By Hazel Holland
We have already mentioned the danger in the way some in the faith-healing movement are teaching that we can just speak healing or wealth into a situation because of the creative power of the spoken word. The reverse is also taught to be true—that we can speak destructive things into being by our negative words.
Although there is definitely some truth regarding the power of our words to heal and wound people, I'm wondering if this preoccupation with the creative power of our human words has more to do with occult philosophy than any sound biblical theology?
The root of this error has its source in an incorrect Bible hermeneutic (rules for biblical interpretation), combined with a desire for perfection here and now instead of waiting on God’s timetable. Thus many in the faith camp are led to deny the reality of sickness and disease, believing that if we would just exercise our faith, and our authority in Jesus Christ by standing on God’s promises, God would be forced to act in response to our faith when we pray for healing.
Many in the faith healing movement have interpreted the following verse to mean that it is God’s desire for us to always prosper and be in health.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2 (NKJ)
It is true that from the general reading of God’s Word we can see that this is what He ultimately wants for His children, but there are no guarantees in this Scripture (or any other scripture for that matter) that health and prosperity are what God desires for us in the here and now. Health and prosperity will still be according to His sovereign will and timing, not ours.
I found it interesting to discover that when we add verse one and read verse one and two together in context we get a different picture of the intended meaning of this passage.
“The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:1-2 (NKJ)
Now we see that John is wishing his friend, Gaius, good health. It is a greeting very much like the greetings we give one another today when we say, “How have you been?” or “I hope you are well and in good health.” Another example of greetings such as this is found in Romans chapter 16. Throughout the whole chapter Paul is sending various greetings and good wishes to believers in the Lord.
As we go back to third John again and add verses three and four to the passage we have already read, we will see that the context is not even talking about physical health, but spiritual health—faithfully walking in the truth.
“The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:1-4 (NKJ)
The problem with taking Scriptures out of context is that we can make the Scriptures say anything we want. Remember what Paul said to the Galatians?
“So then, what about troublemakers who try to get others to be circumcised? I wish they would go the whole way! I wish they would cut off everything that marks them as men!” Galatians 5:12 (NIRV)
Does this mean that God wants men to castrate themselves? Of course not! Taking Scriptures out of context and deciding that they have a double or extra meaning is NOT a good practice, because we can manipulate them to say anything we want them to say.
So what’s behind the “Prosperity Gospel”? Nothing more than John's personal wish for his friend, Gaius. Obviously this personal wish should not be taken as a universal promise of health and wealth for all believers in Jesus Christ.
(To continue this study go to "Meaning of Greater Works Promise" at:
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