Who Said That

"When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16) Notice, in this passage, Jesus uncovers some important information that believers need to be fully aware of. Jesus asks, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?...“But who do you say that I am?” Just prior to this He warns the disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:6) Marks records it this way, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (Mark 8:15) 

After Peter confession of who Jesus is, Jesus reveals what will happen to Him in Jerusalem. Next, we see Peter taking Jesus aside and saying to Him, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matthew 16:22) Jesus makes another statement that believers also need to pay close attention to, "But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23) So, what is it of such great importance that believers must see and understanding concerning what Jesus is revealing here? He is showing us there are three voices, man's, God's and Satan's, that are speaking. Which one(s) are we listening to?  

Notice, that only Peter responded to, "who do you say that I am?" We must assume that the other disciples either did not know, were not sure and therefore were afraid to speak out, or that the voice of man was louder to them than the voice of God. With all that is going on in the world today, it can be easy for believers to hear man's voice and live in fear. Jesus said, "men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth..." (Luke 21:26) People will (and do) live in fear, not due to what is happening now, but due to "the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth." This happens because they listen to the voice of man over the voice of God. Notice also, that Jesus rebukes Peter because Peter listened to the voice of the devil even though he had just heard the voice of God and spoke it aloud. Believer, do not be naive! Peter was living with Jesus. He saw the miracles, he heard the Good News, he confessed that Jesus was the Son of the living God and yet he listened to and spoke the words of Satan. 

Jesus tells us to, "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (Sadducees) and the leaven of Herod.” The voice of man is not limited to what the unsaved world (Herod) would say , but also what faithless church leaders (Pharisees and Sadducees) who rely on their intellect to interpret God's Word rather than the Holy Spirit. (John 16:13) If we are not listening to the voice of God, then it only stands to reason, we will listen to the voice of man, or the voice of Satan. Jesus also warns us to, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given." (Mark 4:24) We are to beware as to what we hear, because what we hear will take root in our heart. (Mark 4:15) Therefore, what we hear is the measure of what we use and what we use is the measure that we will receive back. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:7-8) 

Why is this so important for us to understand? Honestly and unfortunately, far to many believers live in worry over what man is saying, which ultimately produces the words of Satan coming from their mouth. Any words that come from our mouth that speaks contrary to God's Word are influenced by man, but ultimately, by Satan. We see this clearly in the scripture examples shown above. Jesus was going to be put to death in Jerusalem which caused Peter to be concerned and or filled with fear of this future event. This opened the door for him to be influenced by the voice of Satan, to focus on and speak what he apparently saw as a serious problem. Fear always opens the door to the voice of Satan, because fear comes from him and it will neutralize any faith that we have. (2 Timothy 1:7) If we look at the ministry of Jesus, we see the He only spoke the solution, God's Word, never the problem. We see this clearly illustrated in Jesus' ministry through the miracles, signs, wonders and the preaching and teaching that He did. Going to Jerusalem and being killed was not a problem for Jesus, although Jesus surely understood the horrific punishment that was coming, but the ultimate and only solution to meet the need of all humanity, satisfy justice and reconciled humanity to God. 

Look what the Apostle James tells us, "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless." (James 1:26) The words coming from our mouth will cause our heart (spirit) to be deceived if we do not watch over our words. Look at the Word spoken by Solomon, "You are snared by the words of your mouth;You are taken by the words of your mouth." (Proverbs 6:2) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 6:2) My friends, this is serious business.  Many of the problems that we face in life can be averted if we would simply watch our speech. Believers may want to blame Satan for most of their problems, but most times, the real problem can be found about one inch below the nose. 

The Apostle Paul tells us, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) So, if hearing God's Word produces faith, which is a spiritual force, then we need to also recognize that there is another spiritual force at work, fear. Fear comes by hearing the word of the devil. This is one of the reasons why Jesus tells us to "take heed to what you hear." Many believers do not even realize that they quote the words of the devil. Have you ever spoken any of the following phrases over yourself or over another person? "That drives me crazy...I'm sick and tired...I can never make ends meet...I can't afford to give...It always happens to me...I'm just a clumsy person...What's the use of living...I give up...Over my dead body...I laughed so hard I almost died...God never hears my prayers...I never hear God's voice...I don't understand the Bible" These are but a few negative phrases or words that believers inadvertently permit to flow from their mouths which are contrary to God's Word. The unfortunate thing is, most believers do not know that such language has power over them. (Look again at Proverbs 6:2; 18:21). To say things such as these and then following it up by saying, "Well I did say that , but I really did not mean it, God knows what I mean," does not change the power of such words and their effect on your life and or the life of others. 

Believers need to control the words that come out of our mouths. God created man in His own image and likeness which has been restored through God's wonderful plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:24) Jesus said, "all things are possible with God." (Matthew 19:26) So, let us believe and speak God's Word. Let us confess continuously, "I hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, the voice of the stranger I will not follow." (John 10:4-5) "I let no corrupt words proceed out of my mouth, but only what edifies, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29) "I am an imitator of God." (Ephesians 5:1) In other words, let us speak God's Word over the circumstances of life that we may encounter. As we do this, we no longer agree with the voices of man or Satan and therefore our faith will rise (Romans 10:17) and we will walk in the abundant life that Jesus has promised. (John 10:10) 

Finally, the Apostle Peter tells us, "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:23) God's Word is pure and incorruptible, so let us plant seeds (God's Word - Mark 4:14) in our heart, "which is able to save our soul." (James 1:21) When believers continuously confess God's Word, we will come to know that there is enough power in it to manifest every promise that He has made. His promises will manifest themselves in every aspect of our life, as we constantly speak it. As with planting seed, faith may take some time to grow, but is will certainly be worth the effort. The Apostle Paul encourages us, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9)  So, declare aloud, "I hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, the voice of the stranger I will not follow." Amen...

