2.13. Keeping Your Healing
CHAPTER 13 KEEPING YOUR HEALING
God has not only guaranteed to heal you. He has also guaranteed to keep you healed. But like the rest of God promises, this promise is conditional. God has told us in His Word, not only how to BE healed, but how to STAY healed. Some have failed to realize that there was anything more to do after they have received healing, and although God had really healed them, soon they found that they were not better off than if they had never been healed.
First let us remember that, while not all sickness can be attributed to demon possession nor even to demon oppression, God is not the author of sickness. Satan is responsible in one way or another for sickness. Satan is an active, crafty, intelligent enemy. He gives o ground except what is actively taken form him by faith. And having given up ground, he is constantly on the watch for an opportunity to take it back again. Jesus gave not only promises and commands, but warnings as well. One of these is found in Matthew 12:43-45. "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from when I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it EMPTY, swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell here: and the last state of that man is worse that the first." When you have been released fro the power of Satan, whether it be from sin, from sickness, demon oppression, or demon possession, it is important that the house which is your body shall be not only clean, but occupied. When Satan moves out, the spirit of God must move in. Never let the demon find your house empty. If you have not yet been filled with the holy Ghost, set out immediately to be filled, and then STAY FILLED. Let the Spirit of God dwell in your richly, keeping you, directing you, possessing you, and using you for the glory of God. Then Satan cannot return.
"Neither give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:27. The devil cannot move in unless we give him a place. Those who abide in Christ are safe from Satans power. Be so filled with righteousness that there is no room for doubt. So filled with the Spirit of God there is no room for any other spirit to dwell there.
Sin and careless living on the part of one who has been healed is an open invitation for the unclean spirit to move back into the house from which he was driven out. Jesus warned one whom He had healed, instantly and miraculously, in these words: "Behold, thou art made whole, sin no more, lest a worse thin come unto thee." John 5:14.
Since the danger is not simply a matter of being no better, but even of being worse, when the first demon returns, brining others with him. It is easy to see the importance of abiding in faith, feeding upon Gods Word, keeping in communion with God through prayer, and of resisting the devil.
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." The Christian need no be in subjection to sin. "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Romans 6:14. By faith, the Christian has power to refuse the temptations of Satan, and his suggestions to sin. There is something more commendable than daily repentance from sin, and that is daily victory over sin.
It is also possible, by faith, to refuse sickness as place. There is something better than being healed "many times," especially of the same affliction. That is to get healed and stay healed.
If you ever receive healing for your body it will be by faith. you will also stay healed by faith.
Faith is joyful. The sick person who lacks faith is sorrowful because of his pain and sickness. The sick person who has faith is joyful, because of the victory which he realized is already bought, paid for, promised, and on the way. He will be rejoicing and praising God from his heart, regardless of what he can see or feel. This kind of faith cannot fail to bring healing. Satan is aware of the fact that faith is his enemy, and constantly goes about to destroy faith. Whenever you feel any pain which remotely resembles the pain of your previous disease, Satan will immediately suggest to your mind that you either were never healed, or that you were not completely healed or that your healing didnt last.
If you havent heard from God for some time, and His promises are dim in your mind, you may find it easier to believe Satan than it is to believe God. If you do, you may even agree with Satan, and say in your heart, "I just thought I was healed. I am no better." Your heart will be heavy, and your faith shattered. Fear will come into your heart, and the door is open for Satan to afflict you again. But if the promises of God are bright and clear in your mind, and you still believe that God meant just what He said, you will answer Satan as did our lord when He was tempted, "It is written." (Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:7, Matthew 4:10). "By his stripes ye were healed." 1 Peter 2:24. As your review by faith the mighty promises of God, your heart will rejoice, even as it did when you claimed His promise and received healing, and there will be a praise in your heart to god for His mighty deliverance. Stand upon a promise in Gods Word, and praise God in the devils face. This is resisting the devil. He never has and never will be able to stay in the presence of this kind of faith.
Stay in an atmosphere of faith. After you are healed it is a mistake to go back into a "church where the pastor and teachers do not believe in the miracle working power of God. God describes these people and gives a warning concerning them in 2 Timothy 3:5, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
There are a number of good churches, where the full gospel is preached, and where the power of God is recognized and works for the healing of sick bodies as well as sin sick souls. Identify yourself with one of these groups, where you can find food for your faith, and where you can freely give your testimony for the encouragement of others who may also need deliverance. Your testimony is important. Not only will it be a blessing and encouragement to others, but it will help you to overcome the devil. Revelation 12:11. As you give testimony with your lips to the truth and reality of Gods promises, your faith will increase, Satan will be driven farther back, and his chance of again overcoming you will be lessened.
Resist the devil, keep full of God, feed on Gods Word, believe Gods promises, seek an atmosphere of BE healed, but you will stay healed by the power of God. God has promised this, and God cannot lie.