Have you heard “by his stripes we are already healed”?

Most preachers and teachers today use this as a verse to say God doesn’t want you sick. They use it to talk about healing from physical illness or diseases, even going so far as to say it is a promise of God.

I interpret it differently. I believe we are to place value on each stripe and wound laid upon Jesus when he was scourged. If we truly appreciate his suffering, the healing referred to in “by his stripes we are healed” is healing from sin and death. We stop sinning and learn to walk in the light. In other words we strive to live righteously because Jesus suffered and was crucified showing us exactly that, how to live for God.

If you are seeking physical healing, seek it in accordance with James 5:14-15. If you want to truly be healed, appreciate our Lord’s sacrifice and turn from sin.