Why Hasn't God Answered My Prayer?

Countless believers are patiently waiting for their breakthrough. They have prayed, fasted, and wept before
God, sought the prayers of others, and faithfully trusted Him for a major turnaround in their lives. Yet many continue to ask the same question:

"Why hasn't God answered my prayer?"

What if the answer is not that God has ignored your request? What if He has already answered it, but you rejected His provision because it did not come packaged the way you expected? This possibility deserves serious consideration.

God's Word Is His Law

The Bible reveals that God governs His Kingdom by spiritual laws and principles. His promises are certain, but they are often realized as we cooperate with the instructions He has given.

Whenever we ask God for something, He frequently responds by leading us to participate in one of His divine principles. When we reject His instruction, we may unknowingly reject the very pathway God has established to answer our prayer. That is why Solomon wrote:

"Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life." (Proverbs 4:13)

Notice the strength of this command. We are not merely told to hear instruction; we are commanded to hold tightly to it, guard it, and treasure it. Why? Because instruction is life. Every instruction that God gives is designed to preserve us, guide us, and lead us into His blessings. His instructions are never random; they are the protocols that govern His promises.

The Consequences of Rejecting Instruction

If treasuring God's instruction brings life, what happens when we reject it? The answer is equally clear:

"Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured." (Proverbs 13:18)

This verse should cause every believer to pause. Notice that Solomon does not attribute poverty and shame solely to a lack of prayer. Instead, he identifies refusing instruction as a cause. Conversely, those who receive correction, embrace God's wisdom, and obey His instructions position themselves for honor. This is an important biblical principle. Many people pray for God's promises while simultaneously resisting God's instructions. Yet throughout Scripture, God's blessings are consistently connected to obedience.

God's Instructions Are Often the Answer to Our Prayers

Consider two familiar passages:

"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth." (Proverbs 11:24)

"Give, and it shall be given unto you..." (Luke 6:38)

These verses are much more than inspirational sayings. They reveal spiritual laws God established.

Now consider this scenario. You have been crying out to God for financial breakthrough. Bills are piling up. Your mortgage is behind. You desperately ask God to rescue you and provide more than enough to meet your needs.

Only hours later, a homeless person asks you for assistance. You ignore him.

The following day, while scrolling through social media, you discover that a friend has created a GoFundMe campaign because they are about to lose their home and have exhausted every available resource. You scroll past it without giving it another thought.

Later that evening, you pray once again: "Lord, why haven't You answered me?"

But what if He already had? What if those opportunities to help someone in genuine need were not interruptions, but invitations? What if they were God's way of inviting you to participate in the very spiritual law connected to the breakthrough you have been praying for?

Prayer Does Not Replace Obedience

Please understand. Prayer is essential. Fasting has its place. Corporate prayer is valuable. Agreement with other believers is biblical. However, none of these practices were ever intended to replace obedience.

Too often we want God to fulfill His promises while ignoring the principles He established to release them. God frequently answers prayer by allowing us to obey. Sometimes His answer does not arrive as money in our bank account. Sometimes it arrives disguised as a person in need.

Faith Requires Action

Scripture reminds us:

"So faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26)

Faith is not merely believing God can do something. Faith responds when God provides an opportunity to obey. Perhaps your breakthrough has not been delayed because God is unwilling. Perhaps it has been delayed because the instruction connected to your breakthrough has repeatedly been overlooked.

A Question Worth Asking

Before asking God why your breakthrough has not yet come, perhaps ask yourself another question: have I treasured God's instructions enough to obey them? Have I embraced His principles? Have I acted upon the opportunities He has placed before me? Or have I prayed for provision while refusing the protocol that governs it?

The Pathway to Breakthrough

God's promises never fail. But we often experience His promises through obedience to His instructions.

Treasure His Word.
Receive His correction.
Practice His principles.
Walk in obedience.

Then trust God to fulfill His promises in His perfect way and in His perfect timing. Your breakthrough may not be waiting on another prayer. It may be waiting on your next act of obedience.

"Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life." (Proverbs 4:13)

"Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured." (Proverbs 13:18)

The choice is ours. Spiritual protocol will always require us to treasure God's instructions, obey His principles, and trust Him to bring the breakthrough only He can provide.

