In the last few weeks our devotional teachings have focused on the role of the Word of God in healing. Today we will transition our study and begin focusing on the role of faith in appropriating healing. Let’s begin by noting that when Jesus said, as recorded in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God,” He spoke some of the most powerful and instructional words recorded anywhere in the Bible. In these words, He revealed the vital core of our relationship to God and He pointed to the center focus of divine healing. He was pointing us to the reality of Hebrews 11:6 which reads, “…without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Our ability to actually believe that God exists and our ability to trust that He will reward our efforts as we diligently seek Him, depends heavily upon faith.

The role of faith in divine healing is one of the most profound and often misunderstood aspects of how to receive from God. People commonly err by jumping to one of two extremes concerning faith. At one extreme are those who blame every failure to obtain healing solely upon a lack of faith and at the other extreme are those who neglect the serious role of faith in healing. Both extremes fail to recognize the spiritual complexities involved. Let us avoid the disturbing truth of Hosea 4:6 where God makes the shocking statement that, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” by seeking to become knowledgeable concerning faith, particularly as it relates to divine healing. A good starting point will be to observe how skillfully and wonderfully God has designed us.

The Bible teaches that we are created as triune beings having three main systems which function intricately together. The first one of these, the one that reflects the most important essence of who we are, is that we are a “spirit.” God created us as “spirit beings.” He built into our human spirit the capacity to make contact with Him and be in fellowship with Him. Secondly, each of us has a “soul” composed of our mind, our emotions and our will. Our soul contains our ability to think, feel, make decisions and reason. It is the decision-making aspect of our being. Thirdly, we live in a physical housing made of flesh. Our “body” is the earthly temple containing our human spirit and our soul. These three main aspects of our being are complexly interrelated. Our spirit, soul and body all work together influencing each other dynamically even to the sustaining and maintaining of life.

For us to get the highest results of health and to function optimally, God created our systems in a proper order having good rapport one with the other. Our human spirit is to function in union and communication with God. It is to have supreme rule over our mind. In turn, our human mind is to be subservient to our spirit and exercise control over our flesh body. When this order and harmony are functioning properly, the fulfillment of 3 John 2 is possible so that, “you may prosper in all things and be in health.” When disharmony exists and disease is present, important realignment needs to occur. For today let us just ponder the remarkable triune being that we are and in our next devotional teaching we will move deeper into the healing phenomenon.