“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
This is a very well-known verse of scripture, isn’t it? But have you ever considered the fact that if faith is built and strengthened through the hearing and meditating of God’s word that doubt and unbelief comes to you in the same way? It does. And that’s why the scriptures continually implore us to guard our hearts. Take diligent effort to control what you listen to, what you watch and what you do in your leisure time. Everything that enters your soul [mind-will-emotions] through your five carnal senses [see-taste-hear-smell-feel] will play a part in what you believe and why you believe it.
Romans 8:7 tells us that if you fill your mind [soul] with worldly influences it is only natural that it will respond to that stimulus and draw you into unbelief. It goes on to say that a soul that is world-led rather than Spirit-led is “enmity against God”, literally meaning it is in hostile opposition toward Godly, spiritual thinking. To put it simply; natural, intellectual thinking has always been opposed to the Spiritual and always will be. Why is that? It doesn’t “get it” and never will.Look at 1 Corinthians 2:14: “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.”
The 6th verse of Romans 8 tells us that to be worldly minded is death [literally separated from God and His promises], but to be spiritually minded will bring you into life and peace. And as simple as this is it amazes me how many people don’t “get it”. They have become spiritually dull due to years and years of carnal thinking and running with the world and it’s ways. I’m not talking about just those who are unbelievers but a large portion of the born again church as well. All you need do is listen to the words of their mouth to know where their biggest influence comes from.
Romans 8:5 says, “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, [set their minds] on the things of the Spirit.” Did you realize this verse applies to Christians? Well, it does. Even born again Christians, if they follow the ungodly philosophy and ungodly ways of the world, are separating themselves from the ability to hear from heaven. It steals from them the ability to believe [faith] and molds them into the world’s way of living and thinking.
I have fallen prey to this insideous trap myself from time to time. We are all potential victims if we don’t guard our hearts and minds. No one is immune. We pray and don’t hear from heaven. We give but our harvest stinks. We lose our strength to stand. Why? Our soul is in disbelief and aborts the promises of God from getting to us. Blessings are ours. God said they are. But if we are not experiencing them it’s not God’s fault.
Romans 12:2 clearly explains that if our minds [souls] are not renewed by the word of God we will not be able to “prove” [provide tangible evidence] the good, acceptable and perfect will of God in our everyday lives. I’m fed up with not walking in God’s best. Fed up enough to do something radical about it. Like believe God regardless of what others may think. Jesus sacrificed His life for us to reconcile us to our heavenly Father. And God has a plan for each and every one of us. What separates us from realizing His plan is our un-renewed minds. And renewing our souls to His word is clearly our responsibility, not His.
The Word will displace the world. But beware, the world will displace the word of God as well.
“My son, give attention to My words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:20-23
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