Pastor Kevin L. A. Ewing
www.kevinlaewing.com
www.kevinlaewing.blogspot.com
ewinglakevin@icloud.com

God's Wealth Transfer Principle: How Riches Change Hands in His Economy

Throughout Scripture, God reveals that wealth is not merely accumulated by human effort, nor ultimately
controlled by earthly systems. Rather, He is the sovereign Owner of all things and has established spiritual laws that govern the flow of resources. One of the most overlooked principles in the Bible is that God often transfers wealth to those who demonstrate compassion toward the poor and faithfulness in stewardship.

This truth is not isolated to one passage of Scripture. It appears repeatedly throughout both the Old and New Testaments, revealing a consistent pattern of God's dealings with humanity.

A Generous Eye Attracts God's Blessing

Solomon writes:

"He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor." (Proverbs 22:9)

The phrase "a bountiful eye" literally describes a person who is generous and compassionate in helping others, especially the poor. Rather than viewing wealth as something to be hoarded, this individual sees it as a tool through which God can bless the less fortunate.

Notice that the blessing is not attached merely to possessing wealth, but to sharing it. This principle establishes an important truth: God blesses those who become a blessing. Throughout Scripture, generosity toward the poor is repeatedly presented as an act of worship unto God Himself.

God Redirects Wealth

Solomon continues this theme:

"He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor." (Proverbs 28:8)

This verse teaches that a person may increase wealth through exploitation, greed, or oppressive financial practices, yet God has already determined its eventual destination. The wealth will ultimately end up in the hands of those who show mercy to the poor.

This is not merely poetic language. It declares God's sovereignty over earthly wealth. People may gather riches through dishonest means, but they do not determine where those riches will finally rest. God does.

God Causes the Sinner to Gather

Ecclesiastes 2:26 reinforces the same principle:

"For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God." (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

The sinner gathers.
The sinner accumulates.
The sinner heaps up.
Yet God ultimately transfers those resources into the hands of those who please Him.

Read alongside Proverbs 28:8, the picture becomes remarkably clear. Who are those who are "good before God"? Proverbs answers: those who show compassion toward the poor. God's economy often operates differently from the world's economy. He remains sovereign over wealth, and He directs resources according to His righteous purposes.

The New Testament Continues the Same Principle

The Apostle Paul confirms this same divine pattern in 2 Corinthians 9. Quoting Psalm 112, Paul writes:

"He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever." (2 Corinthians 9:9)

Then Paul continues:

"Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (2 Corinthians 9:10)

"Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness." (2 Corinthians 9:11)

Notice God's order:

1. The believer gives.
2. God supplies more seed.
3. The believer gives again.
4. God multiplies the seed.

Why? Not merely so the believer can accumulate greater possessions. Rather, as the ESV renders it, "being enriched in everything for all generosity." The increase serves a purpose. God increases faithful stewards so they may become greater channels through which His blessings flow to others.

God Rewards Faithful Stewardship

One of the greatest principles governing God's Kingdom is not merely generosity but faithfulness. Jesus repeatedly emphasized that God entrusts greater responsibilities and greater resources to those who prove faithful with what they already possess.

In Luke 16:10, Jesus declared:

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." (Luke 16:10)

Faithfulness in small matters qualifies a believer for greater trust. In the Parable of the Talents, the master commended his faithful servant:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant... I will make thee ruler over many things." (Matthew 25:21)

Similarly, in the Parable of the Minas, Jesus said:

"Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." (Luke 19:17)

God's promotions are never arbitrary. They are connected to proven faithfulness. Jesus further explained this principle:

"If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?" (Luke 16:11-12)

Money becomes a test of the heart, a challenge that, regrettably, most individuals fail. Not because God needs our finances, but because finances reveal our hearts. Those who faithfully steward earthly resources demonstrate that they can be trusted with greater responsibilities in God's Kingdom.

God's Financial System

When these passages are placed together, a remarkable pattern emerges:

1. The wicked gather wealth.
2. God oversees its destination.
3. The compassionate receive it.
4. The generous distribute it.
5. God multiplies their resources.
6. They become increasingly equipped to bless others.

This is God's cycle of stewardship, not a cycle of greed, but a cycle of generosity.

My Personal Appeal

It is not my intent to encourage the religious community to defund religious institutions or discourage financial support for places of worship. Instead, it is quite the opposite, with the added benefit of self-empowerment. My sole desire is to empower the followers of these institutions to discover the biblical principles God Himself established for financial increase.

When believers consistently invest in the lives of the poor, widows, orphans, strangers, and those genuinely unable to help themselves, they position themselves to tangibly experience the spiritual promises revealed throughout Scripture, promises that were already in place for us spiritually before the foundation of the world, according to Ephesians 1:3-4. Consistent obedience causes spiritual blessings to manifest physically in a person's life.

As God blesses faithful and generous believers, they become increasingly able to support their churches, ministries, missionaries, and every good work from a place of abundance rather than financial pressure and limitation. A financially strengthened congregation can accomplish far more for the Kingdom of God than a congregation burdened by lack.

Giving According to Biblical Principle Rather Than Religious Tradition

I must address this point to free many of you from a financial system that has nothing to do with us as New Testament believers. Much confusion surrounds the subject of tithing.

Under the Mosaic Covenant, the tithe was specifically assigned to the support of the Levitical priesthood. Leviticus 27:30-33 identifies the tithe as part of Israel's covenantal law. Numbers 18:21-24 records that the tithe was given by God to the descendants of Levi, because they received no tribal inheritance in the land. Hebrews 7:5 likewise states:

"They that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham." (Hebrews 7:5)

Here, "their brethren" refers to the eleven other tribes of Israel. These passages identify the recipients of the tithe under the Mosaic covenant as the Levitical priesthood serving in Israel's temple system, and their sibling tribes as the ones who paid the tithe to them.

In contrast, the New Testament does not command believers to tithe as a covenant obligation. Instead, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to give according to principles that flow from a willing and transformed heart. He writes:

"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Then he adds:

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

And once again Paul points believers toward God's concern for the needy:

"He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor." (2 Corinthians 9:9)

The New Testament emphasis is not on giving under compulsion, but on cheerful, purposeful, generous stewardship that reflects God's heart while also revealing the giver's heart.

The Ultimate Wealth Transfer

Solomon concludes this divine pattern with one final statement:

"The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just." (Proverbs 13:22)

This verse does not encourage believers to covet another person's possessions. Instead, it reminds us that God remains sovereign over every resource on earth. He can move wealth according to His purposes.

When viewed together with Proverbs 22:9, Proverbs 28:8, Ecclesiastes 2:26, and 2 Corinthians 9:9-11, Proverbs 13:22 completes the picture. The true recipients of God's wealth transfers are not necessarily the most gifted, the most educated, or even the hardest working. They are those who prove themselves faithful stewards of what God has already entrusted to them.

They are those who open their hands to the poor. They understand the principle of giving to the poor, and the supernatural resources and favor it produces effortlessly. They are those who understand that prosperity is not an end in itself but a divine trust. As they faithfully steward earthly resources, God entrusts them with more, not merely to increase their standard of living, but to increase their standard of giving.

May we therefore devote ourselves to living by the enduring principles of God's Word rather than the fruitless traditions of men. God's Kingdom operates according to His unchanging laws, and those who consistently walk in His ways can trust Him to provide, to increase, and to direct resources for His glory. Let us become faithful stewards, cheerful givers, and compassionate servants, so that through our lives many needs are met, many hearts give thanks to God, and His name is exalted above all.

Pastor Kevin L. A. Ewing
www.kevinlaewing.com
www.kevinlaewing.blogspot.com
ewinglakevin@icloud.com

God's Financial System Operates by Biblical Principles

One of the greatest discoveries I have ever made was that the Bible is not merely a book of inspirational
stories; it is God's rulebook. Throughout Scripture, God established spiritual laws and principles that govern every area of life, including finances. Just as the law of sowing and reaping governs agriculture, God's financial principles govern increase, provision, preservation, and abundance.

For years, I misunderstood these principles. Like many sincere believers, I participated in the traditional religious practice of sowing "financial seeds," believing that if I gave enough money into religious settings, I would eventually receive an extraordinary financial breakthrough to eliminate my debts. Yet despite my sincerity, the results I hoped for never materialized.

Everything changed when I stopped viewing the Bible merely as a devotional book and began reading it as God's Rule Book. Then I discovered a principle repeated throughout Scripture that I had largely overlooked: God's extraordinary promises of financial provision are consistently connected to how we treat the poor.

"Through knowledge shall the just be delivered." (Proverbs 11:9)

Knowledge of God's principles changed my life.

Blessed Is the One Who Considers the Poor

Perhaps no passage summarizes God's heart toward the poor more beautifully than Psalm 41.

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth... The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing..." (Psalm 41:1-3)

Notice the promises attached to one biblical principle:

• Deliverance in trouble
• Divine preservation
• Long life
• Blessing upon the earth
• Strength in times of weakness

These are supernatural returns that God Himself promises to those who thoughtfully care for those in need.

Proverbs Repeatedly Connects Giving to Prosperity

The book of Proverbs reinforces this principle over and over again.

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." (Proverbs 19:17)

Imagine that. Scripture says giving to the poor is literally making a loan to God, and God promises to repay it.

"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth... The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." (Proverbs 11:24-25)

Generosity, according to God's economy, does not diminish wealth. It becomes a pathway for increase.

"He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack..." (Proverbs 28:27)

Notice the clarity of this promise. Scripture does not say he might not lack. It simply states, "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack."

"He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor." (Proverbs 14:31)

"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard." (Proverbs 21:13)

These verses reveal that our treatment of the poor directly affects our relationship with God.

When You Give to the Poor, You Give to Christ

Jesus removed every doubt concerning how He views acts of compassion. In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus describes the final judgment and repeatedly says:

"I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink... I was a stranger, and ye took me in." (Matthew 25:35)

The righteous ask, "Lord, when saw we thee...?" Jesus answers:

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)

This is one of Scripture's most remarkable teachings. Jesus identifies Himself with those in need. Every act of kindness toward the hungry, the poor, the sick, or the forgotten is viewed by Christ as an act done personally to Him. Giving to the poor is therefore not merely charity; it is an expression of love and obedience toward Christ Himself.

My Personal Testimony

When I finally understood these biblical principles, my entire approach to finances changed. I stopped chasing financial miracles through traditions that I believed would produce wealth simply because I had given what was called a "financial seed." Instead, I began asking a different question: "What are God's financial rules?"

As I consistently applied those rules, especially the repeated biblical instruction to care for the poor, I watched God transform my financial life. Today, I am completely debt-free. The life that I once prayed for gradually became my reality, not because I discovered a secret formula, but because I learned to live according to God's written principles.

Now my greatest desire is not merely to accumulate resources but to multiply them so they can be invested into the lives of people who can do absolutely nothing for me in return. That is the kind of giving Scripture repeatedly honors.

The Protocol That Governs Biblical Giving

The Apostle Paul summarizes God's principles of giving in 2 Corinthians 9:6-10. First, he establishes the law of sowing and reaping:

"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6)

Next, he explains the attitude that must accompany giving:

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Giving should never be manipulated, forced, or driven by guilt. It should flow willingly from a heart that trusts God. Paul then reveals God's promise:

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye... may abound to every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Finally, Paul connects God's blessing directly with generosity toward the poor, quoting Psalm 112:

"He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever." (2 Corinthians 9:9)

He concludes:

"Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (2 Corinthians 9:10)

Notice God's order. He provides seed. The believer sows according to His principles. God then multiplies what has been sown. The increase is not merely for personal consumption but to continue producing righteousness through generosity.

Conclusion

Scripture consistently teaches that God's financial system is governed by principles rather than wishful thinking. From Psalm 41 to Proverbs, from the teachings of Jesus to the writings of Paul, one truth is repeated again and again: God has a special concern for the poor, and He attaches extraordinary promises to those who compassionately care for them.

This does not mean every gift made in every context is without value, nor does it eliminate other biblical expressions of generosity. Rather, it highlights a principle Scripture repeatedly emphasizes: caring for those in genuine need occupies a unique place in God's heart and carries promises stated plainly in His Word.

If we desire God's blessing, provision, and increase, we must build our lives upon the biblical rules He has already revealed. When we align ourselves with His principles, we position ourselves to experience His faithfulness, not because we have manipulated God, but because we have chosen to walk in obedience to His Word.

The Bible is not merely a book to be admired.
It is God's rulebook.
And when His rules are practiced, His promises are experienced.

