Exposing Myths of Faith Healing

The debate surrounding faith healing is one that continues to shape the perceptions of divine healing in contemporary Christian communities. Proponents of modern faith healing argue that faith is an indispensable requirement for anyone seeking God’s intervention in their physical or spiritual ailments. However, an examination of scriptural accounts of miraculous healings, particularly those performed by Jesus, reveals a more nuanced truth. The idea that God is unable to heal without the individual’s faith undermines His sovereignty and grace. Furthermore, the practices of modern faith healers raise serious concerns about their authenticity. This week we shall examine the theological flaws in the modern faith healing movement and contrast it with Biblical examples of genuine supernatural healing.

Faith is Not Always a Prerequisite for Healing

A key argument made by modern faith healers is that faith is an absolute requirement for one to experience healing. This claim, however, is inconsistent with Biblical accounts of miracles performed by Jesus. Out of the 35 miracles recorded in the Gospels, faith is mentioned as a factor in only 10 of them. Notably, many individuals who were healed had no prior belief or faith in Jesus before their healing occurred.

For instance, in John 5:1–9, Jesus heals a man who had been infirm for 38 years, lying by the pool of Bethsaida. When Jesus asks if the man desires to be made well, the man responds not with faith in Jesus but with an explanation of his inability to access the healing waters of the pool. Jesus, in His mercy, heals him without requiring faith. The man did not even know who Jesus was until after the healing took place (John 5:12–13).

Another striking example is found in Luke 22:50–51, where one of the temple guards, Malchus, had his ear cut off by Peter during Jesus’ arrest. Malchus had come with the intention of arresting Jesus, showing no faith or belief in Him, and had certainly not asked for healing. Yet, Jesus, in an act of pure grace and mercy, touched the servant’s ear and healed him on the spot, demonstrating that His power to heal is not contingent upon the faith or even the intentions of the individual.

Similarly, in John 9:1–7, Jesus heals a man born blind. This man had not requested healing, nor did he demonstrate any faith before Jesus restored his sight. The healing was initiated entirely by Jesus, illustrating again that divine healing stems from God’s sovereign will.

Another powerful example of God’s sovereignty in healing is the raising of Lazarus from the dead in John 11:38–44. Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, and there was no act of faith from him or anyone else that could have reversed his condition. Yet Jesus, moved by divine compassion and the will of the Father, called Lazarus out of death into life. This miracle, like others, demonstrates that healing and restoration are acts of grace that are not always dependent on human action but on God’s timing and purpose.

In Acts 3:1-10, Peter and John encounter a man who had been lame from birth. The man had only asked for alms, but Peter, moved by the Spirit, commanded him to rise and walk in the name of Jesus. The man was healed without asking for it, again demonstrating that true divine healing is a manifestation of God’s grace rather than human faith.

These examples, along with others like the healing of the man with the withered hand (Matthew 12:10-13) and the miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11), illustrate that true divine miracles are usually unsolicited and not always reliant on the recipient’s faith. Instead, they reflect God’s sovereign mercy and purpose.

The Emphasis on Faith: A Cover for Lack of Power

One of the main tactics of modern faith healers is to insist that if healing does not occur, it is due to a lack of faith on the part of the sick person. By shifting the responsibility of healing to the individual’s level of faith, these healers create an easy escape for themselves when healing does not materialize. This emphasis on faith serves as a smokescreen to cover their inability to heal and places undue burden and guilt on those who are already suffering.

Unlike the miracles performed by Jesus, which were instantaneous and complete, modern faith healings often result in temporary relief since they are psychosomatic in nature. These supposed healings are not permanent, and many individuals experience relapses, further supporting the argument that the healers lack true divine power. When questioned about the efficacy of their healing ministries, these faith healers resort to blaming the individual, saying that they did not have enough faith, had not paid enough for their miracle, or that the devil has stolen their healing. This stands in stark contrast to Biblical miracles, which were always successful and never accompanied by relapses.

The Absence of Faith Healers in Hospitals: A Red Flag

A critical sign that modern faith healers are not genuine is their absence in places where the most severe cases of illness and affliction are found—hospitals, mental health institutions, and hospice care. If these healers truly possessed the power to heal as they claim, one would expect them to minister in such places. Instead, they require that the sick come to their gatherings, often held in large venues that have been meticulously prepared to create a psychologically manipulative environment.

These environments are designed to nurture an emotional and psychological response from the audience, giving the illusion of healing through methods that prey on the vulnerable. Common tactics include uplifting and repetitive music, emotionally charged testimonies, and heightened spiritual language that appeals to the desires of the afflicted. These factors combine to create an atmosphere where individuals feel pressured to demonstrate their faith publicly and are more likely to experience temporary emotional relief or psychosomatic reactions which are then presented as miraculous healings.

Nonetheless, these reactions are often short-lived, as they are not genuine healings of organic disorders but responses to psychological manipulation. In contrast, the healings performed by Jesus and His apostles required no such manipulation. They were immediate, complete, and always successful. Jesus healed with the authority of God, independent of emotional environments or the faith of those receiving the miracles.

Conclusion

The modern faith healing movement’s emphasis on faith as a prerequisite for healing is a distortion of Biblical truth. While faith is undoubtedly important in the Christian walk, God’s ability to heal is not dependent on human faith. The miraculous healings recorded in Scripture, many of which occurred without any prior faith from the recipient, testify to God’s sovereignty and mercy. In stark contrast, modern faith healers often shift the blame for failed healings onto the sick, claiming a lack of faith as the cause. Additionally, their refusal to engage with the most severely afflicted in hospitals and mental institutions further calls their legitimacy into question. True healing comes from God’s hand, is complete, and is not contingent on human manipulation or environmental influences.