Subject: The Problem with WoF in a nutshell |
Bible Note: "Did Jesus promise to give us literally anything we ask for in faith?" "No. This is a Word-Faith misinterpretation of Mark 11:23,24. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." There are limitations on what God will give, indicated by the broader context of Scripture." "To begin, God will not literally give us anything we ask. Some things are actually impossible. For example, God cannot grant a request of a creature to be God. Neither can He answer a request to approve of our sin. God will not give us a stone if we ask for bread, nor will He give us a serpent if we ask for fish (Matt. 7:9,10)." "When the rest of Scripture is taken into consideration, there are many conditions placed on God's promise to answer prayer in addition to faith. We must "abide in Him" and let His Word "abide in us" (John 15:7). We cannot "ask amiss" out of our own selfishness (James 4:3). Furthermore, we must ask "according to His will" (1 John 5:14). Even Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup [His death] pass from Me" (Matt. 26:39). We must ever keep in mind that on all except God's unconditional promises, this "if it be Your will" must always be stated or implied." [Taken from "The Complete Book of Bible Answers", Ron Rhodes, 1997, Harvest House Publishers, pg. 288] |