Pastor Kevin L A. Ewing
www.kevinlaewing.com
www.kevinlaewing.blogspot.com
ewinglakevin@icloud.com

 

Matthew 7:22-23 is one of the most sobering passages in Scripture, because it reveals that religious
activity, spiritual gifts, and even miraculous works are not the same as knowing Jesus Christ. Jesus warns that some people will outwardly appear to be successful ministers or believers, yet have never entered into a genuine saving relationship with Him.

"On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'" (Matthew 7:22-23, ESV)

The Context of Matthew 7

Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by contrasting:

• Two gates (Matthew 7:13-14)
• Two trees (Matthew 7:15-20)
• Two builders (Matthew 7:24-27)

The central question is not merely whether someone is religious, but whether they truly belong to Christ. Just before verses 22-23, Jesus says:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father..." (Matthew 7:21, ESV)

These individuals even call Him "Lord," acknowledging His authority, yet their profession is not matched by a genuine relationship or obedient faith.

Verse 22: Impressive Spiritual Accomplishments

Notice what these people claim: "We prophesied in Your name." "We cast out demons in Your name." "We did many mighty works in Your name." These are extraordinary ministries.

Jesus does not immediately deny that these things happened. Instead, He addresses something far deeper: the absence of a relationship with Him. This teaches an important biblical truth: God may use a person as an instrument without that person belonging to Him. Examples include:

• Balaam (Numbers 22-24), who spoke true prophecy yet loved unrighteous gain.
• Judas Iscariot, who was sent out with the other disciples and participated in ministry (Matthew 10:1-8), yet ultimately betrayed Christ.
• King Saul, upon whom the Spirit came for a time (1 Samuel 10:10), but whose heart became hardened.

The Greek of Matthew 7:23

Let's examine the key expressions.

"Οὐδέποτε" (Oudepote)

This means:

• Never
• At no time
• Absolutely never

Jesus is not saying, "I knew you once." Nor is He saying, "I used to have a relationship with you." He says, "At no point did I know you." This is one of the strongest negations in Greek.

"ἔγνων" (egnōn)

This is the aorist form of γινώσκω (ginōskō). While ginōskō can simply mean "to know," throughout Scripture it often refers to a personal, intimate, covenant relationship, not merely intellectual awareness. Examples include:

• "Adam knew (ginōskō) Eve his wife..." (Genesis 4:1, Septuagint)
• "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me." (John 10:14, ESV)

Jesus obviously knows every human being in the sense of omniscience. Therefore, when He says, "I never knew you," He cannot mean, "I never knew you existed." Rather, He means, "You never belonged to Me. We never shared a covenant relationship. You were never one of My sheep."

"ἀποχωρεῖτε ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ"

This means "depart from Me." The verb apochōreō carries the sense of:

• Go away
• Withdraw
• Leave My presence

This is the language of final judgment.

"οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν"

Literally, "those working lawlessness." The present participle describes an ongoing pattern of life. Their lives were characterized by lawlessness, despite their religious accomplishments.

"I Never Knew You" Versus "I Once Knew You"

This phrase is important because it differs from saying, "I knew you once, but not anymore." Jesus deliberately says, "I never knew you." This indicates that these individuals were never in a saving relationship with Christ, despite their outward ministry.

Now, here is where it all comes together. The Apostle Paul wrote:

"Gifts and calling of God are without repentance." (Romans 11:29)

In other words, they are irrevocable and do not require one to accept the free gift of salvation to be active in their gifts and callings. In its immediate context, Paul is speaking about God's covenant purposes for Israel. God does not revoke His promises to His covenant people.

However, the principle also helps explain an important truth: receiving gifts or a calling from God is not the same as living in fellowship with Christ. Throughout Scripture, people may receive divine enablement or be entrusted with roles, yet fail to remain faithful. Here are a few examples of that:

• Saul was anointed king but later rebelled.
• Balaam prophesied accurately but opposed God's ways.
• Judas ministered alongside the apostles but did not truly belong to Christ.

Therefore, spiritual gifts are not the evidence of salvation. The New Testament consistently teaches that the evidence of genuine faith includes:

• Love for Christ (John 14:15)
• Obedience to His commands (1 John 2:3-6)
• The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Perseverance in faith (Colossians 1:21-23)

A person may possess remarkable abilities, preach powerfully, or even be used by God in ministry, yet those things alone do not prove a saving relationship with Christ.

The Difference Between Gifts and Relationship

Matthew 7 highlights a crucial distinction. Spiritual gifts refer to the abilities that God bestows upon a person. A relationship with Christ, conversely, revolves around how that person is connected to Him.

One can possess gifts without spiritual maturity. The Church at Corinth illustrates this well. They were richly gifted (1 Corinthians 1:7), yet struggled with division, immorality, and pride.

Again, Jesus never says, "I never saw your miracles." Instead, He said, "I never knew you." The issue is not ministry success but covenant relationship.

So here is the true test. The Bible points to several marks of genuine discipleship:

• Jesus' sheep hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-28).
• Those who abide in Christ bear lasting fruit (John 15:4-8).
• Those who love Him keep His commandments (John 14:21).
• Faith works through love (Galatians 5:6).

Miracles may attract attention, but they are not the foundation of assurance. The foundation is being united to Christ by faith, transformed by the Holy Spirit, and walking in obedience to Him.

Matthew 7:22-23 is therefore not a warning against spiritual gifts themselves. Rather, it warns against substituting ministry for intimacy, gifts for godliness, or outward works for a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. As Jesus makes clear, on the day of judgment the decisive question will not be merely what we did in His name, but whether we truly belonged to Him and lived as those who knew Him and were known by Him.

Pastor Kevin L.A Ewing
www.kevinlaewing.com
www.kevinlaewing.blogspot.com

ewinglakevin@icloud.com 

Who Interprets Dreams: Man or God?

Dreams have always played a significant role throughout the Bible. God has used dreams at various times
to warn, instruct, reveal future events, and communicate His purposes to His servants. However, not every dream originates from God. Some dreams arise from the natural mind, while others may have deceptive spiritual influences behind them. Therefore, the greatest challenge for every believer is not merely having dreams, but correctly discerning their source and receiving the proper interpretation.

One of the most important questions a Christian should ask is: who gives the interpretation of dreams, man or God? The Bible gives a clear answer.

God Alone Gives the Interpretation of Dreams

Throughout Scripture, faithful servants of God consistently acknowledged that the interpretation of dreams belongs to God and not to human wisdom.

When Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker were troubled by their dreams, Joseph said:

"Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you." (Genesis 40:8)

Years later, when Pharaoh dreamed troubling dreams concerning the future of Egypt, Joseph again refused to take personal credit. Instead, he humbled himself before God, saying:

"It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Genesis 41:16)

Likewise, when King Nebuchadnezzar demanded both his dream and its interpretation, Daniel acknowledged that no human being possessed such wisdom:

"But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days." (Daniel 2:28)

Daniel made it clear that the revelation was not because he was wiser than other men:

"But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living." (Daniel 2:30)

These passages establish an important biblical principle: man may explain what God reveals, but God alone gives the true interpretation. Without God's revelation, dream interpretation becomes human opinion rather than divine truth.

The Importance of Testing the Spirit Behind Every Dream

Not every dream carries a message from God. The Apostle John commands believers:

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)

Although John is primarily addressing spiritual teaching and prophetic influence, the principle applies whenever someone believes they have received a spiritual communication. Every spiritual experience, including dreams that seem spiritually significant, must be tested rather than accepted automatically.

Dreams can produce fear, excitement, confusion, or false hope. Christians must seek the Holy Spirit's guidance before concluding that a dream is from God.

Knowing the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

John continues by explaining how believers distinguish truth from deception:

"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." (1 John 4:6)

Every genuine revelation from God will agree with God's Word and with the testimony of Christ. The Spirit of Truth always glorifies Jesus Christ, produces righteousness, and leads believers toward obedience. The spirit of error produces confusion, deception, fear, contradiction, false doctrine, and rebellion against God's revealed truth.

Therefore, dream interpretation must never contradict Scripture. If an interpretation violates God's written Word, it did not originate from the Holy Spirit.

Satan Can Produce Deceptive Dreams

The Bible warns believers that Satan often disguises himself to deceive. Paul writes:

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

This principle teaches that appearances alone cannot be trusted. Just as Satan may disguise himself as an angel of light, he and his agents may seek to deceive by appearing as familiar or trusted figures. For this reason, believers should not assume that every comforting or emotionally powerful dream comes from God simply because it features someone recognizable or appears peaceful. This is why discernment is essential.

