The world would have us believe that in the heart of mankind are complications that make it difficult to discern fact from fiction. Actually, God deposits His truth into our hearts through His Spirit. We are told we must believe with the heart; not the mind (see Romans 10:7-10). The head and the heart are supposed to work together. Unfortunately, the natural mind can get in the way of the mind of Christ. Where things get sticky is trying to understand spiritual things through natural reasoning. This interrupts the belief process that begins in the heart. As a matter of fact, true understanding and discernment are found in the heart; not the mind. One clue if found in King Solomon’s request to God found in 1 Kings 3:9, Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this your so great a people? Proverbs 8:5 O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be you of an understanding heart.
Some have a very difficult time with faith, because they keep picking things apart trying to figure things out.
They want to understand how God is going to move in their circumstances before they believe. Essentially, they lean on their own understanding, and as a result, they fail to gain true understanding. As a suggestion, instead of trying to know how God is going to do something, get to know Him. The more you know Him, the more you will understand His ways. When you better understand His ways, you won’t be overly concerned with the means. As you focus on the relationship, you’ll become more in tuned with His will and desires. Hearing His voice become more valuable to you, and when it does, faith is freer to operate in your life. Obedience will be more important. As you become more submissive, your understanding increases.
Obedience means to believe with the intent to conform to the desires of a superior with a heart of love. That means with love for our Father, comes a greater desire to please Him. It is relational in nature. In the relationship comes a greater understanding of His heart, which is something that transcends head knowledge. It is amazing how you can learn things without knowing how. Why? Because He reveals His truth by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2: 11 – 16 For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. 12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’ wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14. But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15. But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that He may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
People get into trouble when they value man’s opinion more than God’s. Frankly, because of living in the world prior to coming to Christ, Kingdom thinking can appear contrary to “reality.” As a result, people try to confirm their new found truth through other people. Lets be clear, godly counsel is a very good thing. Putting hope in man’s opinion over God’s Word is not so good. The more we agree with God, the more things will make sense. He actually makes life less complicated if we will just listen to Him.
