I believe everyday Christians are aiming to please God. From their family life to their place of employment or business, personal relationships and individual development, all these areas are concerns that impact everyday living.
Yet, there appears to be a discontent in the lives of many believers, simply because they are not receiving results from what they believe God to supply.
It is unfortunate that there are so many Christians living beneath their privileges and whipped by the Devil.
But, I have good news for you; the Bible gives clear cut answers on why this takes place and how you can overcome this.
Hebrews 4:2 (KJV)
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Notice the writer of Hebrews points out that the word "did not profit them." Is there something wrong with the word of God? Obviously not. Every word of God is packed with potential and is intended to be used for our benefit.
The word mixed means to combine or assimilate. Assimilate means to learn something so that it is fully understood and can be used.
They heard the word but it did not profit or benefit them, because they did not learn the word to do it.
Any time you choose to learn something, it will only be learned if you understand the subject. Once you understand the subject, then will you be willing to do it.
I heard a statement from Ed Cole, he said, “What we do not understand, we will naturally be against.” What a powerful statement. In Proverbs 4:7, Solomon states that understanding is more important than wisdom:
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
The reason many Christians are not walking in their benefits is simply because they are not acting on the Word of God. Understanding is the key to acting on the Word of God.
I learned from my man of God, Apostle Fredrick K. C. Price that faith is acting on the Word of God or acting on what you believe.
Now, what we see in Hebrews is that the word did not work for them, because they did not mix the word with faith. In other words, the word did not work for them, because they did not understand it, and because they did not understand it, they did not act on it.
Let’s take a look at Matthew's account of the parable of the sower:
Matthew 13:10-23 (KJV)
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11. He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 18. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21. Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
I want you to notice the reason for receiving and not receiving in this parable; it had to do with their understanding of what they heard. If you do not understand the principles of the word of God, and know how to apply it to your life, you will not experience the fullness of the blessing.
Even if the Devil is the one coming to take away the word from your understanding, he cannot take away anything from you unless you give him permission. On many accounts, we give Satan right to intimidate us out of the blessing of God, and we allow it through ignorance of the word and how it works. We may not even know that we are allowing it, simply because our minds are blinded to the potential that is in the word of God.
Faith is the key ingredient in accessing the benefits of the Kingdom.
God’s word is powerful, but it can be foolishness to you, if you allow it to be. Paul stated the following:
1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV)
18. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
All of this comes from the place of understanding or not understanding what God has promised us in His word. If you choose to understand and believe the word of God, you will be in the position to live by faith.
There is still one other thing you must do: choose to do or act on the Word. Do not allow for any doubt or unbelief to come in and take away what will bless your life.
Psalm 68:19 (KJV)
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
If we are to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we must renew our minds to the Word of God and then choose to act on it. Make a quality decision today to make the word of God your number one priority, and then choose to live it, I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed.