Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. - 3Jo 1:2
To prosper means to succeed in reaching a destination on your journey. Prosper, euodoo in the Greek, is compounded from two Greek words. One of the words mean good and the other means progress.
Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free (Isa 61) and He commanded the disciples and those who follow Him to go out and disciple nations. Jesus said when they went out signs would follow, deliverance and healings would take place (Mar 16). Because the promises of God are yes and Amen and He never changes, we can conclude that our journey in Christ should be of good health.
When our souls are healthy everything else can be healthy as well. When we are soul sick we can become oppressed by demonic spirits that attack our entire being. To "be in health" means to be uncorrupt in doctrine, be safe and sound, and be well in the body. Metaphorically it is used of Christians being free from any mixture of error in their belief.
The Sick Need a Doctor
Jesus said that "they that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick." Luk 5:31 KJV
There are various types of sicknesses including error. Those that are in doctrinal error are considered to be sick, whereby they cannot prosper in all the ways intended by God. The reason for this is because the lost do not have the truth for if they had the truth it would set them free. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - Jhn 8:32
Some ways that our souls can become infirmed which can make our bodies sick as well are:
Hopelessness -- We can become sick in our hearts when we lose hope. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But [when] the desire comes, [it is] a tree of life. - Pro 13:12
Physical Sickness -- When we are physically sick we can complain about it and become bitter in our souls, which can further exasperate our sickness. While Job was under a demonic assault he said, "Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." - Job 7:11
Sin -- When one is given into temptation whereby they fail the grace of God the whole of the soul may become defiled with bitterness and in turn defile everyone else around. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled; - Heb 12:15 KJV
A Bound Soul -- a soul can be tied with another person out of sin through sex outside of God's covenant marriage or created design between a man and woman. A soul can be bound to a friend, counselor, mentor or another type of godly relationship that suddenly goes bad. When this happens, such as was the case with David and Saul, then the soul becomes bound to the sickness of another, in this case jealousy. Saul was so jealous of David that he wanted to murder him. A jealous soul can lead to murder.
Love Never Fails
There is but one way to be free from any and all emotional soul sickness, the Way of Love; Jesus Christ.
Soul sickness and physical bondage are tormenting and make everything we do difficult. It is like walking through quicksand when we are mentally or physically ill. We are commanded to seek God with all our heart and soul (Deut 4:29) and to ... love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deut 6:5
Seeking and loving God with all our heart and soul is not possible if we are fragmented in these areas. A broken heart and wounded soul are tormented. Only Jesus can heal it and bring us to a place of love where torment must go.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. - 1Jo 4:18-19
Because of Gods desire to have all of us, He sent Jesus Christ to repair the damages of a broken world. God commands something only He can truly bring forth. It is His love towards us that draws us near to Him and in the nearness of a loving God we find healing.
He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. - Psa 147:3
The term brokenhearted, actually means shattered. If our heart which is part of our soul is shattered, then those broken pieces cannot love God or anyone else.
What You Can Do
Soul and physical sicknesses do not have to be your identity and ruler. There are physical, emotional, and physical ways to overcome these various trials of life.
Identify the problem if it is not obvious.
1. Soul problem – If you find yourself emotionally reactive to people and situations, but you do not understand why then the first step is discovery.
Seek out a person who will pray with you and give you an honest and biblical assessment of your situation.
Next, apply the word of God over your emotions and practice walking in freedom until you have the victory.
2. Physical problem – If you have a physical issue and a diagnosis with the available treatment, you must put it in the proper perspective. A diagnosis is just that, a diagnosis, not an identity.
Do not allow a physical problem to take over your identity.
Read scriptures that allow your mind to remember God’s sovereignty and your inheritance as a child of God.
Eat right, take proper nutritional supplements, and exercise.
Take time to rest and allow yourself to do so, take a mini vacation, and talk about the emotions connected to the sickness with a trusted person who will not allow you to fall into self-pity.
3. Spiritual problem – If you have done all the necessary steps to counsel and pray through issues but still cannot find freedom, it is time to seek a spiritual professional.
Seek out a trusted individual in the Christian ministry with credentials and testimonials to support their character and biblical ability to operate in healing and deliverance.Identify the spiritual openings in your life, usually generational or sin issues.
Cast those demons out and take your ground!
Let’s pray,
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the cross on Calvary that has given me freedom through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for making a way to walk out of sickness and walk in prosperity in my life and in every area. I ask You to open the doors for me to have the right relationships in my life to help me be accountable to You in my walk with Jesus. I pray for those who have and will come alongside me to help me, and I pray they have a life submitted to You and a willing heart to help set the captives free. I also pray that You will use me to walk alongside another and help them be free. In Jesus name, Amen