UNDERSTANDING THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT (Part 2)

For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God (1Corinthians 2:10-11).

Why did Jesus speak in parables? Starting in Matthew 13:11, Jesus explains His use of parables to his disciples by saying, “. . . it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but to them it has not been given.” If it has been given to us to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, why don’t we know them?  Verse 12 has a principle that can be hard to understand. It says, “For whoever has, to him more will be given. . . .“ We need to understand the principle of God regarding why we don’t understand. We always need Him to initiate His work in us first. I call this DIVINE INITIATION: He gives every one of us a part of Himself. He gives us FAITH, and then says, “There is more of Me; use your faith to pursue more.” One can always tell how much someone desires something by the manner in which he or she pursues it. If I really desire peace, I will pursue peace. If I desire love, I will pursue love. If I desire money, I will pursue money. And if I desire God, I will pursue God. If we don’t have understanding, it is because we haven’t pursued it.

Jesus continues, “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13). The Spanish version of this verse says, “Looking, they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t listen, nor do they understand.” They look but they never see. They hear but they don’t listen; they hear a sound, but they don’t really listen to the words. We must be deliberate in listening to the Word of God. We must masticate (chew it), swallow, digest, and let that word become a part of us.

God has given every man a measure of faith. If we use the revelation Jesus gives, we will receive more revelation until we are loaded with it. It is like receiving interest and dividends. It’s an awesome principle that the Lord is teaching us. I believe the church has entered a period of supernatural increase. Seek increase in your love for the Lord, in your understanding of His Word and ways, and in your commitment to live your life in a manner pleasing to Him.