🔥 The Call to Heal: Walking in Spiritual Authority

✝️ Healing Is Part of the Gospel

When Jesus sent His disciples out, He didn’t just send them to preach — He sent them to heal, deliver, and proclaim the Kingdom of God. Healing wasn’t optional; it was part of the Gospel’s power.

Luke 9:1–2 (NLT)“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

That same spiritual authority is passed down to every believer who walks in the name of Jesus. You and I are called not only to pray for healing but to walk in the confidence that God still heals today.

📖 Understanding the Call: Apostle vs. Disciple

Before we go deeper, let’s define two key biblical roles 👇

Disciple (μαθητής – mathētēs) → learner, student, follower. A disciple learns from Jesus, lives according to His teachings, and grows in obedience.

Apostle (ἀπόστολος – apostolos) → one who is sent forth with authority. An apostle is a disciple who has been commissioned and empowered by Christ to go, speak, and act on His behalf.

💡 Every apostle is a disciple, but not every disciple becomes an apostle. Yet, all believers are called to live apostolically — walking in divine authority and compassion.

⚔️ The Commission to Heal

Matthew 10:7–8 (NLT)“Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!”

Jesus empowered His followers to bring Heaven to Earth — not through their own strength but through the Holy Spirit’s anointing.

When the apostles went out two by two (Mark 6:7–13), they didn’t rely on speeches, titles, or possessions. They relied on faith, obedience, and the authority of Christ.

🕊️ The Healing Principle: Gratitude and Faith

In Luke 17:11–19, Jesus healed ten lepers — but only one came back to give thanks.

“One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done.” — Luke 17:15–16 (NLT)

📊 Biblically speaking, that’s 1 out of 10. Only one truly received the fullness of healing through gratitude and faith.

Healing begins in the body but is sealed in the heart when we return to the Healer in thanksgiving.

💔 The Hindrance: Unforgiveness

Many believers pray for healing but struggle to receive it — often because of unforgiveness.

Modern studies confirm what Scripture already teaches: bitterness harms the soul and the body.

📚 Research from Cancer Treatment Centers of America found that 61% of cancer patients have significant forgiveness issues, which can hinder recovery—echoing studies like one from Harvard School of Public Health linking emotional suppression to a 70% higher cancer mortality risk.

MLA Citations:

• Spirit Daily Article "Could Unforgiveness Be Making You Sick?" Spirit Daily, 5 Feb. 2019, https://spiritdaily.org/blog/the-blame-game/.

• CBN News Article "Dealing with the Deadly Consequences of Unforgiveness." CBN News, The Christian Broadcasting Network, 7 Apr. 2023, https://www2.cbn.com/news/news/deadly-consequences-unforgiveness.

Matthew 6:14 (NLT)“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”

🌿 The Spiritual Reality: What You Invoke

Healing doesn’t come from ritual or wishful thinking — it comes from invoking the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

But Scripture gives a warning:

1 Corinthians 10:20 (NLT)“I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons.”

When we harbor bitterness, fear, or anger, we unknowingly align with darkness instead of light. When we forgive, we open our hearts for the Spirit of God to dwell and heal.

💧 Reflection & Prayer

Ask yourself today:✨ Am I walking in the authority Jesus has already given me?✨ Is there anyone I need to forgive so healing can flow freely? Lord, help my unbelief, In Jesus Name, amen.

🙏 Healing Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me/us the power and authority through Your Holy Spirit to cast out demons and to heal. I choose to forgive those who have hurt me and release all bitterness into Your hands. May you bless them abundantly. Heal my heart, mind, and body. I receive Your wholeness and peace, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

🌸 With Childlike Faith,

Connie Hill

Founder, God’s Toddler

📜 Scripture References

📖 Luke 9:1–6 (NLT)

📖 Matthew 10:5–15 (NLT)

📖 Mark 6:7–13 (NLT)

📖 1 Corinthians 10:20 (NLT)