My Personal Testimony

Over the years, I have experienced numerous dreams involving deceased relatives and friends. Initially, such dreams could easily be misunderstood as genuine visits or messages from those who had passed away. However, as I grew in my understanding of Scripture, I came to recognize that these dreams were deceptive and relatively easy to interpret because they violated clear biblical principles concerning the dead.

God expressly forbids attempting to communicate with the dead:

"...or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer." (Deuteronomy 18:11)

A necromancer is a practitioner of black magic who claims to communicate with the spirits of the dead to divine the future, or who uses supernatural forces to reanimate corpses. The Word is derived from the Greek nekros (dead) and manteia (divination).

Scripture also teaches that the dead no longer participate in the affairs of the living:

"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing... also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished." (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6)

Furthermore, Jesus' account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) shows that a great gulf is fixed between the living and the dead, preventing them from returning to communicate with those on earth.

Because these passages establish spiritual laws regarding the condition of the dead, I concluded that such dreams could not have been genuine communications from deceased loved ones. Instead, they represented deception that had to be rejected rather than embraced.

This experience reinforced an important biblical truth: every dream must be interpreted in the light of Scripture rather than emotion or personal desire.

The Holy Spirit Leads Believers Into All Truth

Ultimately, dream interpretation should never depend upon human wisdom alone. Jesus promised that believers would receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit:

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13)

Jesus also declared:

"Even the Spirit of truth... he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:17)

The Holy Spirit never contradicts the written Word of God, because He is the One who inspired it (2 Peter 1:20-21). His ministry is to glorify Christ, reveal truth, and protect believers from deception. When we surrender ourselves to His leadership, He grants discernment, wisdom, and understanding concerning spiritual matters, including dreams.

Conclusion

The Bible leaves no doubt that dream interpretation belongs to God. Joseph confessed it, Daniel confirmed it, and Scripture consistently affirms that divine revelation comes from God rather than human intellect.

At the same time, believers are commanded to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), distinguish the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of error (1 John 4:6), and recognize that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Every dream must be evaluated against the authority of God's Word.

My own experiences with dreams involving deceased relatives and friends strengthened this conviction. Rather than accepting those dreams at face value, Scripture provided the standard by which they could be tested. God's Word made it clear that communication with the dead is forbidden and inconsistent with His revealed truth. This illustrates the importance of allowing the Bible, not feelings, appearances, or human speculation, to govern the interpretation of spiritual experiences.

Christians should neither fear dreams nor attempt to interpret them with their limited understanding of the principles concerning dreams. Instead, they should seek the Lord in prayer, rely upon the Scriptures, and trust the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to lead them into all truth.

Pastor Kevin L. A Ewing
www.kevinlaewing.com
www.kevinlaewing.blogspot.com
ewinglakevin@icloud.com

What the Enemy Meant for Evil: Joseph's Pit, Prison, and Palace

"What the enemy intends for destruction, God can transform into preparation."

There are seasons in life when it seems as though God has forgotten His children. Doors close without explanation. Relationships are broken. Injustice appears to prevail, and years pass without understanding why God would allow such painful experiences.

Yet throughout Scripture, God reveals a profound truth: He often prepares His servants in hidden places before He promotes them to public places. No biblical example illustrates this truth more clearly than the life of Joseph.

The Pit: Betrayal by Family

Joseph was Jacob's beloved son, and from an early age, God revealed through dreams that he would one day be elevated above his brothers (Genesis 37:5-11). Instead of rejoicing, his brothers became consumed with jealousy. They stripped him of his special coat, threw him into a pit, and sold him as a slave to traders traveling to Egypt (Genesis 37:23-28). To their father, they made it appear that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal (Genesis 37:31-35).

From a human perspective, Joseph's dreams seemed destroyed.

Potiphar's House: Faithfulness Despite Injustice

In Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Although he had every reason to become bitter, Joseph remained faithful to God. The Lord blessed the work of his hands, and he eventually became overseer of Potiphar's household (Genesis 39:1-6).

Then another injustice occurred.

Potiphar's wife repeatedly tried to seduce Joseph, but he refused, saying:

"How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9)

When Joseph fled from temptation, she falsely accused him of assault. Without a fair hearing, Joseph was thrown into prison (Genesis 39:7-20).

