We need to get something straight before we go any further: The Word of God is given as Doctrine! It’s not just a collection of stories!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 timothy 3:16-17)

Years ago, in the middle of a sermon, the Lord gave me something supernaturally. It went like this: “If you don’t like what you see in your life … check up on what you’ve been doing. Because what you’ve been doing … has been producing the results you’ve been getting. If you keep doing the same thing … for another 50 years … you’ll keep getting the same results …for another 50 years. The only way to change the results …, is to change what’s producing those results.”

I often see Christians struggling with the same problems, year after year. They attempt to solve those problems using the same methods, time and again. And, not surprisingly, they continue to get the same disappointing results over and over again.

The Word of God tells us on how to handle difficulties in life, yet often we’ve failed to heed His instructions. Let’s see what the Word says about how to handle our problems by looking at some examples.

Jesus:

We’ll begin by seeing how Jesus taught the disciples to handle problems they encountered in life.

“And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.” (Mark 11: 11-14)

It’s important to note that Jesus didn’t pray to His Heavenly Father about the mountain or obstacle in His life, but rather “spoke to the problem, directly”. It’s also notable that after Jesus taught in the temple, many of the religious leaders of that day, didn’t approve of his doctrine. It’s the same way today. Many of today’s religious leaders take issue with the teachings of Jesus.

“And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.” (Mark 11: 18) Jesus’ doctrine was, and is, life-changing doctrine.

Jesus spoke “to” the Fig Tree (mountain or obstacle in His life). That was, and is, His doctrine.

“And when even was come, he went out of the city. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” (or … “Have the God kind of faith.”) (Mark 11: 19-22)

Peter was excited. Jesus had spoken to the problem (the fig tree) the evening before. And to Peter’s amazement … by the next morning the tree had dried up from the very roots. When Peter drew this to the Lord’s attention, Jesus then began to instruct His followers concerning how to develop this “God Kind of Faith.”

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” (Mark 11 23)

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Jesus taught the disciples that this will work for anybody (“whosoever”). He also taught them that they needed to “talk directly to the problem” in their life, and “not talk to God about the problem”.

Jesus further instructed them “what” to say to the problem. He told them that they needed to command the problem to leave, or cease existing.

Jesus told them to have the “God kind of Faith” (verse 22). He told them that having the God kind of faith meant speaking to the “mountains or obstacles” in their life (verse 23).

Jesus further instructed them to believe and warned them to not: “doubt in their heart” (verse 23).

Someone said, “Oh, that’s great. But how do you get to the point that you believe or have “faith” in your heart?

Romans 10:17 addresses that issue. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” God’s Word tells us that the only way heart faith comes is through hearing, and hearing, and hearing the Word of God!

Well, if heart faith comes only through hearing the Word of God over and over, how do you guard against heart doubt?

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (natural), but mighty through God (supernatural) to the pulling down of strong holds (mountains or obstacles); Casting down imaginations (thoughts), and every high thing (including evil reports) that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (control your thoughts to be in line with God’s Word).” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Let’s confirm the Bible Doctrine of speaking to the problems in our lives, just to make sure we’ve got it right!

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you..” (Luke 17:5)

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Here we see the disciples asking Jesus to help them learn about the “God Kind of Faith”. He tells them that they must “do something” with their faith. They would have to plant a mustard seed in order for it to become anything, and likewise, they must act on their faith … in order for it to have any effect.

Furthermore, Jesus instructed them as to how to act on their faith. He said they would have to “say to the sycamine tree” (talk to the problem in faith) … be thou plucked up and be planted in the sea (leave me) and it would obey you.

Zerubbabel:

Let’s look at a couple more examples from the Word of God. Zerubbabel has a visitation from an Angel and is given instruction concerning how to make mountains (obstacles in his life) disappear from his life.

“This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might (your abilities), nor by power (numerical strength), but by my spirit (supernaturally), saith the LORD of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain (obstacle)? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain (absence of mountains): and he shall bring forth the headstone (marking the place of burial) thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace (God’s unmerited favor) unto it.” (Zechariah 4:6,7)

God stated that He would use supernatural means to rid Zerubbabel of his problems. He went on to tell Zerubbabel that his part was to shout to the mountain claiming the grace (unmerited favor) of God. By doing so, the mountain (obstacle) would disappear and become a plain before him.

Abraham:

Let’s see what Abraham (the Father of our Faith) learned, concerning the flesh (natural realm) as it pertains to Faith? “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?” (Romans 4:1)

“As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17)

Abram wasn’t initially “in faith” concerning God’s promise. He initially placed great emphasis upon the circumstances. That’s why, when Sarah’s womb was dead, they contrived a plan for him to father a child by her handmaiden, Hagar. (This illustrates that it’s quite possible for someone to begin in unbelief; recognize their error; and then build their faith to a level that they can receive God’s promise.)

Abram had to “keep hearing” in order for faith to come. (“So then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17) God changed his name from Abram to Abraham (meaning Father of many nations), because he needed to hear what God said … again, and again, and again, and again.

Abraham had to get to the point that “he considered not his body now dead, neither the deadness of Sarah’s womb”. (He had to arrive at the point where he could “cast down reasonings and imaginations”.)

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (natural), but mighty through God (supernatural) to the pulling down of strong holds (mountains or obstacles); Casting down imaginations (thoughts), and every high thing (evil reports) that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (He had to control what he thought about.) 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:18-22)

God, our Father, The Chief Elder (Spiritually Mature One):

God, Himself, framed the worlds by believing and speaking the desired results.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen (visible things) were not made of things which do appear (natural material).” (Hebrews 11: 1-3)

Peter:

Peter is an example of someone beginning in the “Arena of Faith” and then getting pulled over into the “Arena of Reason”.

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14: 22-31)

Peter began to walk on the water in response to the “Word” of the Living God (Jesus). At this point he was operating in the “Arena of Faith.” As long as he concentrated on what the Lord said, he was successful. But the moment he began considering the circumstances and got his eyes on the “wind boisterous” …he moved over to the “Arena of Reason” and he began to sink.

Let me ask you a question. What does wind have to do with walking on water? Not a single thing! If God tells you something, then don’t get your eyes on anything other than what He said! Satan will always try to get you to look at something besides God’s Word, and if he’s successful at doing that, you’ll be defeated … every time!

Jesus confronted Peter as to why he changed from fighting in the “Arena of Faith” … where he was already winning; to fighting in the “Arena of Reason” … where loss was inevitable.

Concentrating on the “Word of God” (Arena of Faith) concerning the situation, and guarding against moving over into the Arena of Reason (considering the circumstances) will insure victory.

We need to discover and correct error in our thinking and our actions. (Remember, if it’s not working for you now, change what you’ve been doing, because what you’ve been doing … has been producing the results you’ve been getting.)

The Scripture declares: “Calleth those things that be not as though they were”

It didn’t say, “Calleth those things which be … as though they were not!”

Wrong confession … Claiming: “I’m not sick, I’m not sick.” (when you’re sicker than a dog).

Right confession … Claiming: “By Jesus stripes I am healed. Thank you Jesus for healing me. I’m healed. Himself bare my sickness and carried my infirmities. He blesses my bread and my water and takes sickness away from the midst of me. He sent His Word and healed me and delivered me from my destructions. These symptoms will have to go, because I’m healed…Praise God, I’m healed.”