Discovering Spiritual Healing

John 8:31-41

Jim Davis

The school system in a large city had a program to help children keep up with their school work during stays in the city’s hospital. One day a teacher who was assigned to the program received a routine call asking her to visit a particular child. She took the child’s name and room number and talked briefly with the child’s regular class teacher. “We’re studying nouns and adverbs in his class now,” the regular teacher said, “and I’d be grateful if you could help him understand them so he doesn’t fall too far behind.”

The hospital program teacher went to see the boy that afternoon. No one had mentioned to her that the boy had been badly burned and was in great pain. Upset at the sight of the boy, she stammered as she told him, “I’ve been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs.” When she left she felt she hadn’t accomplished much.

But the next day, a nurse asked her, “What did you do to that boy?” The teacher felt she must have done something wrong and began to apologize. “No, no,” said the nurse. “You don’t know what I mean. We’ve been worried about that little boy, but ever since yesterday, his whole attitude has changed. He’s fighting back, responding to treatment. It’s as though he’s decided to live.”

Two weeks later the boy explained that he had completely given up hope until the teacher arrived. Everything changed when he came to a simple realization. He expressed it this way: “They wouldn’t send a teacher to work on nouns and adverbs with a dying boy, would they?”

Teachers, you are also working with “dying boys and girls. What you share Sunday and Wednesday may inspire them to live a whole different life from the one Satan has planned for them. You certainly can help them know that God wants them to live forever. He doesn’t just want them to live forever, but he wants them to have a quality life now.

Our behavior is simply a reflection of what we believe about ourselves. Therefore, we must make absolutely sure we have a proper standard of truth that reveals what we should believe and how we should behave. Human reasoning cannot be trusted. Human reason down through history has made many, many mistakes. Human reasoning once told us the earth was flat, the earth was the center of the universe, that blacks were subhuman, and Jews were dangerous and should be killed. These truths evidence our need for a standard of spiritual truth.

The Truth Shall Set You Free

According to the Bible this world’s mess began when Satan convinced Eve she could have a more significant life without God. It has been a downhill slide since Eden. Our insecurities without God have driven us in feelings of arrogance, inadequacy, and despair as we value the opinion of others more than the truth of God. 

Since Eden we have been seeking to hide the naked truth about ourselves. Only the truth about ourselves can set us free. The Bible presents Jesus as the source of truth for us today. His truth is found as we hold to his teaching. I personally believe the Bible is the most psychologically sound book we have. Its description of human nature is too accurate not to be true. Its remedy for our problems is built upon sound reasoning given by the one who created us. Our difficulties arise when we refuse to face the truth about our enslavement to false standards. 

Jesus met people throughout his ministry that had difficulty facing the truth. 

John 8:31-41
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  

33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" 

34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father."  

39 "Abraham is our father," they answered. 

"If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the things your own father does." 

"We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself." NIV

Our modern world is very familiar with the statement “The truth shall set you free.” But rarely do those who make the statement know the source of truth of which Jesus speaks. The religious folks to whom Jesus was speaking thought they already had a good grasp of the truth. I think it is important to note that John tells us Jesus was speaking to Jews who had believed in him. In John chapter 6, John tells us of those who followed Jesus but turned away. They began questioning what they were taught. Jesus emphasizes is you must continue in my word to discover the truth. 

They couldn’t see that they were enslaved to a religious system that had lost its regard for truth. They merely chanted, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been enslaved—the only Father we have is God himself.” They had no need of Jesus’ truth. 

The Jews took pride in being Abraham’s descendants, and Jesus reaffirmed their genealogical claims. However, Jesus tells them there real father is Satan, whom he calls the father of lies. 

John 8:44-46
4 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! NIV

It is difficult to give up the identity that religion or the world has stamped upon us. It is important to understand the source of truth for our lives, but truth is of little benefit if we are unwilling to be honest about our own needs. It takes an honest person to discover the relevance of truth to one’s personal life. The Jews weren’t honest. 

