If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV

Solomon, the wisest man in the Old Covenant, to illustrate the value of wisdom uses the imagery of a man cutting wood. The picture is of a man trying to cut wood with a dull ax. If you have ever tried to cut something with a dull instrument, be it an ax or knife, you know it takes more effort to bring forth the desired result. It can also be dangerous causing injury. Many people who have tried to cut something with a dull knife have ended up cutting themselves because the knife finally cuts through the object when they least expect it and they end up stabbing or cutting themselves in the process. There is also the wear and tear on the body from using dull equipment.  At the very least, it will take more time to produce the desired results.

As we have established, it is both dangerous and time consuming to try to cut wood with a dull ax.  Why, then would anyone do it? Because they do not want to take the time that it takes to sit down and sharpen the ax. They look and their friend is already in the woods cutting trees, so they already feel like they are running behind.

I believe the sharpening of the ax represents preparation.  Many people’s health and productivity is being affected by their lack of preparation. Much like our wood cutting friend, they are so desirous to accomplish their goal, they want to skip the preparation process and get right onto the “good stuff”.

1.    Keeping Sharp Through Preparation for Ministry.

 My spiritual father in the faith Dr. Jefferson Thompson used to tell me when I was just starting out in ministry, “Preparation time is never lost time”.  Of course, that was not what I wanted to hear but it was true nonetheless. The fact is that the greater the calling, the longer the preparation time. Jesus prepared 30 years for 3 years of ministry.  Moses knew he was to be a deliverer of God’s people when he was about 40 years old (Acts 7:23-25).  He tried to fulfill his destiny in the flesh by killing an Egyptian and ended up fleeing for his life. However, after submitting to God’s sharpening (preparation) process, in the spirit he killed a whole Egyptian army who drowned in the Red Sea.

Preparation in ministry is important, first, because you need to know something if you are going to help someone else.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

 From this passage, we see that we need to have understanding of the Word and we need to learn to rightly divide the Word. I realize that understanding is a journey and not a destination. Even the Apostle Paul says we know in part. However, we have to stay sharp in our Bible study. One problem for ministers is we can become so topical in our approach to Bible study that our doctrine gets lopsided. We need devotional study of the Bible as well as topical. By “devotional”, I mean reading through the Bible. It is easy to fall in the trap of only reading the highlighted parts of your Bible. First, this leads to pride, because if you only study what you do know you lose sight of how much you do not know.  Secondly, (which leads us to our next point) in reading only your favorite “bread box” scriptures you lose sight of what he was talking about in the context of the chapter and book as well as in the light of the rest of the Bible. We have to learn how to rightly divide the Word of truth. At the time of this writing, the national presidential elections are around the corner. There are many sound bites being aired by various news networks. I have noticed that depending on the networks agenda, the sound bites can be arranged in a certain way to paint their view of a certain candidate. The same is true with those who only study their favorite scripture. They use biblical sound bites to push their spiritual agenda and not God’s. We have to draw out of the Bible what God intended not use the Bible to “proof text” what we wanted to believe to start with. (If you think this does not apply to you because you are not a five-fold minister that is not true. Ephesians 4 says the five-fold ministry is to equip believers for the work of the ministry. Every believer is called to the ministry of reconciliation.) A good example of misusing the scripture is taken from the following scripture.

 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

John 12:32 NKJV

 I have heard it taught, using this passage as a proof-text, to prove that if we lift up Jesus in praise then all peoples will be drawn to Him. Yet, if we read just one verse later we get clarity

This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

John 12:33 NKJV

The “lifting up” spoken of in verse 32 according to verse 33 is His death on the cross. Therefore, when Jesus was lifted up on the cross we were identified with Him in the mind of God and sin’s justices were paid in the high court of heaven.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

You see although praise is important, that is not what that passage is talking about.

The second reason preparation in ministry is important, is the development of character. We need to have our character developed so that when we are promoted it blesses us and does not destroy us.  Paul says that maturity is a qualifier for ministry.

not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.

