Chapter 8: Understanding God’s Word

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I first stumbled across an important observation on the relationship between spirituality and truth in the book titled The Magic of Believing5 by Claude M. Bristol Pocket Books, 1948. In the book is a short quote that got my attention 2-3 decades ago. It came from an author known as Paracelsus.

“Men who are devoid of the power of spiritual perception are unable to recognize anything that cannot be seen externally.” Paracelsus

Over the years I have observed the reality of Paracelsus’ observation. There is a physical reality that exists which is easily detectable by our physical senses of sight, touch, hearing, etc. However, there is a different reality that is only perceptible to people who have the power of spiritual

perception. I can tell you that the full truth of any given situation is not understandable by people without spiritual perception. In essence, they only get part of the picture. The entire picture of any given situation is composed of the physical plus the spiritual. The spiritual in this sense is from God.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

In times of great stress from my limited physical observations, I have to remind myself that God’s reality is very different than what I can sense physically. That God’s understanding is higher than mine and the only way

to fully grasp the situation is to engage my spirit and connect it to His. I have become pretty adept at this and most of the time I can now see two sets of reality in front of me. One reality is what the world sees and is limited by all of our physical senses. The other reality contains spiritual insights and

includes many options and alternative outcomes from God.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Without God’s Help, You’ll Never Fully Understand!