When Jesus was in the wilderness, Satan came to tempt him. One of his temptations was to say, “If you will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” He did not reason with Satan on other grounds. He did not consider whether the offer might serve a greater good. He rejected the suggestion outright, because the word of God had spoken on the matter, and the matter was settled.
This is how faith resists every suggestion that contradicts the word of God. The suggestion may come through a devil, through another person, or through a thought in your own mind. It does not matter how it comes or what form it takes. If it contradicts the word, you reject it. You do not weigh it in your heart to see how it feels. You do not look for signs that the situation might be from God. You do not wait to see what others will say. The word of God is clear, and that ends the discussion.
If Satan tells you to commit sin, you do not consider whether the circumstances might justify it. If he tells you to commit murder, you refuse, because the word says you shall not murder. If he tells you to commit adultery, you refuse, because the word says you shall not commit adultery. If he tells you to steal, you refuse, because the word says you shall not steal. If he tells you to lie, you refuse, because the word says you shall not bear false witness. You do not treat the temptation as a possible assignment from God’s sovereign plan. God’s sovereignty does not make sin acceptable. God’s sovereignty makes his word absolute. And his word tells you to resist sin every time it appears.
The same is true when Satan tells you to accept sickness. He will say, “This is from God to refine you.” He will say, “This will bring glory to God if you endure it.” He will say, “God has chosen you for this suffering.” But the Bible says otherwise. The Bible says that God refines his people by his word. The Bible says that Jesus carried our infirmities and sicknesses. It says that sickness is an oppression from Satan, and that Jesus went about healing all who were oppressed by the devil. It says that the prayer of faith will save the sick. It says that the believer will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.
When you are faced with sickness, it does not mean that it is the will of God for you to remain sick. The presence of a temptation does not mean that it is the will of God for you to yield. The presence of a trial does not mean that it is the will of God for you to fail. The presence of sickness does not mean that it is the will of God for you to accept it. If the word of God tells you to receive healing by faith, then the will of God is for you to be healed by faith. The word is more authoritative than the condition you see and feel. It is more certain than the pain in your body. It is more trustworthy than the reports of doctors or the experience of other believers.
When Satan says to accept sickness, you must answer with the word. Say, “No. God’s word says that Jesus carried my sicknesses.” Say, “No. God’s word says that sickness is a curse, and Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law.” Say, “No. God’s word says that he sent his word and healed me.” And say, “No. God’s word says that the prayer of faith will heal the sick.” Do not give any ground to the lie. Do not make room for it by calling it a mystery. Never glorify it by calling it a gift. If God’s word calls it an oppression of Satan, then treat it as an oppression of Satan.
Faith resists sickness in the same way it resists sin. Both are contrary to the will of God revealed in Scripture. Both come from the same source of corruption. Both are to be resisted by believing and speaking the word of God. If a person will stand on the word against sin, he must also stand on the word against sickness. If he will confess the word to resist temptation, he must also confess the word to resist disease. If he believes that God commands him to turn from sin, he must believe that God commands him to receive healing.
There are those who think it is safe to accept sickness but dangerous to accept sin. They treat sickness as if it were morally neutral. But the Bible presents sickness as an enemy, not a neutral guest. It came into the world through sin. It is fueled by the same curse that brought death. It is fought by the same power that forgives sin. The same blood that cleanses you from iniquity cleanses you from disease. The same Christ who took away your guilt took away your sickness. The same Spirit who sanctifies your heart gives life to your mortal body.
If you believe that the word of God gives you authority over sin, then believe that it also gives you authority over sickness. When temptation comes, you do not wait to see how long it will last before you resist it. You do not tolerate it for a season to see if it will leave on its own. You resist it immediately, and you resist it until it is gone. You speak the word until the suggestion dies. You set your heart on God’s promise until the pressure lifts. This is how you deal with sickness as well. You do not make peace with it or give it the dignity of a divine assignment. You do not grant it the honor of refining you, but you drive it out by the same faith that drives out sin.
God has made his will known. He has shown his will in the ministry of Jesus, who healed all who came to him. He has confirmed his will in the promises of the gospel, which offer healing to all who believe. He has displayed his will in the nature of redemption, which redeems the whole man, body and soul. He has sealed his will in the cross, where Jesus bore our sins and carried our sicknesses. This will of God does not change when you become sick. The word of God remains, and your faith must stay with it. When sickness tempts you to accept it, answer as Jesus answered in the wilderness: “It is written.” Say what God’s word says. Refuse every suggestion that contradicts it. Reject sickness as you reject sin. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.