“Pastor, sometimes I struggle to receive the messages the pastor of my church preaches. Is it just me or something isn’t right about the message?”

First I must mention that when it comes to receiving the word of God, there are four categories of people to be considered. Lets see how scriptures describes them:

Matthew 13:
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Clearly, your case isn’t a problem of understanding, neither is it that you don’t want to receive the Word of God into your heart, you’re just struggling to receive certain things that your pastor says. The reasons for this can be because you have a personal relationship with God and you know to an extent what the word of the Lord is and what it is not. Just as Apostle Paul said, you can differentiate between enticing words of man’s wisdom and the true revelation of God’s word.

If that’s the case, then I congratulate you, because you’ve attained maturity as a Christian. What some preachers have failed to realize is that God’s word does not need sweet coating or exergeration, God’s word is God’s word. If delivered accurately, it will minister to the hearer in a way that the Spirit deems necessary. Just for clarity, let me show you a few things about God’s word:

SCRIPTURE 1:

Luke 24:
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Did you see that? Your heart will always burn when you’re truly being opened up to the scriptures. I’ve been a teacher of the gospel for over 12 years now, and I’ve realized that one of the most effective ways to preach to people is to preach exactly what the scripture says, not my ideas or philosophies. The moment I’m preaching the scripture, both my heart and those who are listening to me will be feeling that burning sensation. If we don’t feel that sensation, then it’s definitely because I’m not interpreting the scripture correctly.

This happens naturally as long as your heart is opened to receive the word. If your heart is opened and you didn’t feel that burning sensation, then it’s either you don’t understand the scripture yet or you’re listening to enticing words. As Jesus opened them up to scriptures, their heart burned within them.

Personally, when I hear a man of God saying something that sounds like enticement, I just ignore it and focus on the part that aligns with scriptures. No preacher is perfect, even the best of preachers still entice and exergerate occasionally. So I just filter the teachings and continue following. Some people stop following and even create unnecessary debates when they encounter such flaws, but that’s not necessary. A matured follower knows that every preacher is first a human who can make mistakes. As long as the mistake is not deliberate and regular, then it’s safe to continue following the leader or preacher.

SCRIPTURE 2:

Hebrews 4:
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

How do you feel when you’re drinking water? It’s usually an unhindered flow from your mouth down to your belly. That’s how the word of God flows unhindered for a heart that is ready. But it doesn’t just stop at your belly, it goes through your bone and marrow, into your thoughts, your soul, your spirit, it’s able to reach every part of your being unhindered. If it’s the word of God you’re receiving, your entire body will feel it, not just your heart. The burning sensation in the heart is usually the first phase, as you continue to hear, the Spirit will travel with that word through every part of your body.

An example would be how you feel as you read this message. It’s probably going straight to your heart, right? That’s because it’s not just text, but text sponsored by the Spirit of God to create the life in that text in your life. That’s actually how people receive divine healing and breakthroughs. You can hear the word to a point where the Spirit behind the word will move you to act. Remember how Peter was ministering somewhere and he sensed a crippled man who had faith to be healed. The moment he sensed his faith, he told him to rise up, and the man did. The man had faith to be healed, which simply means that the word he was hearing was moving him.

If you’re under a sermon that is neither burning in your heart or moving you to act in faith, then something is wrong. It’s either the sermon is not correctly communicated or you just don’t understand. If it has continued for so long, then I fear you may need to do something quick about it. Change church if you have to, follow preachers who you easily understand. Just do what is necessary for your growth.

I hope this has brought enlightenment to someone.

Remain ever blessed, in Jesus precious name!

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