1 Timothy 3:6 NKJV

 How is our character developed for ministry? It is developed through faithfully serving a man of God in the context of the local church.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

1 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV

Many young ministers are trying to “break into” the ministry. The key to promotion and enabling in ministry is faithfully serving in the local church.  Faithfulness is key to promotion and greater anointing. Elisha served Elijah and received an impartation. Timothy served Paul. Joshua served Moses. Philip, in the Book of Acts, started out as a deacon waiting tables and was promoted to being an evangelist mightily used by God. Now, you cannot be an evangelist just because you serve, you have to be called. However, to be released in your calling you have to be faithful. The greater your calling, the greater the amount of character development needed through preparation and service.

This has been a challenge for me over the years.  I have been much like our wood cutting friend who saw his friend chopping down trees while he was still sharpening his ax. I have seen people in ministry a shorter amount of time than myself pastoring churches and doing other things that makes it seem like I am being passed up, especially when they make their verbal jabs at you to make them feel superior. However, I know I am being prepared and cannot compare myself to others and I must run the race set before me.

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

 All they are doing, of course, is to measure themselves by their own standards or by comparisons within their own circle, and that doesn’t make for accurate estimation, you may be sure.

2 Corinthians 10:12 J. B. Phillips

 But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point.

2 Corinthians 10:12 Message

 Our destiny comes in seed form. Although it starts small, as we are faithful it will grow to fruition.

Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone (of the temple) in place!”

Zechariah 4:10 Message

2.    Love Prepares.

As our main text illustrates, wisdom and preparation are inseparably linked. Too many Christians are reactive rather than proactive. If you move with God, you will always be ahead of the enemy and circumstances of life. There is much teaching (as there should be) on healthy marriage relationships. However it amazes me how little emphasis there has been in the preparation phases leading up to marriage. So we with a “dull ax” are trying to cut back opposition and hold together marriages that if there had been proper preparation would have cost a lot less time, energy and pain.

 It is the nature of unrenewed man to worship the creation more than the creator and by doing so we exchange the truth of God for a lie.

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Romans 1:25 NIV

Does Paul mean we tell a lie? No. In my opinion, it means we believe a lie. For example, we are created social creatures so much so that losing your right to fellowship was a means of correction in the New Testament church. However, in some circles, the creation (social need) gets elevated above God and the purpose for which He created it and things get out of whack. The purpose for fellowship in the context of the local church should be to strengthen our relationship for the purpose of bringing unity and harmony that will in return strengthen our prayer and worship. Also, we are to come together to glean understanding from each other. You will never live long enough to learn everything on your own. That is why we are the Body of Christ. However, in some church circles the social has rose to preeminence to the point of carnality. If my flesh likes your flesh we have a basis for fellowship, if it does not I reject you. I am not talking about in a sexual context, but rather the basis for fellowship being carnal fleshly interest that may not be bad within themselves rather than a spiritual connection. The Word of God is also never mentioned in these carnal relationships, because if I listen to someone else it might imply they know something I do not (Newsflash, they probably do). In so doing we believe that we are doing what the Bible says and having unity. It is, however, a counterfeit unity and therefore you believe a lie to be true.

The same is true in relationships. The following example is some of the most ignored wisdom of God in the Bible.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV

 God instituted marriage and said it was good. However, some have elevated and worshipped being married above God the creator of marriage and it results in shipwreck. God said do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Yet week after week in our churches across America another young man or woman brings some unsaved person of the opposite sex into the church with them and sit on the back row because they do not understand what is going on (of course they don’t they are lost).  If that person is a coworker that you brought to church then that is wonderful. These people however are bringing them as a potential mate! They believe the lie (remember Paul said that is what we do when we worship the creation more than the creator) that they can change that person. The truth is, however, the person they are before you marry them is the best they will ever be. If you feel like someone who is not saved is to be your mate then wait and pray for him or her. However, you should not go into a rebellious relationship with them cutting them and you off from the very grace of God to move in their life.  Much like our wood cutting friend they see friends of theirs getting married and their life seems to be blissful. In addition, they have aunt Nellie asking them at every family function when they are going to get married.  So they succumb to the pressure, reject the Word, marry the person, and spend years in counseling that could have been spared through the preparation of doing the Word in the first place.

Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, Because he willingly walked by human precept (rules of action or conduct).

Hosea 5:11 NKJV

 Brutal Ephraim is himself brutalized— a taste of his own medicine!
He was so determined to do it his own worthless way.

Hosea 5:11 Message

 I also believe that “unequally yoked” extends beyond saved and unsaved. If you believe speaking in tongues is a valid New Testament experience and you marry someone who believes they are of the devil, then you are unequally yoked.  Unbelief comes in many forms. If you do not believe in divine healing you are an unbeliever on that level whether or not you are saved. Remember that when you choose a mate you are also choosing a parent for your children. If they come from a denomination that rejects the biblical truth of divine healing and health then who will agree with you when your children are sick?

“Woe (great sorrow and distress) to the rebellious children,” says the LORD “Who take counsel, but not of Me, 
 And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin; 
      

 Who walk to go down to Egypt (who is a type of the world system), And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt! 
      

  Therefore the strength of Pharaoh 
Shall be your shame, 
And trust in the shadow of Egypt 
Shall be your humiliation.

Isaiah 30:1-3 NKJV

 Therefore shall the strength and protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt be to your humiliation and confusion.

Isaiah 30:3 Amplified

 In addition, on a more practical level, if a man says that he loves a woman then he prepares.

I (Jesus) go to prepare a place for you.

 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14:2-4 NKJV

 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

Ephesians 5:25 NKJV

 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:2 NKJV

 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.

2 Corinthians 11:2 NIV

 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:2 NLT

 When we harmonize these passages, we realize that Christ love for us is the pattern of true love that should exist between a man and a wife. Jesus said He goes to prepare a place for us. I am amazed at how many boys (the omission of the word “men” here was deliberate) will ask a girl to marry them without a home, job, or ambition to get either. That is not love. If you are in love, you will give yourself for her. Love will not take a girl out of a home where she is cared and provided for without providing for her. He is actually lusting her. Lust desires to get at the expense of others. Love, on the other hand, desires to give at the expense of self. So ladies if that dude loves you he will have a j-o-b.  Before God gave Adam a wife, He gave him a job. When he did not cover and take care of his wife, he then lost his job.

In addition, if a guy walks in love he will establish himself by getting an education before getting into a relationship to start with. Much like the man with the dull ax, relationships struggle and have to put forth more effort because of a lack of preparation (sharpening your ax).

3.    Keeping Sharp Through 
Spiritual Preparation.

 As I said earlier, many Christians are reactive rather than proactive. They react to problems as they arise rather than preparing ahead of time. The same people who will not drive across town to go to a church to teach them how to walk in divine health will drive a hundred miles to get treatment once they get sick. Some will refuse to give God ten percent and yet will give the credit card company fifteen percent to catch up their finances because they are laboring under a curse from robbing God.

  “ Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me!  But you say, ‘ In what way have we robbed You?’  In tithes and offerings.

  You are cursed with a curse,  For you have robbed Me,  Even this whole nation.

  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,  That there may be food in My house,  And try Me now in this,”   Says the LORD of hosts,  “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven  And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

   “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”  Says the LORD of hosts;

   And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,”  Says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:8-10 NKJV

 They say they have no time to read the Word of God and yet they can tell you a blow-by-blow account of the entire career of their favorite sports star or who was voted off the Island last week. I am not criticizing sports or entertainment but they had better not be your top priority. The amount of time spent in church three times a week is not as big of an investment as dying early.

With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91:16 NKJV

 Be proactive and not reactive. Seek the Lord and He will tell you what preparations you need to make to stay sharp and to be ahead of any problems that may arise.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

It is amazing to me that church people will use this verse that promises wealth and riches to try to talk us out of it! They are so focused on the “Jesus became poor” part that they fail to appropriate the “that you…. might become rich” part. They reason that because Jesus was poor, and He was our example, that we are doomed to poverty as well.

