Seeing God

Seeing God

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. 2 Corinthians 10:5

JUST AS PAUL TOOK A STRONG STANCE against reasonings and arguments that hindered knowledge of God, we need to take a strong stance against every obstacle in our own hearts and minds. We are not born knowing the ways of God, and we are brought up in a world that often opposes them. Our minds need to be retrained. We need to learn new ways to see.

How do you see God? Your vision of him will affect every area of your life, especially your prayers of faith. If you see him as someone whose arm needs to be twisted, who needs to be given some reason to be on your side or take up your concerns, you will pray as a beggar, perhaps even as an adversary, constantly trying to convince him to give you what you long for. If you see him as a hard master, you will go to great lengths to get his attention, seek his favors, and justify your requests. But if you see him as a kind, generous keeper of promises who is constantly inviting you into partnership, where your longings and his purposes intersect, you will run into his presence and set your heart on his faithfulness. Those are vastly different attitudes of prayer, and they lead to vastly different ends. Only one will be satisfying to you and your Father.

Destroy every obstacle that comes against that partnership—that seeks to distort it, cast a shadow over it, twist it into a negotiation, or color it into anything other than what God designed it to be. You do not need to bargain with God or change his mind toward you; Jesus has already accomplished all, bridging any and all gaps between you and your Father. You have access to the knowledge of his will, the mind of Christ, and the Spirit he has placed within you. Every obstacle to intimacy with him is intruding on a sacred relationship. Get rid of it. Insist on the simplicity and joy of knowing him and trusting him with innocent, childlike faith. Your prayers will flow from a grateful heart and be filled with life.

What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.