June 8, 2023
“Interest” is an important thing for someone to be able to do something with all his heart. If someone is “not interested”, no matter how you force him to do something, surely the result won’t be optimal.
The “interest” that the Holy Spirit primarily will fix in the life of believer is interest in liking the Word of God, in the sense of willing to listen to the Word of God with all our heart, reading the Word and pray or declare it.
Matthew 13:23 (NIV) : But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
The word “hear” is written with the Greek word ‘akouo’, that can be translated as paying attention, considering what one is hearing, willing to understand with full attention using ear (meaning hearing with the heart).
The word “understand” is written with the Greek word ‘suniemi’, that can be translated as uniting the mind (uniting the basic belief or perception) with the person who is delivering the Word.
All of this can only happen if someone has an interest in God’s Word. The interests of believers are very diverse, but the Spirit will work to make us have GREAT INTEREST in the WORD.
I find there are several reasons why people don’t have a ‘great interest’ in God’s Word:
Already have basic beliefs and one’s own concept of life which he thinks is right.
Usually the reason someone is not interested is because the Word that he reads or hears, disturbs his likeness, purpose and numerous deeds, habits or lifestyle that he is used to do.
This is the importance to empty ourselves, get rid of the concept or the mold of this world and give life completely to be filled by the ultimate truth of the Word!
Usually hear the Word because of involuntarily or has been scheduled and only follows the routine of worship or other religious routines.
So he still hears the Word that is there but with a heart that is not interested. In the end, goes straight in one ear and out the other.
Because one disapprove with the speaker who is sowing the Word, usually because one thinks the speaker is too sharp-tongued and offensive, or the words are too complex, hard to comprehend.
Doesn’t really need God and His Word.
Maybe life is going well, especially the financial aspect that is being ‘blessed by God abundantly’. Health is also excellent and career is skyrocketing. All aspects of life seem to be fine, so doesn’t need God’s help.
In trouble but doesn’t want to accept correction and reprimand from the Word.
Usually people like this just want to be heard (always in counseling) but still using their own ways. This type of attitude of the heart only makes this person hear the Word but does not want to understand the Word itself.
I’m sure, all those various reasons are being ‘flattened or aligned’ (given a spirit of repentance, a heart that is willing to be formed, taught, and willing to change) by the Holy Spirit! So His people have great interest and tremendous thirst for the Word.
Thus, reading the Word, praying the verses of the Word and declaring them is no longer ‘a coercion’ or a routine, but becomes an unstoppable INTEREST AND LIKENESS!
This is what will make us distinguished, powerful, firm, unshakable as well as rising to become heroes of faith who inherit the nation and conquer the world!
Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
Ps. Steven Agustinus
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