I believe the key to unlocking this verse is in the phrase “for your sakes”. Another words, Jesus became poor as a result of His substitutionary work in redemption. So let us continue in that vein.  So when did Jesus become poor?  We will view it in the light of the rest of His redemptive work.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that Jesus became sin for us (note the word “with” identifying it as part of His substitutionary work).

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

When did Jesus become sin for us? Did He become sin as the little baby in the manger? Did Jesus become sin during His earthly ministry? No. The New Testament clearly tells us at what point He became sin.

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree (cross), that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Peter 2:24 NKJ 

So we see Jesus did not become sin as the little baby in the manger. Nor did He become sin in His earthly ministry. He became sin on the cross in redemption.

The Bible also teaches us that Jesus bore our sicknesses and was literally made sick with our sicknesses.

 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 
      

  Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:3-4 NKJV

“Griefs” is an unfortunate translation of the word in both verse four and five.  According to the Strong’s Concordance the Word “griefs” literally means “sickness”. Hebrew Scholar, Dr. Robert Young even translates it that way in his translation.

He is despised, and left of men, A man of pains, and acquainted with sickness, And as one hiding the face from us, He is despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains — he hath carried them, And we — we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53 :3-4 Young’s Literal Translation

So when did Jesus become sick with our sicknesses? Did Jesus become sick as the little baby in the manger? Did Jesus become sick during His earthly ministry? Not once did Jesus turn to Peter and say, “ Peter, you need to teach for me tonight. I caught the hog flu.”  Also if you continue reading in Isaiah you find out when these events transpired.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

The “stripes” spoken of in this verse speaks of the flogging Jesus received at the hands of the Roman officers. This event was not part of His normal life and ministry, but was accomplished in His redemptive work.

So if Jesus did not become sin as the little baby in the manger or in His earthly ministry, nor did he become sick at that time, why do people reason that He was born poor and remained that way throughout His earthly ministry?  I will agree that leaving heaven and coming to earth and accepting the limitations of humanity would definitely be a step down. But as I pointed out earlier, the phrase “for us” ties it to His redemptive work not His earthly life and ministry.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

…Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 KJV

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32 KJV

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Galatians 3:13 KJV

We also know from the Bible that Jesus was not poor in His life and ministry because He fulfilled the law.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Matthew 5:17-18 NKJV

It is true that Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law. But we forget that the book of Deuteronomy is part of the law.

“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV

Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT

If Jesus did not get wealth, He did not fulfill the law.

Some use this passage in Luke 9 to prove that Jesus was poor.

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Luke 9:57-58 NKJV

Opponents of the prosperity message say, “See there, Jesus had no place to even lay His head. He was a poor peasant.”  This is a prime example of pulling a passage out of its context to prove a point without considering the rest of the passage. Why did Jesus have no place to lay His head? Was it extreme poverty and lack? No. We get the answer only a few verses before.

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51-53 NKJV 

The reason Jesus had no place to rest his head is because the Samaritans refused to let Him come into town. No matter how much money you may have, if you cannot go into town you are going to be sleeping out under the stars.  Jesus was basically telling the guy who wanted to follow him, “If you follow Me, you may have to sleep out under the stars.  Because, they may not let you come into town.”

We see in John 13 that Judas carried Jesus’s money box.

For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

John 13:29 NKJV

We also see in John’s gospel that Judas was skimming off of the top and “helping himself” to some of that money.

This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

John 12:6 NKJV

If there was not but two dollars in the money box, and Judas stole one, don’t you think someone would have noticed it missing? Jesus had enough money in the box that Judas could steal from it and no one ever notice. Also we see from John 13:29 that the disciples were accustomed to Jesus providing for them. He had anywhere from twelve to seventy as a conservative estimate following Him at any given time. You cannot do that if you are broke.

Jesus wore a garment that was so expensive that the Roman soldiers gambled for it rather than dividing it.

They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “ They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.

