Biblical Healing: How God Designed Our Souls to Heal

In the Bible, God provides us with an outline of different ways we can be healed and freed from the pains of the world.

Quick Review: Human Nature & Sin

In Genesis 1 & 2, God designed us perfectly in His image to live in harmony and intimate relationship with Him. Then in Genesis 3, we were tempted and sin entered our nature, creating an imperfect world that disconnects us from God. Understanding the way God designed us and the impact of sin helps us align with God's will for our lives and remove the things that keep us bound. Sin is anything that violates God's will and character, and separates us from Him. We know how to identify it by learning the character of God through the Word and developing an intimate relationship with the triune God (Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit).

Let's take a look at three key modes of healing found in the Bible:

Confession & Repentance through Conviction

Key Scripture: "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." — James 5:16

The Word of God highlights how important it is for us to confess our sins to each other. Importantly, not being judged by the person witnessing the confession gives space to healing. In 1 John 1, it is written that if we bring the things hidden in the darkness into the light, God can cleanse and heal us of it -- no longer chained to shame and the burden of sin or trauma.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9

Scripture describes how carrying unconfessed sin and hidden burdens can affect the whole person, even to the point of affecting our physical well-being.

"When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long." — Psalm 32:3

Confession is acknowledging our sin before God, whereas repentance is a change of mind and direction that turns away from sin and toward God. Through repentance, we apologize to the Father for the sin, receive the free gift of forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus Christ, and change our ways.

"Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin... Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." — Ezekiel 18:30–31

The Holy Spirit will convict us (John 16:8) of the things that grieve the Father's heart so that we can be renewed.

"For godly sorrow (conviction) produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world (shame & guilt) produces death." — 2 Corinthians 7:10

Repentance is a transformative act that brings us into closer relationship with God. Through repentance and faith in Christ, we are cleansed of the past and walk in the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) found in Jesus Christ.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." — 2 Chronicles 7:14

By turning from our wicked ways, we are renouncing the ways of the world and the lies of the enemy. This means that we are choosing to stand in agreement with the promises and truth of God's Word.

Renewing of the Mind

Key Scripture: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." — Romans 12:2

Scripture instructs believers to tear down strongholds and take thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:3–5), for we must be careful not to give a foothold to the devil(Ephesians 4:26–27). We must fill our minds with the truth of God's Word and expel the lies planted by the enemy.

Thoughts influence our beliefs and vice versa. These beliefs will infiltrate our hearts and be expressed in our behavior (Proverbs 27:19). Mind renewal is a daily intentional practice that is developed over time and becomes richer throughout our lives. It is the core of what is considered a "growth mindset".

Forgiveness

Key Scripture: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." — Matthew 6:14

Because we have been justified to God through Jesus Christ, we have been completely forgiven by God of all unrighteousness. We forgive others, not just because we have been forgiven, but it is a free gift for us.

Forgiveness releases us from holding onto a debt that we feel a person owes us due to the pain inflicted on us. But since Jesus has taken on all transgressions, this is not our burden to carry. By releasing this, we free ourselves from the chains that come with unforgiveness.

"Lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled." — Hebrews 12:15

Unforgiveness is the first step that leads to deeper issues of the soul - including bitterness, anger, and physical ailments. Forgiveness does not entail reconciliation with the person who harmed us. When we forgive, we can be released of many other afflictions since it is a deep root of many issues of the soul.

Summary

God provided us with tools to deal with the adversity we experience in this life. Repentance, mind renewal, and forgiveness are only a few of the many methods available to us.

Fundamentally, He wants us to return to the original design He has for us. To know our original design, we must know the temperament of our soul. To learn more about temperament, click here.