confusing?

What exactly have I said that does not match up in your mind?

1. Jesus does NOT promise physical healing to all people
2, God will fulfill all His promises, but many people lie about what God promises
3. God is more concerned with the eternal state of the soul than these earthly tents that will die
4. God can miraclously physically heal people but it will be according to His will and not promised to all before judgement day,
5. Jesus told his disciples they would undergo trials and persecution because this world is filled with sin and sinful people.

What I haven't said but believe is.

6. People suffer because of sin in the world. It doesn't have to be theirs. Jesus died on the cross because of our sins. More people are get cancer because humans have made chemicals and polluted the earth.

7. Word of Faith movement has many false doctrines within it and I don't understand why anyone would want to defend it.

It claims that if you are sick, it's because you lack faith.

It claims you can sow money to get money.

It is led by wolves claiming to be pastors who take poor widows money and buy mansions and jets.

It promotes a false god who is an idol of fake worldly prosperity.

.it does not teach the core values found in the BIBLE. Good works are for treasure in Heaven....not fake wealth in this temporary foreign land.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
4,453
113
I chose to drive my truck that day and made a split second decision that saved my life but still was slammed by a suv. I know God can heal and in fact he has healed and helped me in so many ways but i know in this fallen world God works in different ways and I still have pain. This pain has made me humble, made me more considerate of others, my reliance on God. Obviously God has a reason to keep me this way.
 
A

Ariel82

Guest
I have no idea my brother - I am not your Lord.

I had a person say to me one time that Jesus never forgave them of their sins even though she asked Him to do so. Why didn't Jesus forgive her of her sins like she said?
Did you tell her that Jesus did forgive her of her sins and ask why she didn't think He had?

Did she believe in the false WOF spiel that sickness was due to lack of Faith?

Did you show her the verses where Jesus says the man being blind was NOT due to his sin OR HIS parents sin that he was born that way?