What Does It Mean To Me

The world becomes so real to us because we are in a body with five senses, sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. It is the five senses that makes the physical realm real to us. Everything a person learns from birth is through the five senses. However, if one of these senses becomes impaired then learning is also impaired. There is another realm, the spiritual realm, that most have heard of and many believe to be, but have not come to a place where the spiritual realm is above and more real than the physical realm. The main reason for this to be so, is that living in the physical realm does not require faith, whereas, the spiritual realm can only be perceived and made real through faith. But there is also another side to understanding that the spiritual realm is more real than the physical realm.

Jesus met a Pharisee named Nicodemus who said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2) The following statement that Jesus makes must have shocked and astonished this respected religious and educated man. Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) Next, Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4) Although Nicodemus was a religious leader and educated as such, we see that he could not understand spiritual things because he was trying to understand Jesus' statement through his senses, or by-way-of the physical realm. Jesus tells Nicodemus a truth that reveals the reality of a realm beyond what Nicodemus could comprehend, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again." (John 3:5-7)
     
Jesus clearly shows us that no one can perceive the reality of the totality of the spiritual realm unless one is born from above. I say totality because people who delve into occult practices can perceive things in the spiritual realm, but it is limited to only the demonic side. To be born again by the Holy Spirit opens ones eyes (spiritual eyes) to the entire spiritual realm, both light and darkness. The Apostle Paul tells us, "But the natural man (sense oriented) 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) For this reason, many blame God for all the problems that occur throughout the world. For many believers, God's Word does not seem real to them. Yes, they say, God's Word is truth and infallible, but their senses have blocked them from the reality of the spiritual realm providing them only with a mental assent towards God's Word.

For instance, you may have a pain in your body and you say, "By His stripes I am healed" and yet in your mind you hear another voice saying, "but the pain is still there." You find yourself continually making two confessions. One with words from your mouth confessing God's Word and the other with the intellect. With that said, I would like to share the following story that gives us a better perspective of this. Two men were waiting at a bus stop one day and as they talked they discovered that they were both believers, which led into the following conversation...

I have prayed and prayed, and have received no benefit. I have had others pray for me and the disease grows worse. Can you do anything for me? Yes, I believe I can. Did you ever realize that healing belongs to you, that you need not pray for it? I never heard anything like that. It is true. Let me prove it to you. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:4, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." Tell me, what does Isaiah say God did with our diseases? I don't know that I fully understand. "Surely He (that is Christ) has borne our sicknesses, and carried our pains; yet we esteem him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted." Do you understand now?
Yes, I do. Isaiah goes on to say, "Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief" (made Him sick). Do you understand that it pleased the Father to bruise Him? That He made Him (Jesus) sick with our diseases. Yes, but what does that mean to me? It means that these pains and afflictions you are suffering were laid on Jesus. Jesus actually bore them just as He bore your sins. Isaiah also tells us, "He was wounded for your transgressions, he was bruised for your iniquities; the chastisement of your peace was upon him; and with his stripes you are healed." God actually laid your iniquities upon Jesus. Because He did this, you do not have to bear them. In the same way, God laid our sickness and pains on Jesus so that we do not have to bear them either. I never saw it like that before. You mean God actually laid my sickness upon Jesus, and made Him sick with my diseases? Yes, that is what the Word of God  declares. The Father made Jesus sick with our diseases that we might be perfectly well in Christ. Healing is a gift, and it is yours now. Therefore, Satan has no right to put on you what God put on Jesus. 

Like many other believers, as it was with the one man in the above story, the fact that healing belongs to every believer is almost to wonderful to believe, simply, because, as the one man said to the other, "I never heard anything like that." Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)  If He has set us free from sin, then sin has no dominion over us. If He has set us free from disease, it also has no dominion over us. If He has set us free from Satan, Satan has no dominion over us either. According to God's Word, we are free. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1) Refuse to allow Satan to have anything to do with this body in which we live. "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)  

Our body belongs to God. We are simply the overseers living in it. You are to see that Satan does not trespass on God's property. You may ask, "How am I to keep him from it?" Jesus said, "In my name you will cast out demons." (Mark 16:17) Jesus has given all believers the right to use His Name. If believers can cast out demons in His Name, then we also can cast out the sickness that a demon has brought. Jesus said, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19) Though He was speaking to the seventy (seventy two in some versions) it still applies to all believers, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18) 

Notice that Jesus tells us, "...these signs will follow those who believe..." The only condition that is required and spoken by Jesus to do these things, is to anyone who believes! The Name of Jesus can stop disease from reigning over us. There is no disease that has ever come to man which His Name cannot destroy. Oh how the church has lost its faith in the integrity of God's Word for such things as healing, deliverance, provision, etc. How unfortunate regeneration has been limited to simply the born again experience. How most believers put their faith in what man can do, than what the Most High God has accomplished through the Lord Jesus Christ. It seems like far to many believers have forgotten, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) But for those who read this, let us rejoice and thank the Lord as He raises up a generation that will live by faith and be ushers of possibly the greatest move of God ever to come upon the earth.

Spiritual things are as real as material things, but for many they go unrealized. The Apostle Paul tells us, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." (the senses) (2 Corinthians 5:7) We are not only to walk by faith, but we are to talk by faith. When we learn to walk and talk by faith, the dominion of darkness is broken. But as long as we walk by reason and follow the suggestions of the senses we are going to live and walk in the realm where the works of the kingdom of darkness will hold sway over our lives. But if we will learn through the Word of God and the moving of the Holy Spirit to walk and talk faith, we will be victorious. The Apostle John gives us the key, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (1 John 5:4) This verse should be known and confessed by every believer. It should be a part of our conscious knowledge that can used day by day. Why? "...we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37) PTL!!!

