05 Mar Expectations 5

EXPECTATIONS – BASE THEM ON WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS?

It’s probably time to move on to another topic so this will for the time being my last blog on expectations.

We discussed how expectations are established through experiences and the only way to break the cycle is in our beliefs. We also explained how this can only really happen by the renewing of our minds by the word of God (Romans 12:2).

An important component of change is the confession of our mouths. Again our words tend to follow our experiences, and also the environment we were exposed to. For instance, something I heard regularly growing up was a statement that, “nothing is too good for the King of Kings”. Although there is perhaps an underlying truth to the statement, the negative side to this is that nothing I did was good enough.

When we grow up in a negative or critical environment we are washed with the words and we generally adopt them and ultimately function out of them. How do we break the power of such beliefs that have been established in us over time?

From my own personal experience, and also from ministering to others, it is not enough just to read the word. No, I had to be convinced that the word applied to me in the here and now. But my existing beliefs would resist the truth of God’s word! So here we introduce another component to the solution, the power of agreement. Who or what am I agreeing with?

Next we are confronted with a harsh reality. If I cling to my own beliefs contrary to God’s word, I am in fact saying, “I know better than God”. This is the height of arrogance and pride, and needs to be confessed and repented of. Otherwise we remain in bondage. (God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Isaiah 55:9)

Here are some statements Jesus made paraphrased, “The Spirit has anointed me to proclaim freedom for the prisoner…..to release the oppressed”. (Luke 4:18) “If you hold to my teaching…..Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. (John 8:31-32, 36)

We then need to wash ourselves with the word of God and by faith take hold of what He has said, laying previous experiences and feelings aside and agreeing with Him and so positioning ourselves to appropriate the promises.

I am not saying this is easy. But the Apostle said that, “For we live by faith, not by sight”. (2 Corinthians 5:7) He also said, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”. (Romans10: 17).

A blog is very limited in its instruction, but hopefully acts as a stimulant to further study and believing. James said, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (1:22)

Blessings, David.