“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2 KJV).
The Bible says that the reason that people have not been saved is that their minds are blinded. Satan has blinded their minds by filling them with unbelief where salvation is concerned. Well, how do you cause your mind to see the Gospel?
There are two ways for the mind to get a clear sharp image of the Gospel.
The first is by preaching. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). When you hear the word of God preached, it begins to change your image of who you are in Christ Jesus, and it begins to change you. It makes you more like Jesus. The more of the Word of God you hear, and the more you get to fellowship with other saints, the more you get a sharper image of Jesus.
The second way to cause the mind to see is by studying the Word of God. Jesus studied the Word of God. At twelve years old He was found with the elders studying the Word. He was walking the earth as a man and He knew he had a job to do. And in order to fulfill God’s will He had to get into the Word.
That is why when Satan came out against him Jesus used the same tools that man would have to use. He got out the Word and said, “It is written.” He told the devil what was written in the Word of God, because He knew what was written. He knew what was written because He studied it. Once Jesus spoke the Word, the Bible says the devil left Him for a season.
That is what will happen to you if you spend time studying the Word of God. You study so that you can see yourself doing what Jesus did. And if you do what Jesus did, you’ll get Jesus’ results. It’s like developing photographs.
Years ago all photographs were developed in a dark room. They’d take that picture and dip it in a solution. It was not ready until the image became sharp and clear. In the same way, we need to stay in the Word of God on a subject until it becomes sharp and clear. We need to study until we see the image of Jesus in the Scripture.
Eventually you will have to have a sharp image of yourself doing the works of Jesus. So while you’re hearing the Word of God preached, and while you are studying the Word of God, see yourself casting out devils and walking in righteousness.
See yourself laying hands on the sick and them recovering. See yourself always having more than enough and winning against the devil. Stay in the Word until you see the sharper image.
Scripture References: Luke 2:46-49; 4:1-13; Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 2:15
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).