Releasing God's Word

A quote is defined as; to repeat or copy a group of words from a text or speech, typically with an indication that one is not the original author or speaker. One of the most important and powerful ways that believers can live an abundant life in Christ while on earth, is by quoting the Word of God. Quoting or actually confessing God's Word, releases the power of God and increases ones faith. ( Hebrews 1:3; Romans 10:17) When a believer confess God's Word, they are quoting the very Words of Christ. Although faith grows with the confession of God's Word, ones faith is no greater than their confession. The Apostle Paul tells us, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Let's keep in mind that the word "saved" here means, to keep safe and sound; to rescue from danger or destruction; to keep from injury or peril; to save a suffering one from perishing; to save from disease; to make well; to heal; to restore to health; to preserve one who is in danger of destruction; to save or rescue; to make whole. What wonderful promises from God. So, every time you break the silence of fear and or unbelief with an open confession of the integrity of God's Word, and then act upon His Word, you destroy the very roots of fear and unbelief in your life. Fear and unbelief grow with your confession, in the same manner that faith will also grow with your confession. If you confess that you are sick, unbelief will grow in you. However, if you confess that "by His (Jesus') stripes I am healed" and hold fast to your confession of God's Word, then your faith for healing grows.

The gospel of Luke puts it this way, "For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37) A more literal translation of this verse is, "No Word from God is void of power." (Also see Isaiah 55:11) God's Word has not lost its ability to accomplish what it says. It has been said, "the Words ability is measured by its Author's ability." Keep in mind, in Genesis 1:3, 6-7, 9, 11, 14-15, 20, 24, 26, 29-30, says, "Then God said…and it was so." So, faith, in the sense that I am using God's Word here, is letting His Word function through you, that is, letting God's Word do what is says it will do and then act upon it as though it is already a finished work, which it truly is.

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23) Notice, that Jesus did not say, "all things are possible to him who has great faith." He simply said, "to him who believes." In other words, the only condition for a believer to see the impossible become possible is to accept God's Word as true no matter what the circumstances may dictate. We need to truly understand that God and His Word are one and His power is in His Word. (Hebrews 1:3)

Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches..." (John 15:5) Think about this. Every believer is a branch, one with the vine. The fruit grows on the branches not on the vine. It is the vine that gives the branches life, or as the Apostle Peter says, "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness." (2 Peter 1:3) All believers are sharers with Jesus and the bearers of His fruit. That fruit is measured by our confession, that is, our confession will determine our faith life. So, hold fast to your confession (Hebrews 10:23) in the face of all opposition, knowing that you cannot be conquered. (Romans 8:37)

Let us always keep in mind, that our lips give expression to our faith or doubt. If we say, "I believe therefore I have," we agree with God's Word, "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:23-24) I do not need to see, hear or feel, because the Word is my evidence. Again, faith grows through our study, meditation, confession and acting on the Word of God. It is a process of time, but it is well worth the effort.

So, when things arise in our lives that are contrary to God's promises, His Word, our confession of His Word and acting on it will solve the problem. To act on God's Word is not necessarily based upon physical actions, although actions show our faith. (James 2:18) Sometimes, it is simply thanking Him for what He has already accomplished through Christ and then standing on His Word, though His Word may not have manifested instantly and even when the circumstances are contrary to His Word. Therefore, let us keep in mind, a wrong confession hinders the Spirit's work in and through us. A neutral confession is unbelief and is just as ineffective as a negative confession. However, a positive, clear cut confession of God's Word over any and every circumstance that we may face is the confession that puts us over. In short, our confession is a direct reflection of our faith. So, a neutral confession results in neutral faith, an a negative confession results in unbelief. Two examples of the latter are, a confession of failure puts failure on the throne in our life; a confession of weakness, puts weakness on the throne of our life.

The Apostle Paul said, "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (2 Timothy 1:12) Are we truly persuaded that God is able to fulfill His Word in our lives? Paul also tells of Abraham, "Abraham, and being fully convinced that what God had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:21) Notice, that Abraham was "fully convinced" that what God had promised He was also able to perform." To be fully convinced, is to believe without wavering, that God will carry through to the end, that is, accomplish exactly what He said, His Word. I want to encourage us all, do not give up when confessing God's Word especially when it does not manifest quick, now and in a hurry. It is unfortunate that many believers do, but the Word of God says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9) Although this is focused on believers doing good works, it is still applicable to believing, confessing and acting on God's Word. So, don't lose heart, because God is faithful to make good His Word. (Numbers 23:19)

Any Thoughts

The  mind can either be a wonderful or detrimental thing to use. For many years motivational speakers have continuously promoted what has been deemed "The Power of Positive Thinking." The power of positive thinking is a mental attitude in which one expects good and favorable results, or as a more modern definition defines it, a mental attitude of approaching life's challenges with a positive outlook. In every sense, it is simply mind over matter, that is, the use of willpower to overcome problems, whether physical or mental. There is certainly nothing wrong for one to have a positive approach to life challenges, but it still comes down to philosophy or psychological science. 

