John 5:2-9 says, Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
In this scene, it clearly shows how the bed of “unbelief” keeps man from getting healed, recognizing God when He comes, and walking in power. Here are a few points that show how man is paralyzed from unbelief.
1. The man could not see, hear, or even except God as his healer because of the years of watching a protocol of how to be healed. This is a big problem today. Man tends to watch great formulated ways how to get healed instead of watching for God. When man’s eyes are more on protocol than God, he conforms his conscience into believing that protocol and formulas are God. This breeds unbelief and blindness toward God.
2. Dreadful prolonged circumstances can conform the mind to argue with God when He comes to heal. (When Jesus asked him to be healed, instead of saying “yes” to God, he answered back with a spirit of unbelief, by questioning God.)
3. This man also relied on man to get him healed instead of God. Man focus instead of God produces a spirit of frustration,hopelessness, and unbelief towards God.
3. Unbelief is a spirit that questions God through debate.
4. Jesus is the only one that can destroy all demonic torment of unbelief.
5. Years of watching others getting healed instead of himself, hardened his heart toward Jesus and he almost missed his visitation. Nevertheless, the bible says in Hebrews 3:15 – when you hear his voice, do not harden your heart as in the day of the rebellion.
5. Believe!