Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14

There are plenty of candidates in the Bible for “Most Disobeyed Verse.” Just in the Book of James, I think of James 1:2: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” Or there’s James 1:19: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” And plenty of others!

But at the top of the list I would put James 5:14: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Many churches don’t do this. Most Christians don’t obey this.

Why not? Is it a hassle to call for the elders? Is it a bit awkward to smear oil on someone’s forehead? Do we not believe that God still heals people? Or do we not really believe in the power of prayer?

Perhaps all of these are involved. But God’s command stands clear. Do it. If there is a sickness, then call for the elders, God’s representatives to shepherd the body. Let them pray over you, anointing you with oil, as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Who knows what God might do when we obey him no matter what!