John 19:24 NKJV

Now that we have let the Bible demonstrate that Jesus became poor in redemption, I want to conclude with the passage we began with.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

Jesus came to the earth to demonstrate the faith life including walking in God’s provision of financial abundance.  He then suffered and died and rose from the dead to give us the legal right to walk in that same financial abundance.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

John 14:12 NKJV

Message Continued on Part 2.

Message Completed on Part 3.

This passage has turned out to be one of the most important passages in my Christian walk. It restores focus. When Jesus rose from the dead, He “disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (the cross or redemption)” (Colossians 2:15 NKJV). Therefore, now the only device the devil has is deception rooted in fear. One way this deception manifested is through broken focus.

that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

Ephesians 4:14 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 NKJV

The way many thieves, con artists, and illusionist work is by diversion. They get you watching one hand while picking your pocket with the other. They also might wave their hand elaborately while palming something in the other. It is all about diversion. If the devil can get you focused on the wrong thing, your broken focus will allow him to steal, kill, and destroy in your life. We see one example of this in the book of Acts. In Acts Chapter one the disciples were discussing the replacement of the one fallen disciple Judas. He had hanged himself over the guilt of betraying Jesus (there is a lesson in that but for another time). However, I want to focus one phrase.

And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem…

Acts 1:19 NKJV

Notice there was only one disciple who failed and did not repent. Yet, the only one CNN wanted to report on is the one who fell. Eleven out of twelve persevered yet no cover story in the New York Post, (or the Israeli Post). Why is that? Diversion, no doubt is the reason.

The secret things belongs to the Lord our God….

If the secret things belong to the Lord our God, the first thing we must do is find out what the secret things are. First, let us discuss what they are not. Many use passages like these for an excuse for spiritual laziness. They say, “Well, brother, we just never know what God is going to do. However, we’ll understand it in the sweet by and by when we all die or fly. ‘Til then we’ll just cry because all we can do is try.” Let us look at a few passages that people have twisted to justify ignorance of the will of God.

But as it is written: “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?”

1 Corinthians 2:9, 16 NKJV

This scripture turns up a lot at funerals. This implies that the departed will finally get a grasp on God’s purpose. I got news for you. Those who have gone on to heaven or to hell for that matter, does not need to know God’s purpose. Those who have gone to heaven will no longer have a spiritual renegade (the devil) to contend with and resist. Those who have gone to hell have no more use for the knowledge of God because it is too late to do anything with it. We need spiritual insight here and now to know what to submit to and what to resist.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 NKJV

The thing that aggravates me so much about the traditional view of these passages in 1 Corinthians is the fact that no additional study is required to get insight into them. You do not have to crack open a concordance or study a commentary on the historical significance (although I have no problem with either of those). You merely just have to read one more passage in the case of both scriptures.

“ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NKJV

When you see the word “but” it negates everything said before. In other words “Eye has not seen …” was true for Old Testament believers but not for us. They did not have the New Birth or fullness of the Holy Spirit the way we know it. So “God has revealed” is the “punch line” not “Eye has not seen”.

For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV

In our last example, you have to move on to verse ten to get insight. In verse sixteen, you do not even have to go to the next verse and people still do not get it. They stand up all sour faced and say, “For who has known the mind of the Lord…halleluyer.” Once again, I turn your attention to the word “but” in the same passage, (I cannot stress that enough). In the Old Testament, they did not know the mind of the Lord, but we have the mind of Christ. Now that we have determined what the “secret things” are not, let us look at some examples of “secret things”.

1. The reason someone did not receive something from the Word of God is a secret thing.

This takes us back to diversion (you thought I had forgotten about that, didn’t you). Many times over the years when I broached the subject of divine healing, I have had someone say, “Well, Aunt Sookie believed in divine healing and she died”. Others, even if they do not vocalize it, when they believe for their healing their mind is bombarded with incidents of those who professed divine healing and died anyway. This is Satan’s diversion at work. The devil will get you so busy chasing secret things that you lose sight of what God has revealed. “Lord, why did so-in-so die?” Frankly, it is none of our business why they did not receive. Chances are the Lord will never reveal it to us in this life. We need to focus on what God has revealed.

