“At one time or another, you've probably thought, I believe the Word and I'm doing everything I know to do, yet things still haven't worked out. I have experienced that, too--personally and with many people I've ministered to. So, what's the problem? Actually, there are many problems, but I think most of them can be summed up by what Jesus said in Mark 7:13:  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition. What a startling statement! ​

Wrong teaching--specifically, wrong religious doctrine--makes God's Word of no effect. The most significant revelations I've received from the Lord all have to do with renewing my mind from old ways of thinking that I learned in church. As I was freed from the traditions, the simplicity of God's Word set me free. … I think one of the worst doctrines in the body of Christ today is the belief that God controls everything. This is usually presented in one of two ways: that God originates everything or that Satan originates the evil things but has to get God's approval before he can do His "dirty work.“ This doctrine seems to be dominant in the body of Christ. It's so entrenched that many people will just discount what I have to say before hearing me out. ​

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To them, this has become a sacred cow. But this old cow needs to die. They need to kill that sacred cow, or it will kill the power of God's Word in their lives. On the surface, it makes perfect sense that God controls everything. After all, He is God. He is all-powerful. He can do whatever He wants to do.

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I agree that God is sovereign if the word sovereign is used as its defined in the dictionary. The American Heritage Dictionary defines sovereign as "1. Self-governing; independent. 2. Having supreme rank or power. 3. Paramount;

supreme." Sovereign comes from a Latin word that means "above" (AHD). I agree with all of those definitions. God is all of that and more. But religious tradition has redefined sovereign to mean that God has and exercises "absolute control." I totally disagree with that!​

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God is not the one who makes our lives a mess. We have a choice. Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”  To say we don't have a choice is another way of saying we aren't willing to take personal responsibility for our situations. When we believe we're not responsible, it invalidates the Word of God. ​

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The Word tells us to make a choice between life and death, because we are responsible for the choices we make (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). God even tells us which one to choose; He said to choose life. God’s foreknowledge enables Him to know what we will choose. But this is a type of sovereignty that allows man’s free choice to live in tension with God’s sovereignty. While God can control our life by His power, he doesn’t. God lets us choose to want to engage in a relationship with Him. Love can not be forced.  Once we decide to align with Him, God not only cleanses us but equips us with the power (Ephesians 1:19-20) to overcome sin and change our ABC’s of action to reflect a knowledge and respect for God for all to see; inside and outside church! It’s a lifestyle of faith. Andrew goes on to say, ​

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“One of Satan’s slickest deceptions takes place in the church. Using the Sovereignty doctrine, Satan tries to convince believers that God is plotting and planning absolutely everything that happens in a person’s life so that man is left not feeling accountable for their own choices.”​

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Think about it:

1.  Andrew Wommack asks, “if you really believe God controls everything, then why do anything? Why pray? Why      study the Word? Why resist certain temptations? Just eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you die, and                whatever God wills to happen will happen” (Luke 12:19-20). However, James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves              therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” When you believe both statements, it’s the                  acceptance of the responsibility for your own decision making (with the awareness of God's character and              sovereignty) that triggers you to act responsibly because of your faith. Consider also Matthew 5:45, " ... For he      makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."   

 

    Your theology (how you interpret your study of God's Word that formulate your beliefs about God) determines         your mental health (how you reconcile the difference between your beliefs and those practiced by society) .           

     What do you think?

 

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2.  When you submit to sin rather than righteousness, and yet still expect God to work in your life, could              you be suffering from denial or wishful thinking (what Andrew is referring to as a victim mentality) as it            concerns God’s operating principles? What changes should you make to your theology or your actions          so that they are in alignment?​

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3. What prevents you from walking in love? When you don’t walk in love to your neighbor, are you showing       love to God?​

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4. The security you feel from knowing you are loved and accepted by God, inspires you to share your faith         so others can experience God's mercy and grace. If you are not sharing your faith, what is stopping you?

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5. Andrew Wommack said,  “God is waiting on you to resist the devil and appropriate what He has already        provided through Jesus!” Do you agree?​

 

    What do you do if your expectations aren't met?

 

    What do you do if you are tired of waiting?

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6. How do you express a lifestyle of faith? Do you aim for Eternal Excellence (E  ), relying on God’s                      supernatural power of the Spirit of love to flow through you; a willing vessel?