Many of us are too superficial to face the truth about ourselves. We know we have problems, but we dismiss it by saying, “so does everyone.” Spiritual healing is experienced through our willingness to understand the depth of our need. A superficial world seeks superficial answers, but really never addresses the real problems.

We rarely have the objectivity or the courage to face reality. A businessman asked, “Why do I not see much change in my life?” After talking with him for awhile three issues surfaced which is common to most of us: First, this gentleman had advanced significantly in his profession by performing well and pleasing people. Although he had received promotions, raises, prestige, and comfort, he still wasn’t happy. Yet, it was difficult for him to consider living by a pattern of behavior other than that which had seemingly brought him so far.

He was also afraid that if he responded wholeheartedly to God’s grace, God might test his faith by making his life miserable. He thought life was miserable enough. He said, “My life is painful now, but at least I’m used to it. If I surrender completely to God, my life might get totally out of control.”

We Need Reaffirmation

“Scott grew up in a home without praise, discouraged by his parents whenever he attempted anything new and challenging. After twenty years of hearing, “You’ll never be able to do anything, Scott, so don’t even try,” he believed it himself. Neither Scott nor his parents could later understand why he had flunked out of college and was continually shuffling from one job to another, never able to achieve success. Believing he was doing the best he could do, but suspecting he would always fail, Scott consistently performed according to his self-perception.” 

When we become separated from God we only have our limited ability, and the opinions of others on which to base our lives. It is sad when we turn to those who have a perspective as limited and darkened as our own to discover the truth about ourselves. We believe we are what they say we are. We think we must discover our value in what they think about us. 

The world persuades us to judge ourselves by our behavior. If we behave a certain way we begin to believe this is who we are. Yet, those who have no real knowledge of truth have defined our behavior. Our behavior is a mere reflection of what others want us to be, or think we are, but this not who we really are. We allow our circumstances to control how we feel about ourselves. 
The world is forever seeking to stamp its image upon us. Have you noticed how many are struggling with an identity crisis? Our transgender world evidences today’s identity crisis. Most of the turmoil in the world has to do with our identity crisis. We hate others because they are not like us, but we aren’t exactly sure who we are. It is an age-old battle. 

The world has always sought to give us an identity all its own. Nebuchadnezzar sought to change Daniel’s identity. 

Daniel 1:3-10
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.   5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service. 

6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you." NIV

Daniel and his friends received genuine heathen names in exchange for their own significant names.  Daniel and his friend’s names were significant Hebrew names. The prefix or suffix “el” in Hebrew was short for Elohim, which was the name of the Hebrew’s God. You can begin to see why the names Daniel and Mishael were significant. The names Nebuchadnezzar gave them were formed partly from the names of Babylon’s idols, in order that thereby they might become wholly naturalized, and become estranged at once from the religion and the country of their fathers. Daniel was given the name Belteshazzar, which was a derivation of the Bel the name of the chief god of the Babylonians. Azariah was given the name Abednego a derivation of Nego, which meant servant of Nebo the second god of the Babylonians.

They also changed their kosher diets to that of the Babylonian. Calvin says, "The design of the king was to lead these youths to adopt the customs of the Chaldeans, that they might have nothing in common with the chosen people." It was equivalent to what we call brainwashing. The world hasn’t changed; it just has more sophisticated ways of brainwashing.

Satan has this world totally invested into stamping its image upon us. Satan convinced Eve that her true identity was all-wrong. Christ came to erase the work of Satan. Jesus came proclaiming his truth would restore our original identity. Satan was in control of those rejecting the truth Jesus taught. Think about how much time and energy is invested in giving you a false image of yourself. 

In the opening of the lesson we spoke of Scott who grew up in a home without praise and affirmation. He was brainwashed into believing his parent’s negative impressions of him were true. He had no knowledge of his true identity. His behavior was shaped by their negative impressions, yet, they thought his identity was wrapped up in his behavior. The world is shaped by this kind of thinking more than we want to admit. We seek to identify people all around us today according to our estimate of them. There are liberals, conservatives, rednecks, blacks, whites, Hispanic, old people, young people, the have and the have-nots, the sick and invalid, etc. We are forever seeking to label one another with names we want them to be known by. It is surprising how many seek to live up to the names we place upon them. 

