I am a coffee lover. Every morning I eagerly anticipate my first sip of the day as part of my “success strategy” routine. I believe that when I make my special brew and either turn on the stove or plug in my coffee pot, the water will get to the right temperature in preparation for the liquid elixir. I believe that whether I use my French press or coffee maker, I will be able to make the yummy coffee I so desire. However, I can go to the store, buy the coffee beans, grind my coffee to the right coarseness, put the coffee in my cupboard, and believe I have the coffee I want. The problem is, however, believing I will have the coffee I desire is not giving me the coffee I desire. All I am doing is operating in mental assent believing I can have the coffee I want but not operating in faith to actually have the coffee. I have everything I need to make the coffee and I believe that the coffee will satisfy my heart’s desire. But the corresponding action is the application of faith. Faith says that because I believe when I plug in the coffee maker with the specialized coffee inside, the brewed coffee that I long for will manifest. A right action with the right response is required for manifestation.
Mental assent means coming into agreement with the understanding that something is possible. It means something has your approval. Mental assent is associated with hope and belief. You hope your prayers will be answered or you believe that the word of God is true, but there is no faith; there is no evidence, no corresponding action that you have faith in the Scriptures. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). I really like this, faith…” brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for…” (Hebrews 11:1 TPT). No matter how long I desire that cup of coffee, if I don’t take the action that is foundational for me having what I believe, I’m only believing it can happen and that’s where it ends.
The real problem with mental assent is that it gives consent to deception. Too many Christians function in this superficial, carnal headspace instead of a spiritual heart-space. It’s easy to believe and lack faith. We believe when we get in the car we will be able to drive it, however, if we never put the key in the ignition and turn her on and put the car in drive, we just sit in the park position, believing we will go somewhere and never moving from the place where we are. You can’t park in hope believing you’re operating in faith. Hope stirs up faith but it’s not faith. Faith requires action, and work, or it’s useless, and dead (James 2:17).
So let’s reevaluate your position of faith. When was the last time you “believed” God for something and didn’t receive it? Could it be you were actually hoping and/ or believing from a place of mental assent versus believing in faith? What action did you take after your request? Did you question whether or not God would grant your request? Often we will say things like …” if it be your will Lord..” or …” if it’s meant to be it will be…” We must contend for our faith (Jude 1:3)! The word contend in Greek is epagonizomai (ep-ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee). It means to focus on, and struggle upon with skill and commitment opposing whatever is not of faith (biblehub.com).
The struggle is real, but strong faith will prevail. We must constantly fight for what we believe. This means fighting against the naysayers, and it means standing in faith not just mentally agreeing with what you desire to happen but it’s shifting how you think you so you will take the next step and move out in faith. Mind renewal is imperative if we want to receive what we believe in faith. Romans 12:2 teaches “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” A renewed mind will allow us to discern what God’s will is and we don’t have to say “..if it be your will, Lord..” When we pray, we have to believe God will do what we ask. Our prayers must be laced with confidence and then our actions must be rooted in faith. “For this reason, I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].” Mark 11:24 AMPC
May we continuously examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) or if we’ve been settling in a state of mental assent. The best part is there is a remedy! We can immediately make the changes that will bring to fruition what we long to see come to pass. Our God is faithful and we can tap into the God kind of faith and have what we say when we pray and believe.
If you have not received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior then this blog post is even more challenging for you. Jesus longs to have a relationship with you. It’s a very simple yet life-changing occurrence that only needs to happen once and for eternity. Simply repeat this prayer…”Dear Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I also confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus died for my sins, all of my sins and that through this acceptance of his death and in 3 days, arose from death and is now and forever alive, I am cleansed from my sins and I am forever saved, in Jesus’ name…AMEN! Make sure to get a Bible if you don’t have one. You can download a free Bible app. and turn to the book of Romans 10:9-11 which states that “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”(ESV-English Standard Version) AMEN! CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU ARE NOW SAVED AND A PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST! Please let me know if you prayed this prayer and if you are attending a church, let the pastor or one of the ministers know you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior so they can give you your next steps.
Lastly, I want to stay connected with you. Please feel free to email me at dr.e.michellemickens@exousiapowerministries.org. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I often do live streaming on these social media platforms. Join my email list at http://www.exousiapowerministries.org
I love you and God Bless You!