True Healing: Faith, Discernment, and Biblical Wisdom

Devotional

Day 1: Healing Happens When We Push Through to Truth

True healing begins when we actively seek and press through to the truth, even when it means challenging the crowd or prevailing opinions around us. Like the woman in Mark 5, we must be willing to move past the noise, the opinions, and the accepted narratives that may cloud our judgment or keep us from what is real. This means not settling for surface-level answers or blindly accepting what is handed to us, but instead, doing the work to examine, discern, and pursue what is truly life-giving. When we push through to Jesus, even with imperfect faith, He honors our pursuit and meets us with His healing power. [24:35]

Mark 5:25-29 (ESV)
And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to push past the crowd’s opinion or the prevailing narrative to seek God’s truth for yourself today?

Day 2: Healing Happens When We Listen to Our Bodies

God has given us bodies that are fearfully and wonderfully made, and they often signal to us when something is wrong. Instead of ignoring or masking symptoms, we are called to pay attention to what our bodies are telling us—whether it’s pain, fatigue, anxiety, or discomfort. These signals are not just nuisances to be silenced, but invitations to investigate, adjust, and steward our health in a way that honors God. Listening to your body is a form of wisdom and self-care that can lead to deeper healing and wholeness. [26:11]

Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Reflection: What is your body telling you today that you may have been ignoring, and how can you respond with wisdom and care?

Day 3: Healing Happens When We Stand Out and Stand Apart

Sometimes, following God’s path for health and wholeness means making choices that set us apart from those around us. The woman with the issue of blood was willing to do what no one else dared—she reached out to Jesus in faith, even at the risk of social rejection or misunderstanding. In the same way, you may be called to make decisions about your health, habits, or faith that others don’t understand. Standing out for the sake of truth and healing is part of the cost of following Jesus, but you are loved and seen by your Father, and that is enough. [51:40]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: Where is God calling you to stand apart in your health or lifestyle, even if it means being misunderstood by others?

Day 4: Healing Happens When We Put Faith in God’s Word First

True and lasting healing comes when we place our faith first in God’s Word above any other authority, expert, or institution. While human wisdom and science can be helpful, they are ultimately limited and fallible. God’s Word is the foundation that never changes, and it is the source of truth and life. When you choose to trust what God says about your body, your health, and your worth, you are building your life on a rock that cannot be shaken. Let Holy Spirit discretion guide you as you navigate the messages and advice of the world. [59:27]

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV)
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

Reflection: In what area of your health or life do you need to intentionally put God’s Word above all other voices today?

Day 5: Healing Happens When We Exercise Holy Spirit Discernment

We live in a fallen world, and even well-intentioned institutions and experts can be influenced by error, profit, or cultural trends. As followers of Jesus, we are called to exercise discernment—testing everything, holding fast to what is good, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all things. This means not blindly accepting every claim or prescription, but prayerfully and thoughtfully examining what aligns with God’s truth. Holy Spirit discernment is a gift that protects us and leads us into greater freedom and health. [16:21]

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (ESV)
But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Reflection: What is one message or piece of advice you’ve received recently that you need to bring before God in prayer and discernment?

Sermon Summary

In today’s teaching, we journeyed from deconstructing the failures and pitfalls of our modern health systems to constructing a biblical vision for true healing. We began by examining the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5, a woman who not only suffered physically for twelve years but was also socially isolated and marginalized by her condition. Her story is a mirror for many today who find themselves let down by the promises of modern medicine, government institutions, and cultural authorities. We explored how, throughout history, even the most trusted medical advice has often been flawed, manipulated, or outright dangerous—from ancient prescriptions in the Talmud to 20th-century endorsements of cigarettes and cocaine by doctors, to the ever-changing narratives around food, drugs, and public health.

The call was clear: do not blindly trust the prevailing “science” or the institutions that claim to have your best interests at heart. Instead, cultivate a healthy skepticism, recognizing that all human systems are fallen and subject to error, manipulation, and ideological capture. The biblical word for “sorcery” in Galatians 5—pharmakia—reminds us that the mixing of substances for healing or harm is as old as civilization itself, and discernment is always needed.

But we did not stop at deconstruction. We turned to construction, asking: what should we do? The answer is to push through the noise, the crowd, and the confusion—just as the woman did—to reach for Jesus, the true source of healing. Healing happens when we test everything, listen to our bodies, and are willing to stand out from the crowd, even if it means being misunderstood or ridiculed. We heard a powerful testimony from Jordan Rubin, whose healing from chronic illness came not from pharmaceuticals but from aligning his diet and lifestyle with biblical principles. The Scriptures are not silent about our physical health; they offer wisdom for what we put into our bodies and how we live.

