Spiritual healing is a concept that permeates the Bible. Both the Old and New Testaments reveal key principles about the power of faith to bring restoration to one’s soul and spirit.
As we explore what Scripture says about spiritual healing, we can gain greater insight into how to walk in divine health and wholeness.
Defining Spiritual Healing
Spiritual healing refers to the healing of a person’s spirit, as opposed to just their physical body. It has to do with overcoming spiritual brokenness, wounds, strongholds and bondages in order to align one’s spirit with God’s truth and light.
Spiritual healing stands in contrast to physical healing of bodily ailments, although the two can be interrelated. However, the focus of spiritual healing is on treating the root causes of inner turmoil rather than just the outward symptoms.
What is Spiritual Healing?
Spiritual healing involves deliverance from whatever is hindering a person’s relationship with God. This can include:
- Healing of painful memories, trauma, or grief
- Breaking free from destructive habits, addictions, or dependencies
- Releasing toxic emotions such as anxiety, depression, anger, or unforgiveness
- Overcoming demonic oppression, generational curses, or soul ties
- Receiving inner healing from spiritual wounds and bondages
The goal of spiritual healing is to bring liberation at the deepest level of one’s soul and spirit, resulting in wholeness, freedom, and abundant life through union with God.
Difference Between Physical and Spiritual Healing
Physical healing relates to the body and might involve recovering from an illness, disease, or injury. Spiritual healing goes deeper to heal invisible wounds of the inner man – restoring areas of damage or brokenness in one’s relationship with self, God and others.
Spiritual healing deals with emotional and soul pain as well as overcoming demonic oppression. It brings deliverance from destructive thought patterns, habits, behaviors and cycles that keep a person trapped.
Thus spiritual healing aims for holistic restoration, reconciliation, and cleansing at the very core of one’s being. It leads to spiritual wholeness and an intimate relationship with God.
Spiritual Healing in the Old Testament
Throughout the Old Testament, we find stories of how God brought spiritual restoration and wholeness to His people. Often spiritual healing went hand in hand with physical healing.
Examples of God Healing People Spiritually
When God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He healed them spiritually from the damage and wounds of slavery, bringing freedom and restoration. As Deuteronomy 7:8 says, “The Lord brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery.” Here redemption speaks of spiritual healing from oppression.
After David committed grievous sin with Bathsheba, he cried out for God’s mercy and asked not just for forgiveness but for spiritual cleansing and renewal. David prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10). God met him with reconciliation and healing.
When Job suffered immense loss, grief and physical affliction, God later came and healed his emotional wounds and restored his fortunes. Job 42:10 tells us, “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.”
Connections Between Spiritual and Physical Healing
Oftentimes spiritual and physical healing overlap in Scripture. For example, through God’s mercy King Hezekiah was healed from a terminal illness. But more than just healing his body, God restored Hezekiah emotionally and spiritually as well.
Later when the Israelites turned from God, He allowed Babylon to take them into captivity to bring them to repentance. And when their 70 year exile ended, God not only delivered them physically back to their homeland but also brought spiritual revival and renewal to the nation (see Ezra, Nehemiah).
So we see numerous instances where God brought holistic healing to His people – mending physical infirmities as well as spiritual wounds and bondages simultaneously.
Spiritual Healing in the New Testament
The New Testament demonstrates even more connections between physical and spiritual healing. Most prominently, Jesus carried out an extensive healing ministry that revealed God’s heart of compassion and power.
Jesus’ Ministry of Spiritual Healing and Deliverance
All throughout the Gospels, Jesus healed the sick and demonized, restoring people physically as well as spiritually and emotionally. His miracles displayed God’s authority over every manner of illness, affliction or oppression.
For example, with the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years Jesus not only stopped her chronic illness but also brought emotional and spiritual healing, as she was isolated and destitute. Mark 5:34 says, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” This depicts holistic healing and restoration.
Similarly Jesus delivered people tormented by demonic spirits, setting them free spiritually as well as mentally and physically. Acts 10:38 summarizes “how God anointed Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil.”
The Apostles Continuing Jesus’ Spiritual Healing Ministry
The book of Acts shows how the disciples continued what Jesus started. As the apostles ministered the gospel, they also brought deep spiritual and physical healing to many.
In Acts 3, Peter and John miraculously healed a crippled beggar at the temple gate. But the true miracle was how this man then rejoiced, praising God. Along with physical restoration, he experienced spiritual healing and renewal.
Similarly in Acts 16 Paul commanded an evil spirit to come out of a fortune-telling slave girl. And the Scripture says as a result, “At that moment the spirit left her” (v18). She received inner healing through deliverance from demonic power.
So spiritual healing involves not only physical miracles but also profound emotional and inner transformation through God’s merciful power.
Key Principles for Spiritual Healing
In studying both Testaments, we discover vital principles for how spiritual healing occurs. These keys give practical guidance for receiving and ministering divine restoration today.
Basis in Faith and Belief
Right standing and intimacy with God form the basis for spiritual health and vitality. As Hebrews 11:6 declares, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Genuine faith allows the healing power of God’s Spirit to flow.
Role of Prayer and Laying On of Hands
Scripture instructs believers to pray over illnesses for physical and inner healing alike. James 5:14 offers this encouragement: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” As elders intercede through prayer and touch, God’s power is released.
Healing Through the Power of the Holy Spirit
Ultimately all healing comes from God’s Spirit. Jesus himself carried out healings through the power of the Spirit (Luke 5:17). As His followers minister to others today, the same Holy Spirit brings deep restoration – body, soul and spirit.
Romans 8:11 testifies, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” The Spirit strengthens our spirits.
Applying Spiritual Healing Today
The healing principles seen in Scripture remain applicable today. As churches grasp God’s heart of compassion and power, they can walk in greater spiritual vitality and health by applying these key lessons.
Discerning Genuine Spiritual Healing
Unfortunately some claim to perform miracles for fame or profit rather than for God’s glory. So the church must exercise spiritual discernment regarding signs and wonders (1 John 4:1). Where the fruit of the Spirit and intimacy with Christ are lacking, caution is needed.
Genuine divine healing aligns with Scripture and directs people toward deeper relationship with Jesus rather than elevating gifts or the healer. Careful evaluation helps distinguish true spiritual restoration from cheap substitutes.
Ministering Spiritual Healing in the Church
The body of Christ is designed to continue Jesus’ ministry of healing and deliverance through dependence on the Spirit. As James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This includes both physical and spiritual restoration.
Leaders can cultivate healing prayer within their congregations through imparting biblical understanding, providing opportunities for confession/repentance and training prayer teams. As churches embrace spiritual healing, they can unlock greater measures of grace, freedom and wholeness for people.
When spiritual healing and deliverance occur according to Scripture, the fruit is undeniable. People encounter the transformational love of the Father and find hope, joy and purpose. Bondages and wounds fade in light of Christ’s grace and truth.
As hearts align more closely with Jesus through spiritual healing and discipleship, believers grow into greater maturity and fullness of life. They in turn pass on the message of healing and redemption to others.
Just as in the book of Acts, the power of the gospel brings profound demonstration of God’s mercy. The same Spirit who healed and delivered 2,000 years ago still moves among those hungry for deeper communion with the living God.