However, we need to understand that the unregenerate mind can be a powerful tool, but its power does not come from above, but is from beneath. The Apostle James tells us, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." (James 3:13-16) Notice that James is talking about people who are self-seeking. In a sense then, the power of positive thinking evolves around "I." James continues, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17) 

Although James is talking about wisdom, keep in mind that wisdom teaches how to use knowledge effectively. Again, there is certainly nothing wrong with positive thinking. The question we must ask ourselves is, what or who is behind it our positive thinking? For believers, it is through the Word of God that the mind is renewed in which faith is increased, (Romans 10:17) and thoughts are transformed. Unfortunately, though, most believers thoughts and confessions are mostly negative, due to a lack of meditating and studying God's Word. (Joshua 1:8) 

The teaching behind the power of positive thinking is not only taught in the world, but it has also infiltrated the church. Many church leaders today have gathered a large following because they have reduced the Word of God to nothing more than a philosophy for life. Although cloaked with verses of scripture, in reality, it takes the focus off of Almighty God and puts it on self. The Psalmist David wrote, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)  

Teaching a philosophy for life from pulpits rather than God's Word is a very dangerous concept because it eliminates faith in Jesus Christ, and turns ones faith, to faith in what can be accomplished through their own ability and or strength. In actuality, this is nothing more powerful to renew a mind than when it is filled with God's Word. We should never forget the devils tactic that led the woman away from the truth to believe his lie, "...And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said...Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God..." (Genesis 3:1, 4-5) I believe the deception behind this teaching is what the Apostle Paul tells us concerning what will happen to many believers as we draw closer to the end, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves...lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:5) 

The Apostle Paul tells us, "giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us (has given us the ability) to be partakers (to enjoy our share) of the inheritance of the saints in the light." (Colossians 1:12) When one is born again, they immediately received God's nature, (2 Peter 1:4), that is, His substance, His life, and along with new birth we can also be filled (baptized) in the Holy Spirit to live within us. (Luke 24:49; John 14:15-17; Acts 2:38). When Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come and lead us into all truth, (John 16:13), He meant exactly what He said. God's ability is freely offered to every one who confesses Jesus as Lord and takes Him as Savior. Another deception behind the teaching of the power of positive thinking as it applies to believers, is that it alienated believers from the life of God. (Ephesians 4:17) However, the moment that ones spirit is recreated, the mind may be renewed and brought into perfect harmony with the recreated spirit by the study of God's Word. It may take a little time, but it is worth the effort. When the mind is renewed with the Word of God and brought into fellowship with the recreated spirit, then the reality of all the blessings and promises of God become ours, not by positive thinking, but faith in Jesus Christ.

For everyone who is born again, you have God's nature, God's ability. You are God's child. God
is the strength of your life. He is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30) We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10) We are the victorious and triumphant ones. (1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14) These wonderful things are ours. We are not slaves, but free. This New Testament is the "Good News" of our emancipation and of God's participation in our lives here on earth. 

Finally, the Apostle Paul reveals some more wonderful truths, "But the natural man (anyone under the influences of the mind, the senses, and not the Holy Spirit) 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...For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:14, 16) Why would one desire to be limited by the power of positive thinking when the born again believer can be led by the Holy Spirit and be unlimited in the way Jesus was in His earth walk? The reality of Paul's prayer to the church at Colossae belongs to every believer, "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge (complete, concise, precise knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." (Colossians 1:9) PTL...        

Do You Understand

Isn't it interesting, how a misunderstanding can cause so many problems. To misunderstand is nothing more than a failure to understand something correctly. Instead of drawing a wrong conclusion or applying wrong actions, a misunderstanding can be avoided simply by finding out the facts. For believers, the Bible is the place where we can look to and find indisputable facts, because the Word of God is indisputable. However, in saying that, the church has been in many disputes when it comes to interpreting God's Word. There are two ways that we can understand and interpret God's Word. One is through our own intellect. However, the Apostle Paul tells us, "...We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up..." (1 Corinthians 8:1) The knowledge that Paul is referring to is intellectual understanding. The intellect is the vehicle where most of our knowledge is acquired, but it is limited, because it cannot operate without the five senses. This is also known as sense knowledge or mental assent. Notice that Paul says that this kind of knowledge "puffs up" that is, makes one proud and or arrogant. It is this type of knowledge that has brought numerous erroneous doctrines into the church, which for many, has reduced Christianity to a faithless, powerless religion.

The other type of knowledge is revelation knowledge which Paul reveals in his epistles numerous times and in numerous ways. This is the type of knowledge that believers should strive for, because it is spiritual. Revelation knowledge does not rely on the five senses, therefore, it far exceeds intellectual knowledge. Paul tells us, "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 (precise and correct knowledge) of Him." (Ephesians 1:16-18) "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge (precise and correct knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." (Colossians 1:9) However, to come into revelation knowledge, first and foremost, believers must allow the Holy Spirit do His work, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13) Secondly, believers must exercise faith, "By faith we understand..." (Hebrews 11:3) 

We can say that faith is like a tender plant. It cannot stand the harsh winds or the torrential down pour of sense (intellectual) knowledge or it is neutralized. Faith must feed continually on the Word of God and then grows by acting on that Word. Simply reading the Word, meditating on the Word, will not build faith. It will, however, build a capacity for faith. Faith will only grow when God's Word becomes a part of our daily conduct, our daily speech and our daily actions. The word faith appears in the King James Version of the Bible two hundred forty three time. Two time in the Old Testament and two hundred forty one times in the New Testament. As we can see, faith is an important element that should be a major part of the believers daily life. In fact, "without faith, it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6) and yet faith is one of those subjects that has been so misunderstood, that most ministers today do not want to teach or preach about it. 