Ultimately, true healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual—comes when we put our faith first in God’s Word above all other voices. We are called to be people of Holy Spirit discretion, discerning truth from error, and trusting that God, who made our bodies, knows best how they should be cared for. In a world of confusion and shifting narratives, let us be those who press through to Jesus, listen to His Word, and walk in the wholeness He offers.

Key Takeaways

1. True healing requires pushing through the noise of culture, tradition, and even religious or medical authority to reach for Jesus Himself. Like the woman in Mark 5, we must not let the crowd or the experts keep us from seeking the truth and the Healer. Faith is not about having perfect knowledge, but about reaching for the right Person—Jesus—who honors even imperfect faith when it is placed in Him. [24:35]
2. Our bodies are designed to communicate with us, and we must learn to listen. Symptoms like pain, anxiety, or fatigue are not just nuisances to be medicated away, but signals that something deeper may be wrong. God has given us bodies that can alert us to imbalance or harm, and we honor Him by paying attention and seeking wisdom, not just quick fixes. [26:11]
3. The history of medicine and science is filled with error, manipulation, and even harm—often with the best of intentions. From ancient remedies to modern pharmaceuticals, what is “settled science” today may be tomorrow’s cautionary tale. Christians are called to exercise discernment, testing everything, and refusing to place ultimate trust in any human institution. [23:03]
4. Standing out and standing apart is often the cost of following God’s wisdom in a world that prizes conformity. When we choose to live differently—whether in our diets, our skepticism of cultural narratives, or our pursuit of biblical truth—we may face misunderstanding or even ridicule. Yet, as with the woman who pressed through the crowd, it is often those willing to be different who experience the deepest transformation and healing. [51:40]
5. Our first and final allegiance must be to God’s Word, not to the shifting sands of human opinion or expertise. The curse of sin affects every human system, including those meant for our healing, and so we must cultivate Holy Spirit discretion. By putting our faith first in Christ and His Word, we find a foundation that is unshakeable, and a source of healing that is both trustworthy and eternal. [59:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Recap: Deconstructing Modern Health and Food
[03:30] - The Woman with the Issue of Blood: Mark 5
[05:17] - Suffering Under Many Physicians
[06:44] - Ancient Medical Prescriptions: The Talmud
[09:06] - The Repetition of Medical Mistakes
[10:04] - Doubt the Science: Lessons from COVID-19
[15:15] - Ideological Capture in Medicine
[16:21] - Christians and Cultural Conformity
[17:43] - The Bible, Pharmakia, and the Pharmaceutical Industry
[20:02] - Medical Errors of the Last Century
[23:03] - Healthy Skepticism and Testing Everything
[24:35] - Pushing Through to Truth and Jesus
[26:11] - Listening to Your Body
[27:00] - Testimony: Healing Through Biblical Diet
[37:54] - Biblical Principles for Diet and Health
[51:40] - Standing Out for God’s Wisdom
[57:56] - Disease as Dis-Ease: Internal and External Healing
[59:27] - Faith in God’s Word Above All

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Mark 5, what challenges did the woman with the issue of blood face, both physically and socially?
According to Leviticus 15, what were the consequences for a woman with a continual discharge of blood? How did this affect her daily life and relationships?
What does the word “sorcery” in Galatians 5:20 mean in its original Greek context, and how does it relate to the idea of “pharmakia”?
What are some examples from the sermon of medical advice or treatments that were once trusted but later found to be harmful or misguided?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the woman in Mark 5 was willing to risk public shame and push through the crowd to reach Jesus? What does this say about her faith and desperation?
The sermon points out that the woman “felt” in her body that she was healed (Mark 5:29). What does this suggest about the importance of listening to our bodies as part of seeking healing?
The pastor mentioned that “pharmakia” can mean both healing and harm, depending on how substances are used. How does this shape the way Christians should approach medicine and health advice?
According to the sermon, what is the danger of placing ultimate trust in human institutions, even those meant for our healing?