Again, his circumstances seemed to move farther away from God's promises.

Prison: Forgotten but Not Forsaken

Yet even in prison, "the LORD was with Joseph" (Genesis 39:21). God gave him favor with the prison keeper, and Joseph was entrusted with responsibility over the other prisoners (Genesis 39:22-23). Instead of wasting his suffering, Joseph continued serving faithfully.

While imprisoned, Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker, giving glory to God by declaring:

"Do not interpretations belong to God?" (Genesis 40:8)

Exactly as Joseph said, the cupbearer was restored, and the baker was executed (Genesis 40:20-22). Yet the restored cupbearer forgot Joseph, leaving him in prison for two more years (Genesis 40:23; 41:1).

Even then, God had not forgotten him.

The Palace: Promoted in a Single Day

When Pharaoh dreamed troubling dreams that none of Egypt's wise men could interpret, the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph (Genesis 41:9-13). Joseph was brought before Pharaoh, and once again he pointed away from himself:

"It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Genesis 41:16)

Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams as seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:25-32). He also proposed a wise plan to preserve food during the years of plenty.

Recognizing that God's wisdom was upon Joseph, Pharaoh elevated him from prisoner to governor over all Egypt in a single day:

"See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:41)

What Every Season Taught Joseph

Joseph's promotion was not accidental.

• The pit taught him humility.
• Slavery taught him service.
• Potiphar's house taught him leadership.
• Temptation taught him integrity.
• Prison taught him patience.
• The dreams taught him to depend on God.

Every painful season became preparation for the position God had already planned.

Forgiveness After Betrayal

Years later, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking food during the famine. They stood before the brother they had betrayed, not recognizing him (Genesis 42). Joseph had the authority to punish them, imprison them, or even seek revenge.

Instead, after revealing his identity, he spoke words that continue to comfort believers today:

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." (Genesis 50:20)

Joseph saw beyond the betrayal. He understood that although his brothers were responsible for their actions, God had been working sovereignly through every trial to position him to preserve many lives, including the very family that had wronged him.

Joseph chose forgiveness because he saw God's hand behind the pain. His story reminds us that our greatest disappointments may become God's greatest appointments.

My Own Season of Preparation

As I reflect upon my own life, I see a similar lesson.

Earlier in my life, I became involved with two ladies at separate periods who, unbeknownst to me, practiced witchcraft and placed love spells upon me with the intention of ultimately destroying my life. At the time, I did not understand what was happening. I only knew that I was living through confusion, spiritual oppression, deep depression, emotional pain, unexplained fear, and circumstances that I could not explain.

Looking back, I now see those years differently.

While I do not believe God authored evil, I believe He remained sovereign throughout the entire ordeal. Just as He never abandoned Joseph in the pit, the prison, or the palace, I know for certain He never abandoned me.

Rather than allowing bitterness to take root, I have chosen not to hate those ladies. Instead, I see that even those painful experiences have become part of my preparation.

• They awakened me to spiritual realities.
• They drove me deeper into the Scriptures.
• They increased my dependence upon God.
• They gave me compassion for people who feel trapped, confused, or spiritually oppressed, like I once was.

Most importantly, they prepared me for a ministry of helping others find freedom through the truth of God's Word and embracing the reality of the spiritual realm. Jesus said:

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

Today, my desire is not to magnify darkness but to magnify the power of God to deliver, heal, restore, and redeem. Just as Joseph used his God-given wisdom to preserve lives during a famine, I pray that God will use my experiences to point others toward the freedom, hope, and victory found in Jesus Christ.

Joseph's life teaches us that promotion is not merely receiving a higher position; it is becoming the kind of person who can faithfully carry greater responsibility. Before God entrusts His servants with influence, He often develops their character through hardship.

The pit was not Joseph's destination.
The prison was not Joseph's destiny.
Both were classrooms where God prepared him for the palace.

May we remember that when we cannot understand our circumstances, we can still trust the One who is writing our story. If we remain faithful, God can use even the darkest chapters of our lives to accomplish His purposes and bless others.

For the God who prepared Joseph is the same God who continues to prepare His servants today.

Pastor Kevin L.A Ewing
www.kevinlaewing.com
www.kevinlaewing.blogspot.com
ewinglakevin@icloud.com