SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Jeremiah 5:19-31
Philippians 4:6-7

The Lord will give
grace and glory.

FAITH HEALING TODAY (III)

We shall examine the work of John Wimber, a leading faith healer, quoting mainly from Professor Verna Wright’s article in the Sword and Trowel (1987, No. 1). Prof Wright is chief of rheumatology at Leeds University. We quote from the pen of this godly professor:

“Recently John Wimber was in Leeds where he conducted in St George’s church one of his evening meetings. Five of my colleagues (Christian doctors) who go to that church were present. They were so incensed by what they saw that they afterwards wrote an account of their reactions. I will quote to you what they said.

‘There was an hour’s repetitious chorus singing… A fair amount of reeling and writhing commenced at the start of the singing. No space was found for a Scripture reading… The congregation was at no time called to prayers of confession of sin and repentance. ‘Hold out your hands. Feel heat coming through you. Your eyelids may feel heavy. You may feel like falling; some persons may scream. It is all right. You can see the Holy Spirit resting on people, the power of God resting on many.’

Subjects for the team’s healing ministry were gathered from the audience by a team member who took the microphone to broadcast his word of knowledge. There were descriptions of symptoms or illnesses that were being suffered by persons present. Those so described were asked to step forward. The list of conditions was general enough… to fit several in any group of five hundred or more.”

What do we see in the above account? Firstly, we see the clever and crafty exploitation of hypnosis and mass psychotherapy. The Word of God and prayer were given no place. Clairvoyance was expertly employed – a confidence trick of the evil one.

THOUGHT: Clairvoyance is the tool of soothsayers, witches, fortunetellers.
PRAYER: Lord, may I put my trust in Thee only, and Thy infallible Word.