However, as faith grows, Satan's dominion over the believer wanes. Circumstances that life brings are less formidable. As ones faith grows, fear is destroyed and you begin to possess your rights in Christ. You eventually possess the things that you have merely hoped for in the past. For instance, at one time you hoped for money to pay a bill, now by faith you have it. The reason why many believers do not possess the things that are freely theirs in Christ, is, although they may say that they agree with God's Word, they simply have not acted upon it. They have merely taken an intellectual approach to it, that is, they have mentally assented to it. When believers not only agree with God's Word but also act upon it, they reach the place where they no longer hope for things, but look up and say, "Father, I thank you that I am what you say I am, your child. (1 John 3:1) I thank you that your Word is true (John 17:17). I thank you that you do not lie (Numbers 23:19). I thank you for the things that I have asked for in Jesus Name." (Mark 11:23-24) What you once mentally assented to, you now possess, because believing is possessing. 

Next, we see that faith grows in the atmosphere of confession of the Word. We are not speaking of confession of sin. It is our confession of what God's Word declares as to what we are in Christ, what Christ is in us, and how the Father truly sees us. Continuous confession of God's Word becomes a living thing in our hearts and minds. Just as the Word from Jesus' lips could rule the sea, the winds, sickness, disease and even death, so God's Word spoken from our lips will have the same effect. Every time we break the silence caused by fear with an open confession of the integrity of the Word, and act on the Word, we destroy the very roots of fear and unbelief in our lives. Fear and unbelief grow with confession, in the same manner as faith grows with confession. For instance, if you  confess that you are sick, unbelief grows in you. If you confess that "by His stripes you are healed" faith grows. 

So, let us not misunderstand. God's Word works when spoken through faith filled lips. His Word declares, "You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways." (Job 22:28) "My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips."
Psalms 107:20 "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." (Psalms 119:89) "You have magnified Your word above all Your name." (Psalm 138:2) "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8) "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." (Mark 11:31) "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) "For the word of God is living and powerful." (Hebrews 4:12) Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Holding on to Him

In the second letter that the Apostle Paul sent to Timothy, his son in the faith, he tells him, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come." (2 Timothy 3:1) Paul then proceeds to reveal to Timothy of the great apostasy which was to be expected in the church. He continues on and states several of the characteristics of what was coming. One of the definitions of the word perilous is, "exposed to imminent risk of disaster or ruin." Now we know that the church will never be ruined, because it is Christ's Body, His Bride and He most definitely loves an protects His Bride. However, this does not mean that Satan is not working against it, simply that a number of believers will fall prey to his schemes which are the works of the flesh. (Compare 2 Timothy 3:1-4 with Galatians 5:19-21 and see the similarities)  

Although all of the characteristics listed in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 are certainly destructive, two of the main ones that I believe have captured many believers for some time are "unloving and unforgiving." If we were to look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (the characteristics of the God kind of love), we would notice that if believers lived in this kind of love daily, which we should (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22), apostasy would never get place in the church. If every believer operated in the God kind of love, then the other characteristic, unforgiveness, would never have become the stronghold that it has become among some many of God's children. Unforgiveness is “a grudge that one person holds against someone who has offended them and is unwilling to exercise compassion or love from the heart towards the person who brought the offense, to totally forgive them."

Jesus spoke many times concerning unforgiveness (offenses). He told us, "It is impossible that no offenses should come." (Luke 17:1) Jesus goes on to tell us no matter how many times a person offends (sins against) us, we are to forgive them. Look what the apostles ask Jesus after hearing this, "Lord, Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5) This is the only place in the New testament where Jesus' apostles ask Him to increase their faith. Even when Jesus sent them out to go to the towns in Israel to preach, heal, cast out demons and raise the dead, they did not ask to have their faith increased. By this we can see that it take more faith to forgive and let go of offenses than it does to walk in the supernatural ministry of Christ. 

One day Jesus was hungry and passing by a fig tree he found nothing on it but leaves. In response Jesus said to the fig tree, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." (Mark 11:12-14) The next morning Jesus and the apostles passed by the fig tree and Peter comments on how the fig tree had dried up from the roots. Jesus then speaks to them concerning the power of faith, "So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:22-24) This passage of scripture is most likely the most used scripture when talking about faith and rightfully so. This passage of scripture points out three very important things, faith, doubt, and the words that we speak, (say).

However, Jesus does not stop here. He continues saying, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:25-26) Why did Jesus say this? Not only was He teaching us the power of faith, but how holding a grudge (an offense) or unforgiveness in ones heart will keep faith (literally the God kind of faith that Jesus is talking about in Mark 11:22) from working. This is serious business. We need to forgive so that our Heavenly Father can forgive us. 

Unfortunately, there are some believers who cannot accept this truth. They will contend that it is harsh and that God is a God of grace and love and would not hold this against His people. He is certainly full of grace and love, but He is also a God of justice. (Job 37:23; Romans 3:26) Jesus was saying these things to those who were His followers. If you are a follower of Jesus then He is speaking these things to you (us) also. This is not an isolated teaching of Jesus concerning unforgiveness. In Matthews Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, He continues, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15) To forgive others and let go of offenses is not an option or some concept that we can take or leave, it is a command from the Lord. 

