Confessing Scriptural Truth in Light of Illness

It sounds contradictory that I confessed good health when medical testimony says otherwise. I never refute what my doctors say or refuse to take the medications or treatment prescribed. However, I refuse to let their word be the last word! Human definitions are based upon some of the best scientific knowledge available but often do not take in consideration the power and will of God.

Confession has tremendous power. Its deeper and broader meaning, based on the NT Greek word used, is “to say the same thing as another” and also “to adopt their point of view.” For example, when we confess Jesus as Lord we accept the viewpoint of the Father wherein He declared Jesus to be Lord. To confess Jesus as our Lord means that we agree with God that Jesus is able to efficiently and effectively run our personal lives to the same extent that He is able to sustain and run the universe.

To confess healing and good health in the face of medical testimony and expert opinion is not to deny the reality of the existence or presence of illness. It is to add faith to the finality of it. The Word is effective, sharp and powerful for every need of life. The power of the Word is made effective when we confess it.

Valid confession then, is in light of today's subject, is coming into agreement with God about our health. Because of the sensitive and often abused nature of this subject I want to affirm that I believe only what the scripture has to say--not what man says that it says or doesn't say. I haven't bought into any particular viewpoint. I'm only saying that which has had power in my own life.

Presuppositions based on prejudice, reaction, unbelief, over-belief and many other factors tend to cloud our viewpoints on this particular subject. During my illness, I had people to say and to do about everything imaginable regarding it. If opinion and good intentions could be bartered for health I would have been the healthiest person in the world. For the most part these were good, Godly, and well-meaning people. The problem was that what they had to say was largely theory, since they had not experienced what I was going through. It is one thing to venture an opinion about the welfare of another person and what you say when you're the one affected.

While I was ill I began to confess regularly Isaiah 53:4 as verified by Matthew 8:17 'That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah, the prophet, saying, He himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses' (Matthew 8:17). In so doing I came into agreement with the Father about His disposition of my disease through the work of Jesus. I continued to confess my healing when there was absolutely no evidence that there was any change--even during the darkest days. One day, the words written in the Bible, that I had been confessing, were suddenly written on my heart. From that point on I was confessing through faith that which earlier I had only confessed through dogged determination. God worked quickly and miraculously in my body that which He had worked in my spirit.

When I have symptoms reoccur (which happens occasionally) I go to the doctor for his wisdom and treatment but renew my confessions with new vigor. I refuse to permit illness to control my thinking or me, through my body.

If you have an illness or infirmity, find positive and powerful scriptures that enable you to confess healing and good health. Be faithful to whatever your doctor prescribes but depend on the healing power of God. Continue to confess these scriptures in the face of whatever comes. God will meet you there.

Jeff