Authority Over Sickness and Disease

Did you know that our spiritual authority in Christ is not limited to demonic spirits, but also applies to sickness and diseases as well? That’s right! When Jesus gave His disciples authority over demons, it also applied against sickness and diseases as well:

Matthew 10:1, “And when He had called unto Him his twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

When it came to Jesus’ 70 disciples, He gave them the same authority and commanded them to go fourth and use it:

Luke 10:9, “And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”

Notice that He didn’t say, “pray for the sick to be healed”, but He gave them the command to HEAL the sick! There is only one verse in the entire New Testament that tells us to pray for the sick (James 5:14-15), but the example set fourth in the New Testament is not to pray for the sick, but to take authority over sickness and disease and heal the sick! Now don’t get me wrong, prayer is very powerful and does work, but it was not the common method used to bring fourth healing in the examples we are shown in the Bible.

Notice that throughout Jesus’ ministry, the ministries of His disciples and the early church, we don’t see them praying and asking the Lord to heal the sick, but rather taking authority over the sick and commanding them to be made whole in Jesus’ name!

John 5:8-9, “Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.”

Acts 3:6-8, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”

Do you know that everyday believers also have authority over sickness and disease, so that when they lay hands on the sick, they can be healed?

Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”