Preacher: Pastor Elie Hamuli
PART 1
Seeing the unseen and accomplishing the impossible is a paradoxical statement. It pertains to God’s jurisdiction to create out of nothingness. No wonder, God, who values both natural and spiritual perception, wants you to not only read His Word but see it too! What you see in the spirit through God’s Word strengthens your faith. For this reason, you are to approach the Bible with the simplicity of little children, to whom the kingdom of God is likened.
How does one gaze at things that are not visible? 2 Corinthians 4:18 gives us a major reason to perceive the invisible because of its eternal value. In Ephesians 1:17–18, the word “fotorizo” denotes “clear pictures,” which relates to our imagination —the image that we develop within and then display publicly. Scriptures prompt our mind to visualise images; these should not be undermined. We suffer most when we entertain spiritual blindness.
Everything begins with an idea, which gives imagination its creative force. Thus, God spoke to Himself, “Let us create,” an expressed thought that invites our imagination to consider Trinity at work. Likewise, Jesus Christ demonstrates to us that adultery and lust in thought are sins in action. This implies that the deed was performed as we thought. What thoughts do you entertain? For nothing comes from the outside to corrupt man; it all begins within.
We must be open to the positive influence of the Holy Spirit in our thinking, whether through dreams, visions, or prophecies (Acts 2:17). The unifying factor among these is imagery. What we see spiritually, we do with conviction. That is why Jesus promises that “if you believe, you will see the glory of God. God communicates through visuals. We must see! When we dwell on God’s Word, we see. Psalms 1:3 – being like a tree planted (somebody planted); and that’s Jesus! You then bore fruits and observed it.
PART 2
Our senses can often influence how we see ourselves and the world around us. A personal view of ourselves can arise from family backgrounds and bad experiences, distorting one’s perception of themselves. In this way, the devil has caused many to lose sight of God’s goodness through their bad experiences.
Just as Adam and Eve’s perception of God was distorted by the deceptive influence of the serpent in the Garden of Eden (read Genesis 3:4-7), we too can be negatively affected by our perceptions of ourselves or the world around us (read Proverbs 4:20-23). However, the Bible teaches us that we can withstand these negative thoughts with the truth of God’s Word by refusing, rebuking, and replacing them.
Most importantly, we learn in Genesis 15:5 how the vision God gives overrides all negative memories and perceptions picture. The Lord told Abraham to look at the stars, which could not be counted, to see how He would bless him (Genesis 15:5). Destinies shifted when Abraham’s perception was given new light (also see Luke 6:46).
God’s perspective is much greater. He sees us through the lens of our true identity found in Christ, refining us to resemble His perfection as we fellowship with Him daily. God’s Word transforms our thinking, so we may see ourselves as He sees us—unique, beloved, and with a purpose. As we allow God to change our hearts and minds, we find greater peace, joy, and satisfaction in our lives.
The Holy Spirit communicates with us through pictures, and what we see influences our beliefs and actions. It is important to focus on Christ and His victory over death and sin (the serpent of bronze in Numbers 21:9), rather than on negative images and thoughts. Through faith and trust in Christ, we replace negative images with life-filled ones, and believe that we have received what He has promised (Mark 11:24). By doing so, we can live in the power and freedom of God’s love and truth.
