STUDY XVII. THE WORD OF GOD

 

The word they heard did not profit them, because it was not mixed by faith in those who heard. Heb 4:2

The word of God demands response of faith. If God speaks to you in His word, you must be apt to believe it; even when what you have been believing is the opposite of what you see in the word of God, you have to change your belief into what the word says and not try to change the word to try to mean what you believe; this is the surest way of self-destruction and the other is the surest way of salvation. 

You must learn to believe what God says if you want Him to protect you.

If you want me to protect you, you must learn to believe what I say.” Is 7:9b(TLB)

Moses sent 12spies to investigate the land but only two believed Gods word. Others believed what they saw. Numbers 13:1-33

God had already told Moses to go in and possess the land but it was the Israelites who suggested that spies be sent first. After they came back, only two of them believed what God had said earlier but the rest believed what their eyes saw. See Deut 1:22-36

There is a great difference in believing what God says and believing what our eyes see.

for we walk by faith, not by sight— 2Cor 5:7. To walk by faith is to walk believing what God has said in His word. It's unfortunate that today many think that walking by faith or living by faith is for full time ministers, but that's not what the bible talks about. To walk by faith is to walk believing that God will fulfil what He has promised in His word. Many are claiming things that God has not promised in His word and when it doesn't happen, they begin to think that God has failed them. Others their faith is based on testimonies of others not God's word. Never let your faith be based on the testimonies of men but on the written word of God.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

True faith has its roots on God's word, not on the testimonies of men or our own selfish desires.

Elijah for example in the mount Carmel contest, says, O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and that I have done all these things at Your word. 1King 18:36. It was not Elijahs bright idea but response to the word of God.

Heb 11 is the chapter of the heroes of faith and if we examine it carefully, we notice that these men were not having their own bright ideas about God but were responding to God's word in faith.

And 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 seek Him. Heb 11:6

The following verses explain this verse,

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Vs 7

Noah responded to Gods warning by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. Vs 8

Abraham responded to Gods word.

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Vs 11

Sarah responded to a promise of God.

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Vs 13.

It's clear that the type of faith that God speaks of is in response to His word, His warnings, and His promises.

Are you responding to Gods word or are you skeptical about it? 

You can read the word of God but unless you respond in faith, you will thoroughly displease God.

Infact, unbelief is one of the greatest sins in God's eyes.

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. Heb 3:12

And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?

So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Heb 3:18-19

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb 4:11-12

Are you responding to Gods word in faith or have you listened to the lies of the enemy saying, that that word is not for you or is not for today or have you disregarded God's warning saying they are not serious. 

Learn to believe the word of God. 

You are blessed to be a blessing 

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@Blessed Mshindi Mambo