Demanding healing from God is not faith, it`s presumption. A kind of pride that quite clearly God stands against. (James 4:6)
I’ve known those who’ve refused medical treatment for themselves and their children, and are paying the price decades later. Consider this tragedy
There is something quite clear in the Bible about not testing the Lord. Consider even Jesus response to this temptation,
“Then the devil took him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you’; and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” Matthew 4:5-7
Consider also that the devil used scripture in his argument.
The presumption (an attitude of the heart) that demands healing from God reminds me of spoiled children stamping their feet, demanding of their parents.
I never gave anything to my children when they demanded it. I knew that to do so would ruin their character and send messages that would not lead them towards any kind of healthy life.
Demanding, in fact, would ensure that they didn’t receive what they wanted.
What about you? How do you feel when someone demands something of you?
I am all for healing. I’ve received much physical healing myself over the years, and have successfully prayed healing for others. It is simply this arrogance that shows up every once in awhile that demands God’s healing that just doesn’t sit right with me. The heart is not right before the Lord.
Asking for healing, expecting healing, must always come wrapped in humility. There must be an attitude of the heart that cedes the decision for healing to God’s discretion and timing.
We know God to be a healer. It is part of his character, the very nature of who he is.
Yet if we come to healer God with pride and presumption and demanding, we suffer ourselves to receive little. Our hearts are not honoring.
All healing, all power in spiritual authority, comes out of our intimacy with God. Demanding sets us up against God. It just won’t work.
Today, to my friend who is brashly refusing medical care, I pray for your healing. Because I would miss you, your immense influence would be lost, and thankfully, even your folly can be covered over by the blood and grace of Christ.
Cyndy Lavoie 