Just Like Dad - Part 2

In part one we talked about continuously sowing, that is, speaking, confessing, God's Word for the purpose of hearing yourself say the same things that God says about you so that your faith grows. (Romans 10:17) To confess means "to disclose; to make known; or to admit something." Confessing God's Word is admitting that God's Word is true. By confessing God's Word, it opens the door to possess the things God has already promised us which is revealed in His Word. However, many fail to grasp this Bible truth thereby never possessing the promises of God. Still others twist this principle and run into the ditch because they have never fully understood it. The fact is, this is God's principle of faith in action, sowing, that is, confessing God's word, which is one of the ways to possess the promises of God. 

The next important part of what is known as the "Parable of the Soils" spoken and explained by Jesus, also contains some very important information concerning our confession, the words that we speak. Keep in mind, as Jesus said, "the seed sown is the Word of God." Next He says, "And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts." (Mark 4:15) Before we go any further, we must look at what is revealed in Matthews gospel, because it sheds important light on what is taking place here. "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside." (Matthew 13:19) 

Mark says when the seed (God's Word) is sown, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. Notice that the Word was sown in the heart. The heart is described as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions; the spirit. Also notice that in this portion of the parable it would appear that Satan could just come along when God's Word is sown and steal it from your heart any time he wants to. However, taking a closer look at this parable, Matthew tells us, "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart." This is the reason why Satan steals God's Word from someone's heart. They heard it but they did not understand it. If you understand the Word of God when it is sown, then Satan cannot come along and steal it from you.

Jesus tells us, "...the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) God's Word is spirit and can only be understood by the recreated spirit. The Apostle Paul tells us, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) The natural man here denotes those who are governed and influenced by natural instincts, the carnal mind, and the sin nature, as opposed to those who are influenced by the Spirit of God. This not only refers to unregenerate people, but all who are influenced by the natural instincts, the carnal mind, and the sin nature, this includes Christians.  

The apostle Paul had dealings with the church at Corinth along the same lines, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) As mentioned above, not only do  unregenerate people not understand the Word of God when it is sown, but this is also why many Christians find it so difficult to understand it also. They are not being led by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16) This then gives opportunity for Satan to come along and steal it from the heart.  

Look at what Jesus tells us about hearing and understanding the Word when it is sown, "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) Jesus assure us that when we hear and understand God's Word, no one, not even Satan can take it away from us!        

Another interesting fact concerning the Word of God when it is sown and whether or not one understands it or not is seen in contrast between two of the many churches the Apostle Paul established in his journey's throughout Asia. The Apostle Paul spent a year and six months teaching in Corinth (Acts 18:11) and they were still carnal (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) and yet he only spent three Sabbaths (three weeks) at Thessalonica (Acts 17:2) and they became a witness of Christ in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8) The main reason why so many Christians do not understand God's Word when it is sown is due to one key element that is missing from their life, faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." (Hebrews 4:2) The writer of Hebrews also tells us, "By faith we understand..." (Hebrews 11:3) and "...without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6) God's Word mixed with faith and then spoken, will cause believers to act and speak just like our Heavenly Father. Why is this so? 

First, let us remember that Jesus said "...the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." Paul tells us, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (2 Timothy 3:16) The scriptures are the infusion or communication of ideas or thoughts from God to man; the revelation of God to man. The Apostle Paul's prayer for the church is, "Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened..." (Ephesians 1:15-18) Paul understood that the faith the believers at Ephesus walked in was due to the revelation that they had received of and from God. The reason why Paul prayed this prayer for the church was that the eyes of their understanding (revelation of God) would be continually enlightened; that they would have a clear view of God, His will, nature, character, purpose and plan. 

Revelation is directly connected to what one believes about God. Without a continuous revelation of God, ones faith will never grow. When I use the phrase "continuous revelation of God" I am not talking about adding to the Bible or subtracting even one word from the Bible. Think about it this way. Did you ever read the same scripture numerous time and then this one particular time you received a greater understanding (a revelation) of that passage? You did not add to the scripture but now you have a greater reality of its meaning. This is a revelation of the scripture that strengthens or increases your faith.   

So, let us not longer "give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27) and permit him to steal God's Word from the heart because we may not understand it, but ask the Father to open the eyes of our understanding that we may receive a greater revelation, that is, a word from the Word that will increase our faith. Paul's desire for that church is, "that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:5) This only comes when we truly open our heart to the Word of God and close it to the doctrines of men. When this happens, you can rest assure that we will act, "Just like Dad."