Jesus again talks about unforgiveness at length in Matthew 18:15-20. He speaks of forgiving a fellow believer who has sinned against us (offended us) and then continues with a parable in Matthew 18:21-35. There are some important keys revealed to us in verses 33 through 35, "Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (Verse 33) The king in the story forgave the man of an insurmountable debt, yet the man turned around and showed absolutely no compassion on his fellow servant who had only a small penny ante debt in comparison. "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him." (Verse 34) Unforgiveness breeds torment in the very soul of a person. Finally, Jesus says "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." (Verse 35)       

God has forgiven each one of us of an insurmountable debt, a debt that no human ever born could ever pay. Think about it. Jesus was arrested, scourged, beaten, spit upon, beard ripped out, mocked, had a crown of thrones forced on His head; made to walk approximately three miles through the streets of Jerusalem with a one hundred and twenty five pound wood beam on His beaten bloody body and finally stripped naked and nailed to the cross and yet He was completely innocent. Then after hanging on the cross for six hours every sin of man and all the sicknesses of man was placed upon Him. (Isaiah 53:4-6, 10; 1 Peter 2:24) Because Jesus became sin with our sin, His Father would have to forsake Him. (Matthew 27:46) Yet, from the cross, His body filled with unimaginable, horrific physical pain that was coursing throughout His entire body, He said, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)        

Jesus wants us to know that no matter what others have done to us, no matter how deep an offense may have hurt us, we must forgive them as God has forgiven us. We must let go of every and any offense at all cost. If we are going to walk in faith then we must walk in God's love towards everyone, even those who may have or will offend us. We must not let our weak flesh have place, but let our spirit have the dominion and completely forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us. (Ephesians 4:32) Forgiveness is not just words from our mouth, but we are to forgive as God does, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. (Offenses)" (Isaiah 43:25) If need be, let us do as the apostles did when Jesus spoke to them concerning offenses. They asked Him, "Lord, increase our faith." 

The unsaved are depending on the church to be an example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, let us do exactly that. Let us love all others, brothers and sister in the Lord as well as the unsaved so that the Name of Jesus is magnified. Let go, at all cost, any and all of the unforgiveness that you may have in your heart. You can do this! Simply meditate on what Jesus did for us. Look at His struggles from the Garden of Gethsemane to His agony and horrific physical suffering. See Him hanging naked on the cross, His body so beaten and bloodied that He did not look human (Isaiah 52:14). Hear His most wonderful cry from the cross for us all, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" and be free from a broken, tormented heart! "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)

May the peace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ overtake us and fill us to overflowing, that we can walk free of offenses and help others to do the same.            

Let It Grow, Let It Grow, Let It Grow

 A very important key to the advancement of our faith is to take action.  The Apostle James tells us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:22-25) In other words, believers are to obey and act upon the Word of God, not to merely listen to it. It is implied here, that by merely hearing the Word of God but not acting upon it or not doing it, the believer is deceived. That is, their soul (mind, will and emotions) will reason, excuse them, from being obedient to God's Word. They reason, "it is enough to merely give attention to the Word" because that is all that is demanded of them. For those who hear and act upon God's Word, they shall be blessed because God's Word has the power to exert life over the believers entire being, spirit, soul and body.

If our faith is not kept active, that is, continuously releasing the promises and power of God, believers will not advance in the faith, and therefore Christianity does not differ from any other religion. Again, it is possible to become stuck in a certain 1evel of faith, and there are clear signs that show when faith has become stagnate and inactive. For example, when evidence of spiritual life is lacking in a congregation, when miracles, signs, wonders and gifts of the Holy Spirit are either not experienced or have altogether ceased, when God's presence is not to be found especially during worship, when believers do not share their faith or when God's Word and prayer are more or less a non-essential, people's faith will stop growing. James goes on a little further when he says, "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?...Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:14, 17-18)

These are very serious words and unfortunately, many believers equate good works, such as, feeding the poor, clothing the naked, etc., though good things, as being a doer of the Word. They believe that good works in an of themselves is acting on the Word of God through faith. The Apostle Paul tells us, "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. " (Galatians 2:16) The works of the law represents works of the flesh, that is, the ability of the person doing things that seem right in their own eyes or the eyes of men. This has absolutely nothing to do with faith in Jesus Christ, His ability working in us to do His will. (Philippians 2:13) Again, that which is works, without faith is dead.   

Truth is present, and faith is now. Faith has an expiration date. If yesterday's faith were sufficient, the Bible would not command that believers are to go "from faith to faith." Yesterday's revelation may not be relevant when we try to activate it today. Think of it from this perspective. God provided fresh bread (manna) in the wilderness for Israel each day. However, if they would try to store today's manna to be used the next day, it would stink and be filled with worms, that is, unfit for nourishment. (Exodus 16) Revelation from the Holy Spirit is much the same. When Jesus was tempted by the devil to turn a stone into bread, His response was, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) This is how believers walk by faith, by living on every Word of God. Always remember, what used to work yesterday, may no longer work today.

If you feel that your faith is inactive, this is the time to exercise it so that you may enter into a new level of faith in God because faith is now. If your faith is active and you are serving God, you can advance to the next level of faith. As you advance into a new level of faith, you will find that true Christianity is always fresh and exciting. You will begin to experience miracles, signs and wonders in your own life as well as stretching forth your faith to others and see the same manifest in their lives. No matter what stage of spiritual maturity you have progressed to, if you desire to grow spiritually, I would like to encourage you to pray this prayer with me..."Father, please give me new revelation that will take me to another level of faith. Connect me with men and women who can help me release my faith, so I can bless others by praying for the sick, and minister to those who need a touch of Your supernatural power. I thank you and ask this in Jesus name." Amen.

Finally, some things that will help us keep perspective as to the things of true Bible faith, the faith that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6) and that makes the impossible possible (Mark 9:23) let us keep in mind that faith is not presumption, hope, or optimism. It is our response to the Word of God, which is revealed to believers by the Holy Spirit so that we might operate in, and exercise dominion over, the dimension of time, space, and matter. When the Bible refers to the flesh, it is the combination of both the body and soul (Genesis 6:3; Romans 7). The Apostle Paul tells us that the flesh and spirit are contrary to one another (Galatians 5:16-18). Therefore, remember, there is a conflict between human reason and faith because each belongs to a different realm; reason is temporal, while faith is eternal. Faith is the past and the future united in the present. The following are some principles for walking in and by faith...

