Here's an important Bible fact you would do well to not forget: The things of God must be spiritually discerned.

That's right. All the things of God must be spiritually discerned. No matter how smart you are or how much you try, you will not figure them out in the natural. Many people cause their own frustration by trying to be close to God and still walk by the flesh. This is impossible.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
(1 Cor. 2:14)

"Because they are spiritually discerned." The natural man is losing out on his provision and prosperity today because he doesn't know about the things of God. He cannot even recognize them most of the time.

In fact, when he is told about them, he considers them nothing but foolishness and fantasy. His mind (which has been programmed and trained in worldly knowledge and worldly ways) functions totally different than a man who has a renewed mind.

A Mind Renewed
A man who has a renewed mind refuses the natural things and lives by the principles of God. We are talking "major differences" here. After a man renews his mind, he begins to understand what God is really saying to him. He begins to prove the will of God in his life.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
(2 Cor. 4:18)

That's right! We must learn to refuse conformity to the world and its ways. This is not easy, especially in the beginning. We have been brought up in worldly philosophies, and we are surrounded with people who live this way.

The answer is not isolation. We cannot run away to a hiding place and never be seen again. No, that's not the answer. Doing this will not make you successful and abundant. Besides, even if you separated yourself from all the people, you would still be stuck with your unrenewed mind.

What shall we do then? Be transformed by the renewing of our mind. The beauty of this is that it is not only available to all of us, but it is the will of God. He will actually help us do this.

You and I won't reap a consistent harvest of prosperity in every way until we do it God's way. We must begin to think the thoughts of God. Where do we find these thoughts? In the Bible, the Holy Scriptures. Other books will help us and even train us, but only the Bible, the written Word of God, will wash us and renew us.

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" (Eph. 5:26). There is no shortcut, and there is no easy way. Nobody can do this for you. It will not come by the laying on of hands, anointing oil, counseling, prophecy, or any other person. It will only happen when you spend time daily in the Word of God.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(2 Cor. 4:3-4)

The things of God are spiritually discerned.

When a person receives Jesus as his or her personal Savior, things begin to change. The old, natural man and his ideas begin to fade away, and a new man gets in position to take charge. A day at a time, the Spirit of God becomes more and more a reality. Through Bible teaching, personal study, and fellowship with those who live these things, a person soon gets a grasp on the things of God.

The Holy Spirit
One more thing. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a must. You need the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. He will add to your mind's ability by teaching you, quickening you, and bringing all things to your remembrance.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
(John 14:16-17)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
(John 14:26)

Remember, the natural man cannot receive the things of God. In fact, he can't even know them. We just read this in 1 Corinthians 2:14.

My friend, if you receive and purpose to adapt to these words; if you apply these scriptures to your life, you will purpose to live accordingly and the end result will always be a greater measure of the anointing and prosperity of spirit, soul and body.

Source: How to Always Reap a Harvest by Mark T. Barclay
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers