Everyone knows God is able to do the miraculous. His ability is not the question. The question is, “How do we get the miraculous to happen for us?” Ephesians 3:20 tells us, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
The scripture does not say it is according to the power in us, but it is according to the power that is alive and at work in us! Once the Word of God is conceived in our hearts, we must keep it alive and active in us.
We may better understand this principle by taking a view of its negative counterpart. James 1:14-15 says,
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
Lust, or desire, must be conceived in our hearts before sin results. This reveals the avenue which activates the spiritual laws of death in our lives. Sin always puts us in a position where Satan can take advantage of us. Once we sin, the laws of death immediately begin to move in. We lose our peace. Strife and confusion begin to operate. Sin is a destructive force, and its ultimate goal is death. The Apostle Paul warns us, “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
In Act 5:1 Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold a piece of property and brought the money to the apostles as an offering. Before those who were present, he claimed the offering was the full amount he received from the transaction; however, he secretly kept a portion for himself. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Peter asked Ananias this question:
“Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God” (v. 4).
Ananias had conceived sin in his heart. The desire for the respect and admiration of men and the greed for money caused deception to be planted in his heart. Once it had been planted, or conceived, it brought forth fruit, which was death.
Many people wonder who killed Ananias and Sapphira — God or Satan. Actually, sin killed them. According to James, they were drawn away by their own lust, and sin brought forth death.
Let’s view this progression referred to by James with a positive viewpoint. When the desire of God is conceived, it brings forth faith; and faith, when it is finished, brings forth life.
The life of God can flow through us and bring forth good and perfect gifts from God, but it is our responsibility to give birth to them once they have been conceived in our hearts.
The life force of God is available to meet every need we are facing. Every impossible situation can be solved. The answers will come as we meditate in the Word of God and allow His power to come alive and begin working in us, then give birth to them.
