The Authority of the Believer
Brethren, let us turn our hearts and minds to the profound truth of Christ’s finished work on the cross, specifically as it applies to the common ailments of our children, like the cold and flu. The Scriptures, from Matthew to Revelation, reveal a recurring theme: Jesus, in His earthly ministry, healed the sick and cast out demons not as God operating in His omnipotent power, but as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. He “emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:6-8) and performed no miracles until the Spirit descended upon Him. This is a crucial distinction, for it shows us that Jesus’s actions were meant to be a pattern for His followers. He gave us exousia, which is God’s delegated authority to act on His behalf. This is not a suggestion; it is a command.
The serpent, that old deceiver, still whispers the same lie he spoke to Eve: to doubt God’s plain words. He would have us believe that our children’s sickness, whether a simple cold or more severe symptoms like shortness of breath, confusion, or dehydration, is just a natural part of life and that we should simply endure it. But the Word of God is clear. “By whose stripes you were healed” (Isaiah 53:5). This is a statement of an accomplished fact. Our redemption from sickness was fully purchased and paid for in the body of our crucified Lord. To believe this without doubt is to receive deliverance.
The Word is our sword. When Satan assails you with sickness in your child, you must declare, as Jesus did, “It is written!” The promise is that they who believe shall “recover.” We must not continually ask God for things He has already given us. He has already granted us the authority, the power, and the promise of healing. To pray for “more power” is to question the sufficiency of Christ’s gift. It is an absurdity. Instead, let us exercise the faith He has given us and use the authority we have been granted in His Name.
As with salvation, healing is received by faith, not by works. The natural man relies on remedies, but the child of God is called to trust in the finished work of Christ. We are part of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), and if one part suffers, the whole body is affected. It is God’s will for us to be whole, just as it is His will for all to be saved. Not all will receive it, for some will refuse to believe, but that does not negate God’s will. Our part is to believe and act on that faith. The healing of a paralytic in Acts was not a demonstration of Peter and John’s power, but of the power in the Name of Jesus. Therefore, when your child is suffering, whether with a cough or a fever, you are to apply the name of Jesus to that situation.
The Believer’s Walk of Faith in the Face of Sickness
My friends, the journey of faith is not always easy, especially when it involves the health of our little ones. We are like sheep who often go our own way, stubborn and hard-headed, straying from the Shepherd’s voice. When we choose our own path, we miss out on the fat pastures and the full benefits of His covenant, including divine healing and protection. If we desire the Lord’s prosperity and healing for our children, we must be fully obedient, following Him wherever He leads. The Lord is the strength of our life (Exodus 15:26), and He has promised to put none of the diseases of the world upon us.
Consider the example of Epaphroditus, a faithful servant of Paul, who became sick and nearly died from overworking. He was so zealous for the Gospel and for helping Paul that he neglected his own well-being. But in God’s mercy, he recovered, a testament to the Lord’s faithfulness. This shows us that our zealousness should not be a replacement for wisdom and trust in God’s provision. Our walk must be a balance of fervent labor and unwavering faith in the One who sustains us. We must not neglect the spiritual needs of our children when they are ill, just as we would not neglect their physical needs.
The story of the boy who the apostles failed to heal reveals a profound truth. Jesus told the father, “If thou canst believe….” Jesus was not shirking responsibility, but placing the emphasis on the father’s faith. The father’s cry, “Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief,” is a model for us all. Even when our faith is weak, we can call upon the Lord to strengthen it. This is why a family, whose son was at death’s door, gathered people and proclaimed his healing, even when he looked anything but. They preached the Word and acted on it, and God honored their faith. When a child is confused, dizzy, or lightheaded, or has a dry nappy for 12 hours, you as the parent must stand in the gap and declare the Word of God over them. You must refuse to accept the lie that this is a “normal” part of being a child.
In the end, all of life and ministry comes down to this: “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” We cannot bear fruit, be healthy, or be whole without being utterly surrendered and linked to Him. He has given Himself completely to us, and He asks us to give ourselves completely to Him. Let us be strong, healthy branches, full of His divine life and power. When the symptoms of sickness—be it a cough, a fever, or shortness of breath—manifest in your child, do not be afraid. Instead, believe. Declare the word of God. Anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. Call upon the elders to pray. For it is in our belief and in our action that the power of God is released, proving that our bodies, and the bodies of our children, are indeed for the Lord.
Join Me in a Prayer for Healing If you are looking for physical relief and a moment of spiritual peace, I invite you to pray along with me in this video. Let’s stand in faith together.
For more information on managing symptoms, hydration, and when to see a doctor for respiratory viruses, please visit the Mayo Clinic Guide to Common Cold or the Mayo Clinic Guide to Influenza (Flu).
Prayer Request Page:
Lorna and Tony will pray for your healing.
About the Authors:
Tony and Lorna Egar are dedicated Christians based in Brisbane, Australia.
With a heart for seeing the sick made whole.
Lorna moves in a gift of healing that isn’t confined to church walls; she has witnessed God’s power touch lives in supermarkets, city parks, and everyday street encounters.
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