By Shellie Smith (Prophetic Intercessor in Athens)
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)
As I was fixing my cup of coffee this morning, a song began in my heart, “Run to the Father,” by Matt Maher. I hadn’t heard this song for some time and the Lord often speaks to me in this way, so it caught my attention immediately! I quieted my heart and asked the Lord what was on His mind and opened the Word to Mark 8.
“… Why are you reasoning… Do you not yet discern or understand?” (Mark 8:17)
This was Jesus talking to His disciples… and this is what He is still saying to us, His followers, in these modern, highly-educated and intellectual days!
True Divine discernment starts in the heart and enlightens the mind, not the other way around!
When our mind is so busy reasoning, God, by His Spirit, is trying to get through to us, just as Jesus was trying to get through to His disciples, but we have no place to see, hear, receive or comprehend it, it is given no place to land in our soul (our heart, mind and emotions).
Reasoning is a real problem because reasoning is not faith! The Word doesn’t say that it is impossible to please God without reasoning, no, it is faith that pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6)!
“Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. For the sense and reason of the flesh is death but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace. In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to His direction because it cannot!” (Romans 8:5-6)
So, the mind of the flesh is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit. And those operating in the mind of the flesh will end up experiencing a miserable life, but those who flow in the mind of the Holy Spirit will have life and peace. This is reasoning that is contrary to the Truth in the Word of God. God wants us to use common sense, search things out and attempt to understand something but when the fruit leads to fear, anxiety and confusion then we need to recognize that we have stepped out of the Spirit and into the flesh.
We cannot have peace of mind and heart if we reason without God’s truth to enlighten us.
If you are wrestling with confusion, fears and anxieties then stop, repent, and invite Holy Spirit to lead you and step back into faith!
One of Holy Spirit’s names is Steadfast! He is ready, RIGHT NOW, to help you correct your course, your thoughts and heart position, before you take your next step! How amazing is the grace and love of God!
“There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but…” (Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25)
“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with ALL your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
“Bring ALL your arguments, theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God: and lead EVERY thought and purpose away captive into obedience of Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Dwell in the shelter of Your Almighty God where the enemy, his lies and deceptions have NO ACCESS to you (Psalm 91)!
“When wisdom wins your heart and revelation breaks in, true pleasure enters your soul” (Proverbs 2:10).
This is the Father’s heart desire for you, to live in, continually!
When I finished this morning, I clicked the button for the worship to start up and “Run to the Father” began to play. Thank you, Lord!
