The Cancer Connection

by Patricia King

Over the last few years, we have seen an increasing number of believers attacked with cancer. This year, one of our team has been fighting a ferocious battle with this very disease. As I was praying for her, the Lord gave me this clear prophetic insight:

Most of the time, when cancer is detected, it is found within the natural body. It begins to assault healthy cells and organs from within. If not stopped, it spreads into other areas of the body and eventually, if unchecked, will bring death to the whole body. There is a parallel between the natural and the spiritual. The Lord revealed that the increase of physical cancer is a sign of a growing destructive spiritual cancer in the Body of Christ.

A dictionary definition of cancer is; any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division.

The key word that the Lord highlighted for me here was division.

He then led me to meditate on 1 Corinthians 11 and revealed some key phrases and thoughts in that chapter.

1. The passage regarding the communion is in the context of division, betrayal, and not rightly discerning the Body.

a. Verse 18 "...as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you..."
b. Verse 23 "... in the night that He was betrayed..."
c. Verse 29 "For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not rightly discern the body".

Note: When we do not appreciate or honor each member, then we don't rightly discern. And, when we judge each other critically, we are not rightly discerning the Body. In the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, although, He was the Christ, many did not discern Him. They were blinded. As a result of not rightly discerning Him, they judged Him and eventually crucified Him.

2. The consequence of divisions, betrayal and not rightly discerning the body is found in verse 30 "For this reason many among you are weak, sick and dying." One of the reasons why the Body of Christ is infected with unhealed diseases could possibly be that we have not rightly discerned each other and walked in division and betrayal. Healthy cells are being devoured by unhealthy cells.

3. If we partake of the body and blood in an unworthy manner (being divisive, walking in betrayal or not rightly discerning each other), then the scripture says we are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (Verse 27-30)

Another insight about cancer:
"Although there are many kinds of cancer, they all start because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells".

In using a spiritual parallel, what is normal cell activity in the Body of Christ?
Galatians 5:22-23 says that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
A person rooted in Christ and walking in the Spirit will manifest these attributes.

What then is abnormal cell activity in the Body of Christ?
It would probably include the opposite of the above, but (Galatians 5:19-21) lists the deeds of the flesh and we are taught in scripture that the carnal flesh is at enmity against the Spirit of God. Some of the deeds of the flesh included in Galatians are: enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying... along with drunkenness, immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery and things like this.
A person walking in the flesh will manifest these types of attributes.

If these "abnormal cells (attributes)" grow out of control, then it is cancerous to the Body and could bring death to the Lord's purpose for our generation if not arrested.

Often, cancer cells travel to other parts of the body where they begin to grow and replace normal tissue.
Cancer must be caught early in order to preserve the Body. If abnormal cells include the opposite to the fruit of spirit as well as divisions, factions, jealousy, strife, dissensions, etc. then let's watch over our hearts to make sure we do not become an out-of-control, abnormal cell, that multiplies and spreads discord and division into the healthy cells in the Body.

A Prophetic Warning

Beware, lest a spiritual cancer bring death to the entire Body. When we judge, criticize, spread discord, and promote division, we are opening the doors for destruction. "But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another." Galatians 5:15

Love must be our greatest aim (1 Corinthians 14:1 LB). The Lord is ready to release increased manifestation of His power through His church. It will be the greatest display of Kingdom manifestation we have ever seen...BUT, this plan can be thwarted if we do not love. Many people will be healed of incurable diseases, resurrections will increase, and those who feel weak will be strengthened when we repent from sins that wound others. May we embrace with sincerity the prayer of Jabez, "...that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" 1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV

Jesus said to Jerusalem that their house would be left desolate until they said, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." (Matthew 23:38, 39). Even though the Lord's plan for us is for blessing and fruitfulness, it can be thwarted if we do not make right choices.

We must walk carefully in this hour. Let's put away critical attitudes, slander, back-biting, evil reports, and judgments. Let's walk in love. May love truly be our greatest aim.