Faith is in the now; Faith belongs to God and comes from God; Faith perceives the things of the unseen, spiritual realm; All believers have been given a measure of faith; Faith feeds on and grows through trials, tribulations and or impossible circumstances; Faith releases the power of God; miracles, signs and wonders; Faith does not operate by reason but through continuous revelation of and from God; Continuous revelation of and from God will take us to higher dimensions of faith; Believers are to be doers of the Word through faith in Jesus Christ; If our faith is not kept active and advancing "from faith to faith," nothing will happen; If faith does not advance, Christianity is nothing more than any other religion; As faith advances, Christianity is always fresh and exciting...

I pray that your faith has advanced and will continue to do so. I truly believe it is God's desire to motivate us to receive new revelation each day to move "from faith to faith" for His glory, that the name of Jesus be magnified and the Word of God prevail mightily throughout the entire earth. Amen...

Words

Words play a very important part in the believers life. Unfortunately, most believers who deal with constant defeat are defeated because they believe and confess the wrong things. The Bible tells us, "You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth." (Proverbs 6:2) To be snared from a biblical perspective indicates, to be robbed; plundered; hid in prison-houses; to become prey; to be spoil; to be held in bondage. As we can see, words can defeat believers. This is not a theory, but fact, because it is a spiritual law. If we look at the account of creation we see that God Himself uses words. In a sense, we can say that God is a faith God and that He releases His faith through words, "God said...and it was so".

The Apostle Paul tells us, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." (Ephesians 5:1) Believers are to literally be imitators of God as children imitate their parents. To imitate God, we must talk like Him as well as act like Him. He would not asks us to do something that we are not capable of doing. We see this very law in operation in the life of Jesus during His ministry on earth as the Son of Man. He spoke to the wind and sea and it obeyed Him (Mark 4:35-41); He walked on water (Matthew 14:22-33); He spoke to a fig tree (Mark 11:12-25); He even spoke to the dead to live (John 11); He also cast out evil spirits and healed the sick with a word (Matthew 8:8, 16). Jesus was imitating His Father (John 8:29)  As we see, faith filled words, speaking God's Word, will accomplish great result. But we must also keep in mind that devil laden words will also accomplish something. They will defeat you; hold you in bondage. 

Think about it. Do you really want all the negative things you have been confessing to come to pass? Are you really believing for those things? If Jesus came to you personally and said, "from this day forward it will come to pass, that everything you say will happen exactly as you say it." Do you suppose that would change the words you speak? Our spoken words program our heart (recreated spirit) for either success or defeat. The apostle James tells us, "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless." (James 1:26) Our greatest example of this is found in Genesis 3:1-5. Satan tempted Eve with a question. If she would have allowed her soul (mind, will and emotions) to be completely under the dominion of her spirit she would have rejected the question. However, the fact is, by exercising free will, reasoning in her mind, her spirit began to lose dominion. She allowed her soul to have dominion and deceive her heart. She was snared by the words of her mouth; She was taken by the words of her mouth." The results were beyond what any words could describe.

The Bible tells us "who (Jesus) being the brightness of His (the Father's) glory and the express image of His (the Father's) person, and upholding all things by the word of His power..." (Hebrews 1:3) God's Word is His power and it is just as powerful today when released with faith from the believer lips as it was when God Himself first spoke it. Isaiah tells us, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) The only way that God's Word loses its power is when it is unspoken by believers. Look at this promise from the Lord to all believers, "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." (Mark 11:23) 

This is a very simple truth, but oh how profound and far reaching it seems to be. This spiritual law works both ways. For as long as believers say what they have, good or bad, they will have what they say. Our words will produce no more than what is said. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:7-8) This applies to more than just spoken words, but we can get the point from this verse. We can see that either way, good words or destructive, negative words will set a spiritual law in motion that will give us victory or defeat. The spiritual law is based on the same basic principle of seed-time harvest. (Genesis 8:22) The words you speak are seeds (Mark 4:1-29) that produce after their kind. (Genesis 1:11) Just as sure as they are planted, you can be equally sure a harvest will follow.

Finally, when we study the life of Jesus we can find what caused Him to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. He spent much time in prayer; He never prayed the problem; He only prayed the solution, that is, what God said and He only spoke the desired end result. (John 12:49) He also only and always used the Word to defeat the works of the devil. (Matthew 4:1-11) So, as the Apostle Paul tells us, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29) Let us walk in victory by speaking faith filled victorious words, that is, speaking the truth (the Word) through love...

Revelation Knowledge

Though there is a place for human reasoning, it can become a stronghold in the lives of believers. This happens when believers accept, as facts, human explanations for why we are sick, impoverished, experiencing mental or emotional anguish or when it causes us to justify or make excuses for holding on to addictions, unforgiveness, bitterness, or other sins. This is why it is of the utmost importance that all believers continuously experience a rising of their faith to a greater dimension. Faith gives believers the ability to see beyond the natural realm.

The Apostle Paul tells us, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17) It is continuous revelation of God from the Holy Spirit that will take us to a higher dimension of faith, that is, faith to faith. When we go from one level of faith to another, our faith moves forward from the place to which we have already advanced into a greater level of faith. For instance, say you were suffering from constant headaches. One day your level of faith had advanced to where headache symptoms that try to come upon you are gone before they take hold because you have received in your spirit a revelation of healing and have acted upon it. But now the day has come by your continuously standing on and speaking God's Word to sickness, that your faith has advanced to a higher level and any symptoms of sickness that try to come upon you can no longer attach themselves to you. Because you have advanced in faith, from faith to faith, you give no thought to headaches; therefore the symptoms of a headache will never affect you again. 