Daniel and his friends refused to live up to the names given them. They chose to reaffirm their true identity found only in the one true God. God doesn’t want to give you a new identity; he wants to reaffirm the identity he gave each of us in creation. He desires to reaffirm the reason you were born. Jesus came challenging the world’s estimate of us. He challenged the religious worldview. He refused to label people. He challenged the world’s attitude toward the sick, invalid, outcast, sinners. 

God can change the way we think about ourselves. He can change what the world has done to you. God can change anything about you. He can change your mind. He can change your personality. He can change your emotions. He can change your circumstances. He can change the way you feel about yourself. All you have to do is one thing. 

You will have to spend time in his presence. You will have to walk closely with him. All you have to do is answer his divine call. His call is also his promise to provide everything you need to stand in the place he has called you to fill. He will give you every single thing you need to answer his call. There is only one thing he requires of you. Trust in him. 

How do I spend time in God’s presence? It is simple. Continue in the words Jesus taught and his truth will set you free from the limitations of worldly brainwashing. 

Affirming Relationships for Spiritual Healing

We seldom have the courage to be honest with ourselves without healthy affirmation from others. We need the strength, love and honesty of other people to help heal spiritually and emotionally. We need to discover people who reflect godly characteristics into our life in a real way. We need people who will be patient with us when we are progressing slowly—and who won’t give us quick and easy solutions

Pray that God will help you find this kind of person or this kind of fellowship that will let you be open and honest, who can objectively listen to you and share with you, who will encourage you to make real, rather than superficial progress. Most importantly, make it your goal to create this kind of fellowship.

The purpose of Christian fellowship is to afford us this kind of opportunity. We may accept salvation when we initially come to Christ without realizing how little we know about God and ourselves. We are always totally surprised at how many elaborate self-defensive walls we have built around ourselves over the years to protect ourselves. We have built these walls to create comfort zones into which we can treat. We work out our own little worldly philosophy to live by and spend our lives building walls to keep out anything threatening to these preconceived beliefs. They blind us to God and all he is calling us to be. 

Jesus says, “the truth shall set you free.” Scripture is designed to help us remove these defensive walls within the fellowship of Christians and the help of God. 

Hebrews 4:12-16
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV

The purpose of Scripture is to expose the true nature of our hearts so we can have an open and honest relationship with self, God and others. It is scary to begin to tear down all the defenses we have created over the years. It is impossible to do without understanding we have a God who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses and is willingness to stick with us through the life-long process. 

It is absolutely essential that we place ourselves into an environment conducive to growth. An environment where honesty, affirming relationships, right thinking, God and the Holy Spirit are prevalent. Places where others will give us time to grow in patience and persistence. 

Philippians 3:10-16
10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. NIV

We need a place where we can face ourselves as honestly as the great apostle Paul. Paul admits he is in the process of becoming more like Christ. It was something he had not already attained. Yet, he continued in his process of growth. He was honest with himself and others about his need for spiritual growth.

Change is inevitable, but growth is optional. We may have flashes of insight and spurts of growth as we study Scripture, but real spiritual healing is usually a much slower process. There are times when our thoughts are pleasant and joyful. Yet, there are times when God’s word shines on an area of hurt where we experience nothing but pain and anger. This is when we need a healthy environment characterized by honesty, affirming relationships, right thinking, the Holy Spirit’s love and power, and time. 

Conclusion:

Jesus came to set us free. His truth seeks to reaffirm our true identity. We grow up accepting what others believe about us. We allow their thinking to shape our behavior, and then we begin to believe our behavior defines who we are. 

There was a man at the well of Bethesda who had been crippled for 38 years. Jesus asked him “Do you want to get well?”  Today Jesus asks us the same question, “Do you want to get well?”