Hear and Be Healed

When it comes to divine healing, it is so important to understand that it is always received by FAITH. Healing always manifests because of the faith of someone – whether it’s the preacher, the one who is sick, or a loved one standing in the gap. I have always preferred to use my own faith, because then I can be assured that someone is believing!

If you have need of faith, the Bible teaches you how to get it. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17),

We see an interesting fact here - You cannot separate HEARING from RECEIVING.

When the Bible talks about hearing in reference to faith, it is always referring to hearing with your spiritual ears, not just your physical ears. Many people throughout history have heard the sayings of Jesus with their physical ears, yet have not understood and received them. In order to benefit from the sayings of Jesus, you must hear them with your spiritual ears and understand them with your spirit. Jesus frequently told His listeners, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” He was obviously referring to the spiritual ears of the listeners.

We also see this from several passages, including Luke chapter 5, verses 15-16: “[A]nd great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.”

I think that many people have this idea that Jesus just went everywhere healing everybody He came in contact with. But if you read the gospels carefully, you find that this is simply not true. Jesus knew that if the people did not hear His sayings with their spiritual understanding, they could not receive healing. Therefore, He went places and taught the Word of God first and foremost.

The words “teach” or “taught” are mentioned more than “preach” or “heal” in connection with Jesus’ ministry. We see all three in Matthew chapter 9, verse 35, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”

We see that Jesus placed teaching first, preaching second, and healing last. Of course, many people want to reverse the order. They would prefer to run to a meeting and have someone heal them without spending any quality time hearing.

Jesus once appeared to my spiritual father and told him that “those who would not hear Me during My earthly ministry did not receive healing.” Again, this is referring to hearing with your spiritual ears, because in Nazareth the people certainly heard with their physical ears. However, very few people were healed there.

Here is the account in Mark chapter 6:

And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him.

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. 

Teaching is always the solution for unbelief. Jesus knew that if He kept teaching the Word of God, eventually some would hear it with their spiritual ears. Even though Jesus was the Son of God, and divine blood flowed through His veins, He still could not heal people that were full of unbelief. God does not override our unbelief! Faith is required, and if a person refuses to believe, they will have to live without their healing.

One of the reasons the people in Nazareth refused to believe was because of familiarity. The more familiar we are with someone, the harder it can be to receive from them. We simply see them as a regular person, instead of someone anointed by the Holy Spirit to help us.

Now let’s see what the people who came to Jesus actually heard:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

Luke 4:18-19 NKJV

Remember that in Luke chapter 5 it says the people came to hear and to be healed. They heard Jesus say He came to heal, to give recovery of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those who were oppressed. Was this effective? Emphatically YES! The woman with the issue of blood was healed because of what she heard.

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."

Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

Mark 5:25-29 NKJV

This woman heard truth with both her natural and her spiritual ears. Then, having heard and received the truth, she acted upon it. Today, you have had the opportunity to hear truth. Now I encourage you to continue hearing with your spiritual ears until your faith is ready to receive healing.

If you're in the Aurora/Naperville area and are looking for a church that teaches the uncompromising Word of God, we invite you to visit Abundant Life Family Church. As a Word and Spirit church, we are committed to helping believers grow in faith, experience the power of God, and walk in His promises. Our services are filled with dynamic worship, Bible-based teaching, and an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit moves. Whether you’re searching for a church home or seeking a deeper relationship with God, we welcome you to join us and be part of a thriving community of faith!