The Process of Transformation Part 4

This impartation, “The Process of Transformation,” is a vital truth about spiritual growth. In Part 1, I talked about how, unfortunately, the manner in which we initially come to Christ often sets a precedent for how we judge our spiritual growth, rather than “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). I also introduced the concept of spirit, soul and body — which affects how we read the Bible. (If you haven’t done so, I encourage you to read “The Process of Transformation Part 1”.)

In Part 2, I talked about “being in two places at one time” and shared the miraculous testimony about legally entering Pakistan before I was granted permission for a visa! (You can read about this in “The Process of Transformation Part 2”.)

In Part 3, I shared diagrams to better explain the concept of spirit, soul and body, and how what’s been placed in your spirit in the new birth navigates its way into your body and your on-the-ground experience in this world. (For this revelatory impartation, read the “The Process of Transformation Part 3”.)

Allow me to continue this teaching by asking this question:

HOW DO YOU DISCERN THE TRUTHFULNESS OF GOD’S WORD?

In other words, how do you know the Bible is true?

Remember: There’s a difference between believing in the head and knowing with your heart — and we can do both.

Many times I’ve heard somebody, as I talk about spiritual reality, begin to quote scripture (as if that would make me feel better) or say something like, “Oh yes, I believe all that, but…” In all fairness, it could be true that they “believe all that! In other words, because a person is not a possessor of the things of God is not necessarily an indication they don’t believe what His Word says. They might be BELIEVING what the Bible says, but they don’t have a KNOWING about what the Bible says.

For example, I can look back on any number of times and now realize WHY I received or didn’t receive healing for someone when I prayed for them. I obviously believed for their healing. (If that wasn’t true, I wouldn’t have been praying for them in the first place.) But I didn’t KNOW they would be healed when I ministered to them. Perhaps this was because of looking at circumstances, or perhaps I was distracted at the time — not really being as focused as I should have been. 

1 Timothy 4:3 talks about “believing and knowing the truth”. We need both. We need to get past having to feel something emotionally or physically. With that in mind, let’s go to 1 Corinthians chapter 2…

1 Corinthians 2:1-2  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. (2) For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

The reason Paul declared the truth was because he knew the truth. Dropping down to verse 6…

1 Corinthians 2:6-10  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (i.e. mature): yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought (nothing): (7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. (10) But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

The Bible says it’s God’s good pleasure to make known to us the “mystery of His will” (Ephesians 1:9) and to “guide us into all truth” (John 16:13). But remember, since “God is a Spirit” (John 4:24) and we are “made in His likeness and in His image” (Genesis 1:26), God reveals truth to us Spirit to spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:11  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

This is KEY: Believing is a function of the soul (and in particular, the will); knowing is a function of the spirit. God makes all things known to us by the Spirit, to the spirit (our spirits). Now you can get ready to SHOUT!

1 Corinthians 2:12-16  Now we have received (!; past tense), not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) 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. (15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

It would do us well to spend significant time meditating in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. There’s more there than what you’ll get by skimming the surface! At this point, you may be wondering exactly how we “speak spiritual things” — things that we know, and do so in a manner the world (and its rulers) cannot understand. That’s what speaking in tongues is for! (or better said, it’s one of the things it’s for.) For a more complete teaching on how to speak spiritual things, order my 4-CD set, “The Fullness of the Holy Spirit.”

The planet on which we live — planet Earth — operates on a “voice activated system.” Nothing happens in this world without a legal human speaking words.

Proverbs 18:20-21  A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. (21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 

This explains why the Christ of God had to become a man — and become the Word — in order to redeem mankind.

John 1:1-4, 14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Herein is a powerful truth. God became man — the Word made flesh — in order to fulfill the Word of God and speak the Word of God legally in the earth. And yet, having done that, if we continue to speak the words of the world rather than the Words from the Word, we’ll continue to have the results of the world rather than create the results of the Word of God. In order to have the higher life Jesus purchased for us, we must lose the life our flesh wants to hold on to.

Mark 8:35  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

To exchange our low experience for God’s high life, we must allow our souls to be changed by receiving the input of God’s Word — which was already imparted into our spirits at the new birth — and both believe and know what has been freely given to us by speaking!

1 Corinthians 2:12-13  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

That’s the process. That’s how we draw water from the wells of salvation!

Isaiah 12:3  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

In Part 5, I’ll explain how The Word of God changes from being something we hope for — to our new, present-day reality — where we live every day!

I trust this has blessed your life. If you want to hear more about this topic, request my 4-hour teaching on CD by the same name, “The Process of Transformation.” To order, click here.

By the way, we would love to pray with you about you most pressing need. Send your prayer request here.

May God bless you Richly in Every Way,

Craig DeMo

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