Again, an essential key to advancement in faith is continuous revelation, or revealed knowledge of God by the Holy Spirit. Faith advances through revealed knowledge. One cannot exercise faith in something that they do not know. When a person lacks revealed knowledge, it is impossible for that person to move to the next leve1 of faith. But when revelation is present, faith can catapult the individual into a new place. The advancement of faith occurs when we receive revelation knowledge of God, believe it, and then act on the knowledge we have received. Therefore, to walk by faith, we must have a revelation of God, or put another way, we must have God's knowledge. Faith and knowledge from God always go together. 

If revealed knowledge ceases, faith also ceases. Without continuous revelation of God, human reasoning will eventually take hold and we will believe only what our five senses can understand, the natural realm. This leaves believers in a vulnerable place. The Prophet Hosea says it this way, "My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me..." (Hosea 4:6 NLT) Remember, we cannot have faith in something we do not know or do not believe. This means that we cannot allow our faith to become stagnant. This is why we must advance from faith to faith. The Christian life was never designed to stay at one level of faith. In fact, the Apostle Paul had to confront the church at Corinth with their lack of spiritual advancement, (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) and the writer of Hebrews dealt with the same. (Hebrews 5:12-14) 

Finally, we see that "the just shall live by faith," that is, the just person, or the righteous person, shall live by his confidence in God. A believers faith is to advance to where their confidence in God should sustain them, and preserve them from the satanically corrupted world system, or as the Apostle Peter said, "from this perverse generation." (Acts 2:40) It is not by reliance on our own works, abilities or merit, it is by confidence in God, that is by faith, that we are to live. God wants us to advance to a greater level of faith, but for that to happen, we need revelation to pave the way. If we want to walk from faith to faith, we cannot ignore God's revelation for each day. We cannot walk in greater faith today with yesterday's revelation because faith is now, always in the present. "Now faith is..." (Hebrews 11:1)

What is the Reason?

The word "Reason" is defined in two basic ways. The first deals with a cause, an explanation or the grounds for making a decision, for example, "The reason why I am late is due to road construction on the route that I had taken." The other way the word "Reason" is defined is the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic. This is what is referred to as human reasoning. As we can see in the latter definition, there is a close connection between reason and emotion, whereas the former definition has nothing to do with an emotional response.

When it comes to believers exercising faith, they must fully understand that human reason never stands on the side of faith. When believers resort to reason, it separates us from or neutralizes faith. This is the very tactic that the devil used when speaking to Eve. His questions caused Eve to use her human reasoning which, in a sense, caused her to question God's Word or God Himself as to whether He was being truthful or forthright. "Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1) “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)

If we were to consider much of what God did, as recorded in the Bible, with the natural mind, it would no doubt seem to be unbelievable, far fetched or as the Bible records, foolishness. (1 Corinthians 2:14) This is why we must learn to see and hear with spiritual eyes and ears. Let's consider the miracle of creation (Genesis 1) Everything seen and unseen came to be in this way, "God said, and it was so." We cannot understand God's brilliant, masterful work of creation without faith. (Hebrews 11:3) This is why man has devised many "theories" that cannot be proven concerning creation. What about what God instructed Noah to do? God instructed Noah to build a massive ship (ark) that would save him, his family as well as a specific number of "birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind." (Genesis 6:20) A miracle took place when the birds, animals and creeping things began to arrive from everywhere to enter the ark and coexisted peacefully within the ark for months without attacking each other. Such a miracle can only be understood by faith.

How about, Israel, led by Joshua? They conquered the impenetrable City of Jericho by doing nothing more than "seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns that went before the ark of the Lord continually blowing the trumpets, with the armed men going before them with the rear guard coming after the ark of the Lord...and shouting a great shout." (Joshua 6:13, 20) Even a greater miracle happened in the incarnation of Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25) How can anyone fathom the one and only true invisible God, God the Word, (John 1:14) becoming a man by being birth through a virgin? (Luke 1:26-38) It is impossible without faith. This is why the Bible tells us, "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) By human reasoning, none of these things make sense.  

Faith cannot be judged or proven in a court of law where reason rules because there are no books or codes that can judge faith. Jurisprudence is based on human reasoning and deals with only facts
and physical evidence that can be proven on the basis of our natural senses. Faith will never find place in a court of law. This is a good reason why one believer should not take another believer to court. (1 Corinthians 6:1) In a similar way, if a physician diagnoses a sickness, even though God's Word reveals that healing is a part of redemption in Christ, the human mind will most often believe the physicians verdict of sickness. It is not to deny that the sickness does not exist when it does, it is simply that reasoning only understands the natural realm, that is, what the five senses can comprehend. The more time we spend trying to reason what God wants to do in and through us, the more we will lose the manifestation of His supernatural, miracle power and blessings that He has given us. 

For believers to get past the natural realm, we must cast aside our human reasoning, accept and act upon God's Word without question. Only then will we be able to realize that everything He does makes sense. If you are a preacher or teacher of the Word, you are called to build the faith of those who hear you, so that unbelief does not take root in their hearts and minds. Preachers are to speak God's Word with faith so that the hearers faith is activated for the supernatural. To live by faith, therefore, we must disconnect our natural reasoning ability and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our minds and open our spiritual eyes to see what God can do. If we act only out of human reason, we will doubt God's Word every time, because faith believes God even when everything else shouts the complete opposite. 

We also need to keep in mind, what physical exercise is to our body, faith is to our recreated spirit. We must constantly exercise our faith or it will not grow. So, let us look at every circumstance that life may bring us as an opportunity to grow our faith and see the supernatural power of God go to work in and through us for His glory...