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever…

Deuteronomy 29:29 NKJV

Therefore, anything revealed to us in the Word will not “pass away” as some attest, but belong to us and our children forever. We have to be adamant about our Covenant benefits in Christ. We have to decide if no one else walks in the benefits of redemption; it is still available to us and our children.

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.

Psalm 91:7 NKJV

We live in a nation of statistics. Seven out of Ten die of this. Sixty out of a hundred suffer from that. Brother Keith Moore says someone has to be the ones who do not suffer from it. If seven out of ten, die of this then that means three out of ten never are bothered with it. We have to purpose through the Word of God that we will be the exception and we will walk in divine deliverance.

What has God revealed?

God is not willing any should perish (be lost and go to hell) (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4).
By the stripes of Jesus we were healed (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24).
God gives us the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).
With long life, God satisfies us (Psalm 91:16).
God’s wisdom (Gr-sophia or the big picture) is available to us (James 1:5).

We have to be so grounded in what God has revealed for us that we will not be shaken by those who did not receive. When you see a lost loved one, claim your covenant right that God is not willing that they should perish. When sickness tries to attack your body, do not think of those who did not make it but latch hold of “By His stripes I was healed”! If your bank account reads double zeros, do not focus on the family member, friend, or acquaintance that went down the drain financially. Boldly declare, “God gives me the power to get wealth”! “I am a tither therefore the devourer is rebuked for my sake”! When you read in the newspaper or see on the news about a fatality and the devil whispers, “see, that guy was your age or younger, you just never know when it is your time to go”, say, “No, with long life God satisfies me and shows me His salvation”! When you face a difficult situation and you need wisdom (the big picture) say, “although I may not know why Uncle Mortimer may be facing what he is facing, I can know why this attack came upon me and how to get free, because God will give unto me wisdom when I ask in faith”!

2. The reason someone does not receive judgment is a secret thing.

Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.

Psalm 37:1, 7-8 NKJV

Some believers see someone that is not living right and feel cheated because they do not get what is coming to them. First thing, if you want someone to get what is coming to him or your heart is not right and you need to get rid of that attitude. You need to pity someone not walking in line with the Word and intercede for him or her.

The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 22:29-31 NKJV

If you have the attitude that sinners have it better than the righteous, it will hinder God’s provision in your life.

Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

Malachi 3:13 KJV

Can you imagine your words being stout against God? What you say of the Lord will be manifest in your life.

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.

Psalm 91:2-3 NKJV

According to this passage God’s deliverance in contingent upon what you say of Him. If you focus on the deeds of evildoers, it will cause you to stumble and the same evil tendencies will attempt manifest in your life.

Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psalm 73:1-3 NKJV

Notice Asaph (the writer of this Psalm) tied his attitude to an impure heart. When you are angry with evildoers for not getting what is coming to them you are admitting that you wish you could do the same if there were no negative consequences. Focusing (remember diversion) on what evildoers are doing rather what God has called you to do will take the grace off of your life because it is a manifestation of pride.

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 NKJV

You must be willing to do the will of God, not just obedient to eat the good of the land.

If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;

Isaiah 1:19 NKJV

Faithfulness to the local church, hearing the word, and partaking of the corporate anointing will safeguard against stumbling at the works of evildoers.

When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.

Psalm 73:16-17 NKJV

These are not the only secret things but are two of the major ones that rob people of their faith and victory in Christ.

If you enjoyed this article, please see a related video under the video tab of this website.

James 3:13-16 NIV

We can all think of someone (without even trying) who we would call selfish. They scheme, plot and step on others to get what they want. But selfishness, just like any act of the sinful nature, is deceptive. You may have some areas in your life where you’ve unknowingly allowed it to stifle you. This one may seem obvious, but continue reading to see other ways this Bessing Blocker works.

Selfish Act 1: Personal Neglect

Do not neglect your gift….

