Spiritual Gift of Healing

The spiritual gift of Healing is about the restoration of the mind, body, and soul.  Those with this gift feel compelled to render aid to those in distress and are often part of hospital, elder care, or other medical missions within the body.  While the gift is not all about instant healing or curing of diseases, it is about prayer and faith that God will act to restore the person as He sees fit.

Wholeness of the Person

The gift of healing helps people cope with their situations and offers comfort and aid.   It addresses the wholeness of the person and the church body, not just physical pain or ailments.  They are easy to talk to, clear communicators, and show a deep compassion for those who suffer.  They are peacemakers who heal rifts and divisions within the body.

Those with the gift see healing as not only a means to alleviate suffering but also means to bring people to Christ.  They are drawn to ministries that allow them to use this gift but rarely want attention or recognition for their efforts.

Medicine and the Gift

Understanding of medical or psychological sciences is neither a requirement or a result of the gift.  Those educated in the medical profession who have the gift of healing are easy to identify.  They are the doctors who have wonderful bedside manners and take genuine interest and concern for the health of their patients.  Modern medicine is a gift from God and so are the true professionals with the gift.

Any miracle of physical healing comes from the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer and God’s will, not by the will of someone with the gift.

Martin Luther on the Spiritual Gift of Healing

Martin Luther believed in the biblical concept of the spiritual gift of healing, which is listed among the gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:9. He saw healing as an important aspect of the ministry of Jesus and the early Church, and believed that it was still possible for believers to experience healing through prayer and faith.

Luther emphasized the importance of faith in God’s healing power, and believed that prayer and faith were essential to experiencing healing. He also believed that healing was a sign of God’s presence and power, and that it could be a means of bearing witness to the Gospel.

At the same time, Luther cautioned against a superstitious view of healing, and emphasized the importance of recognizing that healing was ultimately a matter of God’s will and sovereignty. He saw healing as a gift from God, rather than something that could be earned or deserved.

Luther also emphasized the importance of caring for the sick and infirm, and believed that the Church had a responsibility to care for those who were suffering. He saw this as an important aspect of Christian service and charity, and believed that acts of mercy and compassion were an expression of the love of Christ.

People with this Gift:

  • Bring restoration and wholeness to the sick and diseased
  • Use it as an opportunity to communicate a Biblical truth and to see God glorified
  • Pray, touch, or speak words that bring healing to one’s body and mind
  • Has a calming presence about them
  • Great empathy for the sick and burdened
  • Bring together members of the body and remove divisions within the body

Bible References

Acts 3:1-10Peter heals a lame beggar
Acts 5:12-16The Apostles heal many
1 Corinthians 12:7-11Paul mentions the gift of healing
1 Corinthians 12:28-31Gift of healing compared to the other gifts
James 5:14-16Healing within the church
1 Peter 2:24Through Christ’s wounds you are healed

Gifts Testimony

Shelia

In what ways have you used your gift? Please relate examples so that we can better understand the gift and the use.
Day to day as a home health and hospice nurse. Visiting friends or family members of friends who are sick. Going to Kenya to briefly work in a remote clinic.

How would you personally describe the gift from your experiences?Incredible gift definitely from the Holy Spirit! I have ’known’ answers to questions and problems that I really didn’t know. I have seen healings that were not supposed to happen according to traditional medicine. I have been able to do things above and beyond what I would do; wondering later how?

The Spiritual Gifts Project is always looking for personal perspective about the spiritual gifts. If you would like to share your experiences and help further all of our understanding about a particular spiritual gift, please visit our feedback page.

References

  • Graham, 205-215
  • Bryant, 91-95

Other Gifts