Application Questions

The woman in Mark 5 pushed through the crowd and ignored what others thought to reach Jesus. Is there an area in your life where you need to “push through the crowd” or ignore popular opinion to pursue what God is calling you to do? What would that look like this week?
The sermon encourages us to listen to our bodies and not just medicate symptoms away. Are there any physical, emotional, or mental symptoms you’ve been ignoring or covering up? What might it look like to pay attention and seek God’s wisdom about them?
The history of medicine is full of mistakes and even manipulation. How do you practice healthy skepticism without falling into cynicism or fear? What practical steps can you take to “test everything” as 1 John says?
The testimony of Jordan Rubin highlighted healing through aligning diet and lifestyle with biblical principles. Are there any changes you feel prompted to make in your diet or daily habits based on biblical wisdom? What’s one small step you could take this week?
Standing out for God’s wisdom can lead to misunderstanding or ridicule. Have you ever felt pressure to conform in your health choices, beliefs, or lifestyle? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now?
The sermon says our first and final allegiance must be to God’s Word, not to shifting human opinions. Are there areas where you’ve been tempted to trust experts or institutions more than God’s Word? How can you realign your trust this week?
The pastor talked about “Holy Spirit discretion” in discerning truth from error. What does it look like for you to invite the Holy Spirit into your decision-making about health, healing, and daily life?

Sermon Clips

Could it be possible that the mistakes they are making in that generation are still being made today in our generation? Because I know what some of you might say. Some of you, the skeptics will say, well, pastor, they just didn't know what they were doing back then. This is a long time ago. So they didn't have the knowledge that we had. And here's what I like to say about that. It's not going to take very long for somebody to say that about us. [00:09:38] (32 seconds)

If there was a lesson to be learned from the COVID -19 pandemic, it was that. For as much as they told us to trust the science, I say now we should doubt the science. In fact, if you know anything about scientific discovery and even the scientific method, you understand that at the best we can do is formulate a hypothesis and a theorem that a future study will undo. That's how science works. [00:10:28] (31 seconds)

Doubt the science, because not everybody has noble intentions. And even if they have noble intentions, they might be undermined by fallacies that are accepted because of a cultural push instead of scientific understanding and facts. This is called ideological capture of the medical industry. And this is why I get troubled when I see God's people blindly following the science of pagans. [00:16:21] (30 seconds)

You understand we are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. Christians got to get their backbone. Christians got to get their birthright, their heritage back, and understand that we are not here to follow what the world says. We are here to change what the world says, because we've got the truth of Jesus Christ and of God's word. And my father, my, my savior said, this truth shall set you free, free from the cultural nonsense in which you live. [00:16:50] (30 seconds)

What I am saying is please, please, please do not trust this institution implicitly. Have some skepticism up in here. Amen, somebody. It's okay to have skepticism. That's kind of what makes America, America. We were skeptic of King George in 1776. Amen, somebody. We were skeptic. We were skeptical of taxation without representation. Amen, somebody. We were skeptical of the tea they were selling us. And now we got Starbucks and Dunkin'. Take that, friend. Amen. [00:23:10] (38 seconds)

The scripture says in 1 John, test everything. Test everything. Who should I? You should even be testing me. Test all things that you hear, Christian, because you cannot afford to blissfully be ignorant of what's real and what's false, what's truth and what's lies because your health and your children and your family are at stake. Push through. [00:24:35] (23 seconds)

Her faith was not perfect. Do garments heal? No, Jesus heals. But God still uses imperfect faith when the object of our faith is Jesus. Does somebody need me to say that again? Because some of you, I don't know if I know enough. It's not about what you know, it's about who you know. [00:25:16] (22 seconds)

Listen to your body. Your body can tell you what's wrong. The headache is not just the kids driving you nuts. Something's wrong. You might have a sodium deficiency. You might have a potassium deficiency. The anxiety is telling you young people something physically is wrong. You might have an iron deficiency. There's all kinds of studies coming out. You might have leaky gut. You might have something going on down here where your serotonin is produced that you're not feeding this properly. So it can't produce the hormones necessary to keep you off the anxiety medication. [00:26:06] (35 seconds)

Healing happens when we first, somebody say first, put our faith in God's word over any other. A healthy dose of skepticism. I hope you, I hope I've given you that so far in this series about the government, about the products that people and companies and conglomerates are selling us and calling it food, about the pharmaceutical industry, about even the medical industry. Look, people are fallen. People are fallen. The curse of sin is real and pervasive. And Christians, we march to the beat of a different drummer. We follow our savior. [00:58:47] (39 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does touching Jesus symbolize in healing?

How can believers discern truth over societal lies?

When does physical sensation confirm healing has occurred?