EN－①－B－01－ Basic Teaching 2026 Edition (ver.9) Group B Relationships with People
(Part 1) Introduction・Healing of Heart Wounds 2025/07/15
■ Dealing with Past Wounds
Sometimes people unconsciously avoid someone. At other times, they may act in a way that seems rejecting.
At the root of such behavior, in fact, it is not so much the person in front of us who is the cause, but rather past emotional wounds received from others that are projected onto the present person and trigger a reaction.
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The term “heart wounds” here refers not only to obvious traumatic events, but also to life perspectives formed in the growth process, the shaping of thought patterns, and many other things.
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One of the reasons Christ came to this earth was “to heal the brokenhearted” (Isaiah 61:1).
Therefore, God can heal our heart wounds.
However, although healing can be received if we come to God, we often see the problem that heart wounds prevent us from experiencing the very means God uses for healing?Christian fellowship as a community (which will be explained later).
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What an irony it is that the opportunity for healing is taken away by the wounds themselves. In such a state, even if someone attends church for many years, sings praises, and listens to messages, there may still be no release.
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In Japan it is said, “Even if people are saved, the average length they continue attending church is about two and a half years.” This is not based on formal data, but it is the general impression pastors share. One significant reason this happens is that heart wounds are left unattended, which in a sense is like sowing the seed of the Gospel on rocky ground (Matthew 13:5-6).
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For this reason, this B course provides discussion material under the theme of “relationships with people,” in order to be transformed into those who are made whole. Today’s study is a preparation, as a preface, for planting good seed (Matthew 13:1-8).
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■ Two Ways God Uses for Healing
There are broadly two ways God uses to bring inner healing. One is a spiritual way, and the other is through community. However, as will be explained later, even the latter is deeply involved with the Spirit of God.
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.1) By the Power of the Holy Spirit
In John 15 the Holy Spirit is expressed with the word *Parakletos*, which means “Advocate, one called alongside.” In other passages, Christ Himself is called Counselor.
Romans 5:3?5 says that in the midst of suffering, God’s love is poured out through the Holy Spirit. It is through experiencing this unconditional love that healing takes place. Representative means of promoting this include the Word, praise, prayer, and especially praying in tongues.
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.2) Through Community
When we hear “community,” we may think of healing steps such as empathy or active listening. Certainly, that is included. But we must also recognize that the power of the Holy Spirit works through community.
The reason is that when a healthy community is formed, Christ Himself is present there.
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Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst.” And the verse just before speaks of “agreement,” meaning that in a united community, the Spirit of God works powerfully.
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And when there is an atmosphere of bearing one another’s burdens, Galatians 6:2?“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”?is put into practice. This means that even though we are imperfect, God regards us as having met His standard. This becomes a great power for healing.
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■ People as Instruments of Healing
Earlier we mentioned that when someone reacts with unusual fear or sensitivity toward others, the real cause may not be the person in front of them but a hidden problem from the past. In that sense, it can be said that “since coming to church, inner issues have surfaced”?that is, “problems in relationships with people have appeared.”
This may be because God has begun surgery on the heart in order to bring healing to your innermost being.
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The biblical basis for God using people around us to bring healing is found in this passage:
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(John 11:43-44) When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him and let him go.”
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This is the scene where Christ raises the dead Lazarus. The resurrection of Lazarus symbolizes our souls being saved by believing in Christ. Lazarus had been dead three days, and his body had decayed, but Christ raised him instantly by the power and authority of God. Likewise, even if we are living like the dead, by believing in Christ we can be saved in an instant.
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However, not everything was automatically restored. Lazarus was indeed alive again, but his body was still bound in grave clothes. If he remained in that condition, he could not live a normal life.
Yet Christ Himself did not unbind the cloths. Instead, He instructed the people around Lazarus to do so.
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This applies to our lives as well. Believing in Jesus as Lord brings instant salvation, but that does not necessarily mean that all wounds are healed and all past curses or bondages are broken. In many cases, for healing to come, these must be unbound one by one. Just as people around Lazarus were used for his release, relationships with people become instruments of healing.
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However, being an instrument of healing does not always mean playing a glamorous role.
The first way people may be used is more like sensors?by clashing with us, they reveal the location of hidden problems. Just like X-rays or CT scans, the stress of human relationships exposes the wounded parts of our hearts.
For example, problems common in marriage or causes of complications are often not so much about the spouse in front of us, but about baggage carried from the past. If so, then even an irritating spouse is not the enemy, but can be seen as “God’s instrument.” With such a perspective, we can view stressful relational situations more objectively.
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This is an important point. When we feel problems in relationships with others?including church members?although the other person may indeed have weaknesses or faults, it is a waste to stop gathering, cut off the relationship, or withdraw. That only covers over the problem, and is not an effective solution.
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The healing God brings is not only for solving the problem in front of us, but includes past wounds as well?it is holistic, concerning the whole person.
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■ The First Step Toward Healing
Since wounds caused by people are healed through God’s work operating through people, we can bear one another’s burdens and pray for each other. It is not possible here to list all the steps of healing, but we will mention some key points.
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The first step is to realize that our own problems include past wounds?especially those received in parent-child relationships.
However, many people do not recognize this. They sense a vague darkness within but live without knowing the cause. Therefore, for dealing with this, an earlier step?a “Step Zero”?is needed.
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This is “listening”?paying attention to a person’s story. It is about drawing out what is inside of them, and through this, their hearts can begin to find clarity.
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This is why, even in Basic Study, we avoid immediately teaching or correcting someone right after they share.
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And in order for the healing process to flow smoothly, what is needed in the church is an atmosphere of accepting one another’s weaknesses. Where there is love and unity, the Spirit of God works. For that is God’s very nature. In this way, the gathering of people in the church becomes God’s instrument for healing.
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Moreover, those with longer faith history, or those in leadership positions, should especially share their own weaknesses, struggles, and failures. By doing so, those around them can be reassured, realizing, “Even though they look impressive, actually, they’re not so different.” When people understand that this is a safe place without the need to put on tension, they can open their own hearts and share about themselves.