A Second Opinion
With the increased public concern over health care, it is normal that people ask the question; “What is God’s part?” in all of
this discussion. GEMinistries is focused on the promotion and support of Christian arts, but the use of art [especially
Christian art] to assist in better health is well documented. Also, it is easier to pray, create and evangelize when we are
healthy rather than in pain.
Once, after I gave my testimony of supernatural healing, I was asked “So you don’t believe in doctors?” I answered; “I
believe doctors exist. I just haven’t needed to use one.” Faith for healing is not a question of whether or not to get medical
attention when a symptom occurs. The question is the order of the sources of diagnosis, and who is the authority
concerning health [finances, relationships, etc].
First, we must understand that God promises divine healing and health to us all. “If you diligently heed the voice of the
LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of
the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” [Exodus 15:26] Second, we
must accept that we are all are given the responsibility, by the will of God, to choose life and blessing for our lives. I call
heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore
choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; Deuteronomy 30:19] I am not saying we choose to get sick. We
do however make choices that can lead to blessing or cursing. The last time I chose to finish the pie because there were
“only 3 slices left” or when you decided to “super-size” for a dollar more, we made a choice that shows up later on the
bathroom scale. We all make choices that have physical repercussions, both good and bad. The best choice is to submit
all our choices to God and resist temptation. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. [ James 4:
7]
Still, we live in a world that has been subjected to generations of sin. There are many thorns and briers out there that are
not of our own making. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
[Romans 8:22] When a health challenge arises, the real question is, where do we go for our 1st “opinion” and then, if
necessary, where to go for a 2nd? Over the years of being called to pray for healing, most of the time, it is after the doctor’s
diagnosis. Many times it is after the doctors have given up hope and it is like being called upon for a second opinion. The
problem then arises when people have signed over there right to choose treatment procedures to the physicians in charge.
At that point, the diagnosis is “law.” We are left praying for the physician’s wisdom, for a speedy recovery, and against the
treatment’s side effects. Nothing is impossible for God to overcome, but great faith is needed to receive healing, rebuke the
spirit of pain, call to no effect words of doubt and discouragement, AND not be afflicted medication side effects.
Now, we are not recommending people not go to doctors, but declaring that we all must go to God first for the “diagnosis”
and “treatment!” Then, if we are directed by the Spirit to get a second opinion, we go to the person God directs us to go.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. [Matthew 6:33] Since
the Lord is Truth, the second opinion should in agreement with the first. If it is a doctor and that report differs from the report
of the Lord, there can only be error in “man’s opinion.” Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar (or in error).
[Romans 3:4] If a report comes that is hopeless or is contrary to God’s Word, the report has to be dealt with before it
erodes faith, hope or love. [Just a reminder this applies to every facet of blessing in our life; health, finances, relationships].
We must put God’s Word as an authoritative first
All other authority, professional counsel, field study, and independent research [as good as it may be] falls under the
wisdom and understanding of God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
We had the opportunity to pray for a young lady who had undergone a medical procedure during pregnancy that left a
pinhole in her spine. Most people who have this procedure, experience nothing as the hole closes quickly. This fine, faith-
filled, young lady was the “exception.” As she rose from bed fluid pressure dropped in the spine causing pain twice as bad
a migraine. So here is a mom, at home with a newborn, and the medical advice is to come back in for spinal surgery after
waiting for a couple of days. We happened to be calling to hear how the baby and mom were doing and found this
condition.
We immediately came over, prayed in the power of the Holy Spirit and the lady was free from any symptom. She rose out of
bed with no pain and was able to attend to her new baby. Now we didn’t refute the doctor’s opinion. God’s best was for her
to be out of pain now, the hole closed and no operation was needed. God’s opinion was first place, all others were second.
As we move into an era of more people being involved with opinions on how our personal health should be maintained
[medical scientists, doctors, politicians, bureaucrats, etc] we need to remain focused. Not excluding reason and research,
but holding up the opinion of learned men and women to the light of the unquestionable wisdom of the Word of God… then
act. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
[John 3:21]
Love In Christ,
Gregory & Linda Emler
With the increased public concern over health care, it is normal that people ask the question; “What is God’s part?” in all of
this discussion. GEMinistries is focused on the promotion and support of Christian arts, but the use of art [especially
Christian art] to assist in better health is well documented. Also, it is easier to pray, create and evangelize when we are
healthy rather than in pain.
