DISCERNING THE WORD OF GOD

How do you understand the word of God? Preachers, teachers, and folks who presume they have the wisdom to teach God’s word say, READ, so you will understand as if to say anyone that reads it will understand. Is it really that simple and effortless?

The Scriptures speak of the hidden wisdom of God not the wisdom of this world (1). When Jesus Christ came to the world to reveal it, even then, not one of the rulers of this world came to understand (2); not just Governors and Kings but especially Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees, and Priests; men who are presumably highly educated and experts in the Scriptures. The reason they did not come to understand is they relied on the intelligence and wisdom of the world. Therefore, anyone who relies on these things to discern God’s hidden wisdom shall be put to shame for God made foolish the wisdom of this world (3). So, how do you discern God’s word?

There is no other way except through the holy spirit. It is the spirit that will give you the wisdom of God and guide you into all truth (4), write God’s will in your heart and mind (5), and give you the power to obey the will of God (6). The question lies really in how do you truly receive the holy spirit?

Surely it is not without a great deal of sacrifice before God anoints you with the spirit, for you must first prove your desire to seek it unceasingly (7), show your resolve to sell your belongings to follow Christ (‘8’), demonstrate your willingness to give up your life for the lost ones as Christ did (9), and exhibit your determination to offer your body as a living sacrifice (10); all these in order to receive the holy spirit. Then, when you have accomplished the good works that God prepared in advance for you to walk in (11), the spirit is your seal of guarantee (12) to enter through the narrow gate of God’s kingdom (13).

As you may see, discerning God’s word is not simple and effortless after all.

Think about it.

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References:

1      1 Corinthians 2:6-7

2      1 Corinthians 2:8

3      1 Corinthians 1:19-20

4      John 16:13

5      Hebrews 8:10

6      Philippians 2:13

7      Luke 11:9-13

8      Matthew 19:21; Luke 14:33

9     John 15:13; 1 John 3:16

10    Romans 12:1

11    Ephesians 2:10

12   2 Corinthians 1:21-22

13   Matthew 7:13; Matthew 19:23-24

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