By Buddy Dawson
As your soul prospers
Week 14 in a multi-part series
Over the past few weeks our readers should have discovered the truth from God’s Word concerning His will and healing. The scriptures shared expose the true nature of God and His unconditional love for each of us. They also reveal that there is no scriptural evidence, under the New Covenant, that even hints Father God uses or allows infirmities or sickness to discipline His children (Matthew 8:17).
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (III John 2 NKJV). John is greeting his dear friend Gaius with a greeting that reflects the Fathers heart. This simple greeting also exposes the direct link between the blessings of God and the condition of our soul. The soul is the heart of man, made up mostly of our mind, will and emotions (Strong’s Concordance). It is here in the heart (soul) that all decisions are made, including what we choose to believe. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10 NKJV).
The soul truly prospers when we meditate on God’s Word, renewing our mind in it day by day and spending quality time in prayer (II Corinthians 4:16). Through the renewing of our minds and fellowship with Him, false doctrines, such as the one in the review above, can be exposed and rooted out.
A few years ago I was ministering to a group of men in a local prison. After ministering the Word of God, I began praying for the sick as God was confirming His Word with signs following.
As I was praying the closing prayer, one of the men who had earlier been healed of chronic back pain came hurrying down the aisle with a friend in tow. This friend was wearing a metal brace on each leg and a crutch attached to each arm.
The man who had been healed was urging his friend in braces to come forward for prayer. Once the crippled man arrived at the front, I asked him if he believed that Father God wanted him well. His immediate response shocked me as he flatly said, “No!” In fact, he believed that God had allowed him to be crippled as chastisement for his past rebellion. Because he had been running from God for years, he believed this affliction was not only his punishment, but a continuous reminder that he could no longer run. Furthermore, he believed that the positive way he was handling his disability, was a testimony to the grace of God, therefore bringing Him even more glory.
I had been countering each of these false beliefs from the pulpit for years but this was the first time I had encountered them all at the same time. I was speechless, except to say, “None of that is true brother, but think of how much glory it will bring God if you are miraculously healed.” He let me know that he disagreed totally and the only prayer he desired was for more grace to handle his affliction manfully.
After a brief prayer, off he hobbled in his deception, holding onto the lies of Satan, with little or no understanding of the true love and grace of God.
