A while back I decided I wanted to change everything about my bedroom so I completely redecorated it with a theme of Love but not just any love, God’s Love. The other morning, I woke up and my eyes were locked on a single word from one of the signs on my wall. The word was flesh. I began to read the entire sign over and over because even though I have seen this passage of scripture a million times, it was almost like I was seeing it for the first time. I knew that it wasn’t taken from the King James Version as most decorative signs are written in ESV or NIV, probably because of the simplicity of the words. The scripture from the sign was Proverbs 3:5-8 and it turned out to be written in the English Standard Version.
Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)
5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
As I said earlier, the word that stood out to me when I was reading this scripture was flesh. I know that the King James Version of scripture is the closest and most accurately written version we have to the original writings so not only do I read from the King James Version but if I see something in another version I like to compare the two.
Let’s read how this same scripture reads in the KJV and focus on the word “flesh”.
Proverbs 3:5-8(KJV)
5. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
As you can see some of the words have changed but again the word I was focusing on was flesh, so what does the KJV say exactly? It says “it shall be health to thy navel”. Does what I woke up seeing still hold true? Let’s find out what exactly is a navel.
The Webster’s definition of navel is:
- a rounded, knotty depression in the center of a person’s belly caused by the detachment of the umbilical cord after birth; the umbilicus.
- the central point of a place.
This morning, the word flesh brought a whole new meaning to this passage for me but after seeing the word navel and it’s definition, I am growing in excitement because it is becoming clearer that what I see is true. You see it is clear in this passage of scripture that no matter what version you go to, it is not talking about a spiritual healing but rather a physical healing. Flesh and bones as it says in ESV or navel and bones as we see in KJV.
In the KJV we see that not only is it referring to flesh but a specific piece of flesh. Not one from just off your arm or off your thigh but specifically it is referring to a piece of flesh that when you are in your mother’s womb, this is the location the umbilical cord carries oxygen and nutrients to you. Navel is also referred to as the center point of a place which we know in our walk with Christ is exactly where we want to be. So now that I have confidence that this is referring to the physical body, what is it saying? It clearly says to turn away from evil as doing so will be healing to your flesh and bones.
I am sure that most of us have heard a pastor or minister tell somebody that maybe they did not receive their healing because they were lacking something or didn’t do something on their end. I also know that most of us have thought of this to be an absurd accusation, but what does scripture say? You see sometimes we run for so long thinking and believing in something that we forget why we think that way or realize we never really knew why. Is it possible that scripture is telling us if we want to see physical healing to our bodies that we must actually turn from evil? There are those who will argue that they have seen God heal unsaved people who are living a life in sin and constantly doing evil things, so this cannot be true. Yes, God does heal people who are unsaved but you see He has a way of doing things to show himself to those who don’t know the truth. He also has a way of revealing himself through miracles and wonders. With that being said, there is a big difference between a believer and a non-believer.
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:48
We as believers know what is right and what is wrong in Gods eyes while the world does not. Because we know not to do evil, could it be if we still do it that we could be blocking our healing? I think the biggest argument that this brings is the thought of being saved by your works. The simple fact is that salvation is a completely different subject and it has nothing to do with receiving physical healing to your flesh (navel) and bones.
Lastly if you will, look at this scripture.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
You see if we are followers of Jesus Christ and we know not to do evil, much more is expected of us. It is safe to say that we could all stand to do a little bit of house cleaning. Ask yourself, what is in your life that could possibly be blocking you from receiving what God has for you? Maybe you have an addiction to something and it is time to get rid of that addiction and let God deliver you from it.
If we humble ourselves and we pray and ask God to show us what evil we might have in our life that He wants us to turn from, maybe, just maybe we will start to see more results when we pray for healing.
Later guys.