1 Timothy 4:14 NIV

God has given you the gift of a body fit for royalty. You have been equipped with every tool necessary to carry out His original plan for your life. However, many Christians are defiling their temples (bodies) with food, drugs, alcohol, excessive working (yes you, workaholics), and many other poisonous behaviors. Understand that David, Samson and even old man Abraham were physically gifted and equipped for their callings. Personal neglect—including your physical body, emotional and spiritual state—selfishly means you don’t care about God, your family or any person God may want you to touch. Heavy, huh? You’re not allowed to say, “It’s my body and my life!” No, it’s God’s body and He gives you life! Paul wrote, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are (1 Corinthians 3:17).” Just look up the verses that contain the word defile in the bible and see how God feels about your life and your body. Personal neglect is a form of selfishness and it is a Blessing Blocker.

Selfish Act 2: Idleness

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you….

2 Thessalonians 3:6-7

In addition to your job outside the Kingdom of God, you should a job inside it as well. When was the last time you volunteered to do something? Do you have a job in your home church? The early apostles not only preached, but they worked! Stephen was a food distributor! Idleness is a selfish act because you are actually choosing not to contribute your time and talents to the Kingdom. If everyone in the body of Christ was doing their respective jobs, churches everywhere would not be strapped for volunteers. It’s not about you. Stop letting selfishness block The Blessing by being idle. Be a blessing to the rest of us by donating three or four dozen of those awesome cookies you bake! And, I’ll throw in a free strength training session for everyone who indulges on them! Ecclesiastes 11:6 says, “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

Selfish Act 3: Serving Mammon

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in).

Matthew 6:24 (AMP)

The truth of this verse is evident everywhere you look. Not only has the world been serving mammon, or money, but so have many Christians. In serving God, we agree to enter into financial covenant with Him. Presenting our tithe, offerings and gifts of love to the Lord and His prophets ushers The Blessing into our lives. Continuing to serve mammon displays selfishness and blocks The Blessing. God promises to bless all the work of our hands—including our finances. But, how can He do so when, according to Matthew, He’s not even our Master! Not only will He bless your finances, but He will show you where to dig! Before you get offended or defensive, hear me out. This is basically a selfish refusal to prosper. When you don’t prosper, your spouse, children and the Kingdom lose out. You need some God on your money! Stop serving mammon and doing things the world’s way. Don’t be selfish with your finances another day. God may want you to sponsor a missionary or help build a building—He may want your child to attend some prestigious university! If you’ve been selfish by refusing to prosper, how will you answer God’s call?

I’ll conclude with two passages.

Exodus 36:2-6

Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.” Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

Acts 4:31-35

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Two examples—one Old Testament and one New Testament—show the absence of selfishness and the flow of The Blessing. These people were obviously not neglecting themselves (Selfish Act 1), or they would not have been able to perform the physical or spiritual aspects of their callings. Obviously none of them were idle (Selfish Act 2) because the work got done—and joyfully at that! Finally, the people of God during those times did not serve mammon (Selfish Act 3). As a result, everyone had more than enough!

Are you convinced now? Don’t let the subtleness of selfishness block The Blessing in your life. Conduct a personal inventory. If you have a spouse and children old enough, have them do the same. God so loved the world that He gave…. How can you serve as God this giving and be selfish? Why, the very reason He wants you to be selfless and give, is for Him to give The Blessing to you again and again.

Talent and intelligence are no substitute for God. Do a Google search on suicide rates, and you will see that Physicians have a higher suicide rate than the general population. Although it’s hard to validate the statistics, Psychiatrists in America are believed to be the highest of all. What good is it to have money but no happiness?

“The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.” – Proverbs 10:17

It’s a simple formula, No God = No Wisdom.

There are some who will read this post and receive it at once, and there are others who will write a flaming comment. This, too, is in the Bible. “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.” – Proverbs 9:7

If you want to add to your wisdom, read a chapter from Proverbs every day. To get even more out of it, read it out loud. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17

I encourage you, if you hear the Word, share the Word.

