In the body of Christ, rarely do we seek to be in alignment with the Word. In error, we seek to engineer novel ways of attaining what the Lord said. We are reinventing the wheel when the blueprint is already laid out categorically in scripture.
Firstly, the practice of confessing scriptures over our lives. This is beneficial, but there exists a tendency to confess scriptures yet live lives that are incompatible with them. Indeed, in instances of struggles with sin confession of the Word is a necessity and that is not what I am alluding to. I am referencing behaviors blatantly contradicting scripture, with no desire to change yet scripture confession is a habitual practice.
Undeniably, there are benefits to scripture confession including mind renewal and a heightened consciousness of truth. This results in transformation.
We are exhorted to memorize scripture, which is vital to comprehending the Word. However, stopping at this juncture truncates the process. There needs to be fruit of the Word in our lives. The Word of God is a seed and in the Bible we are likened to trees. We must bear fruit. When there is evidence of a knowledge of scriptures yet no affirming transformation, there will be stunted growth. Regrettably, this leads to behavior modifications and the world labelling us as ingenuine and hypocrites. The Word was never meant to produce parrot tendencies where we merely echo scriptures..
A look at some illustrations
One may be experiencing challenges with insomnia or night tormenting spirits and one of the remedial scriptures would be to confess Psalm 91. However, that psalm states in the first verse that “he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”. The first requirement that the believer is to fulfill is to dwell in the secret place. When we live distracted lives and only seek the Lord’s face prior to going to bed for a few minutes, we have violated scripture.
Consider Psalm 23:1 : The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Likewise, violation of this verse leads to want.
We are told to solely confess our way to financial prosperity however is that biblical? Why are we violating the principles laid out in scripture?
Scripture outlines the following:
- Giving
- Sowing
- Avoid debt and foolish spending
- Learn financial literacy
- Working diligently
- Building wealth over time through righteous means
- Taking care of the poor
- Seeking first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you
- Casting one’s bread upon many waters
It is permissible to confess scriptures to break a poverty mindset and come into agreement with the Word. Following that we are required to do the above.
When we delve into issues of dating and marriage, we observe the same reinvention. Those who court believe that so long as they honor the Lord through purity, He will automatically bless their marital union; however, that is a misconception. They honored the Lord in one season and they are to honor Him in the next. Wisdom, understanding, knowledge and even counselling in some cases are required for a fruitful marriage. We think that if we invest all our might in serving the Lord then our marriages and homes will be in order yet the Scriptures say houses are built on wisdom, not serving Him.
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Prov 24:3-4
The Lord through the Apostle Paul unequivocally stated that believers are to marry believers. Surprisingly, believers still marry unbelievers and expect the Lord to bless their union. Individuals have publicly admitted to marrying their spouses against the disapproval of the Lord. These cases oftentimes end in divorce or challenging, unfulfilled marriages.
Lamentably, there are numerous teenagers and adults who grew up in Christian homes only to rebel against the Lord. Consequently, many parents have chosen not to teach their children concerning the Lord so as not to place them under duress to be saved. Didn’t the Lord say “train up a child in the way of the Lord so that when he is old he will not depart from it?” Granted, there is a correct and an incorrect way of carrying out this command but to submit it to fortuity is an error and a violation of Scripture.
Lastly is the practice of spiritualizing everything. Believers will be found praying and fasting, while the world overtakes us and builds. Yes, man always ought to pray but many times, that’s all we do. Unbelievers do not pray yet they apply biblical principles that yield biblical results. We place all responsibility on the Lord instead of applying wisdom. When we venture into business or employment and seek to advance, why do we solely rely on prayer and fasting and not enroll in a course like the world does? We desire to have an impact on the world, yet we refuse to read other books besides the Bible. That is why we cannot assume positions of leadership in the world. We risk remaining solely a religious entity,having no participation in shaping our world.