Once, after I gave my testimony of supernatural healing, I was asked “So you don’t believe in doctors?” I answered; “I
believe doctors exist. I just haven’t needed to use one.” Faith for healing is not a question of whether or not to get medical
attention when a symptom occurs. The question is the order of the sources of diagnosis, and who is the authority
concerning health [finances, relationships, etc].
First, we must understand that God promises divine healing and health to us all. “If you diligently heed the voice of the
LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of
the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” [Exodus 15:26] Second, we
must accept that we are all are given the responsibility, by the will of God, to choose life and blessing for our lives. I call
heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore
choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; Deuteronomy 30:19] I am not saying we choose to get sick. We
do however make choices that can lead to blessing or cursing. The last time I chose to finish the pie because there were
“only 3 slices left” or when you decided to “super-size” for a dollar more, we made a choice that shows up later on the
bathroom scale. We all make choices that have physical repercussions, both good and bad. The best choice is to submit
all our choices to God and resist temptation. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. [ James 4:
7]
Still, we live in a world that has been subjected to generations of sin. There are many thorns and briers out there that are
not of our own making. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
[Romans 8:22] When a health challenge arises, the real question is, where do we go for our 1st “opinion” and then, if
necessary, where to go for a 2nd? Over the years of being called to pray for healing, most of the time, it is after the doctor’s
diagnosis. Many times it is after the doctors have given up hope and it is like being called upon for a second opinion. The
problem then arises when people have signed over there right to choose treatment procedures to the physicians in charge.
At that point, the diagnosis is “law.” We are left praying for the physician’s wisdom, for a speedy recovery, and against the
treatment’s side effects. Nothing is impossible for God to overcome, but great faith is needed to receive healing, rebuke the
spirit of pain, call to no effect words of doubt and discouragement, AND not be afflicted medication side effects.
Now, we are not recommending people not go to doctors, but declaring that we all must go to God first for the “diagnosis”
and “treatment!” Then, if we are directed by the Spirit to get a second opinion, we go to the person God directs us to go.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. [Matthew 6:33] Since
the Lord is Truth, the second opinion should in agreement with the first. If it is a doctor and that report differs from the report
of the Lord, there can only be error in “man’s opinion.” Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar (or in error).
[Romans 3:4] If a report comes that is hopeless or is contrary to God’s Word, the report has to be dealt with before it
erodes faith, hope or love. [Just a reminder this applies to every facet of blessing in our life; health, finances, relationships].
We must put God’s Word as an authoritative first
All other authority, professional counsel, field study, and independent research [as good as it may be] falls under the
wisdom and understanding of God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
We had the opportunity to pray for a young lady who had undergone a medical procedure during pregnancy that left a
pinhole in her spine. Most people who have this procedure, experience nothing as the hole closes quickly. This fine, faith-
filled, young lady was the “exception.” As she rose from bed fluid pressure dropped in the spine causing pain twice as bad
a migraine. So here is a mom, at home with a newborn, and the medical advice is to come back in for spinal surgery after
waiting for a couple of days. We happened to be calling to hear how the baby and mom were doing and found this
condition.
We immediately came over, prayed in the power of the Holy Spirit and the lady was free from any symptom. She rose out of
bed with no pain and was able to attend to her new baby. Now we didn’t refute the doctor’s opinion. God’s best was for her
to be out of pain now, the hole closed and no operation was needed. God’s opinion was first place, all others were second.
As we move into an era of more people being involved with opinions on how our personal health should be maintained
[medical scientists, doctors, politicians, bureaucrats, etc] we need to remain focused. Not excluding reason and research,
but holding up the opinion of learned men and women to the light of the unquestionable wisdom of the Word of God… then
act. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
[John 3:21]
Love In Christ,
Gregory & Linda Emler