—Hosea 4:6

It’s an inaccurate cliché—ignorance is bliss. Hosea specifically states that a lack of knowledge can actually destroy you. Ignorance is a blessing blocker. And even though they are often used interchangeably, ignorance and stupidity are not synonyms. Stupidity means lacking in intelligence, foolish or idiotic. In contrast, ignorance is the state of being uninformed, uneducated or unaware—without knowledge. It’s like the difference between a restroom and a bathroom. They have some similar traits, but they are not the same. A person can actually act in ignorance and stupidity simultaneously. The trust be told, most stupid people aren’t ignorant at all (that’s another article). But what you don’t know can hurt you, leave you in financial ruins and cause you to miss out on God’s best for your life.

If you’ve been walking in a state of ignorance, you are vulnerable. A lack of knowledge causes you to be easily led astray. And, ignorance doesn’t give you a free pass. Let me give you an example. Being ignorant of the law is no excuse for breaking it. If you are pulled over and given a citation for driving 40 mph in a 30 mph zone, you can’t use the excuse that you didn’t know what the speed limit was to evade the ticket. It’s similar to saying, “Lord I didn’t know I was supposed to tithe. Can’t you just bless my finances anyway?” No. Your ignorance had placed you under the curse.

The first place a Christian should go for knowledge is the Word of God. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” According to this verse, it’s the foolish (or stupid) person who despises wisdom, not the ignorant. Jesus said that the truth would set us free. And, Paul told Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God….” Paul also started phrases this way on more than one occasion, “Brothers, I would not have you ignorant….” Our greatest weapon against the enemy is the Word of God in our mouths. We can not be ignorant where it is concerned. Jesus overcame the enemy with the Word (Matthew 4:3-12) and we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11). But how can we, if we are ignorant of it?

Examples from the Word

I want to share some occasions in the Bible where people were ignorant of the Word. They were being blocked from receiving the blessings of God. Notice how they reacted, how they corrected it and the results of their actions.

Josiah was just a young boy when he became king (2 Kings 22). He had begun to make some repairs on the temple when the Book of the Law was found and read to him. When he became aware of all the ways they were not obeying God, he was immediately distraught.

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”

—2 Kings 22:11-13

The previous generation had been led astray, and now the people were walking in ignorance. Yes they were also being disobedient, but remember the traffic ticket example. Once Josiah inquired of the Lord, the report came to him that his life would be spared, and he would be buried in peace.

Nehemiah had a similar experience after rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 8). When the people heard the words from the Book of the Law, they wept. Their hearts and minds were being enlightened by the Word of God. They had been operating in ignorance, and it grieved them.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve.”

—Nehemiah 8:9-11

After the celebration, the people repented and rededicated themselves to the Lord. Study the final chapters of Nehemiah. It is a great example of what should be done when someone comes out of ignorance into knowledge.

And finally, the prison guard in Acts 16. I love this story! Paul and Silas were in chains in prison praying and praising God! They weren’t in the today’s version of the United States Federal Penetintury either. This was a scene I’m sure none of us would want to find ourselves in—and they were praising God! As a result (and because of the Blessing of the Lord on their lives), the entire prison was shaken and everyone’s shackles were loosed! Hallelujah!

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

—Acts 16:27-30

This ignorant prison guard came into the knowledge of the Living God. What did he do next? Read the rest of the account. He gathered his entire household to be saved and baptized. He cleaned the wombs of Paul and Silas, fed them and rejoiced in God! If the man was stupid, after being freed from ignorance he would have completed his suicide or attempted to recapture the prisoners. There’s the difference.

Notice in each example the reactions of the people when they realized they were ignorant. They wept and repented. They chose God’s way and simultaneously chose His Blessing. You will never rise above the level of your knowledge. What you don’t know can block the Blessing of God from your life and destroy you. Don’t be ignorant and don’t be destroyed—get in the Word and get some knowledge today!

Be blessed friends, and have the perfect day everyday!

—Shontta

Psalm 138:8