TLDR;
Derek Prince explains how to effectively "hear" God's Word to receive its intended benefits, particularly faith and health. He outlines four key instructions from Proverbs 4 for internalising God's word: giving undivided attention, inclining one's ear with humility, maintaining focus, and keeping the words in one's heart. The goal is to allow God's word to penetrate the core of your being, influencing the course of your life.
- Faith comes by hearing God's Word.
- God's Word provides health/medicine for the physical body.
- Four instructions for taking God's Word as medicine: give attention, incline your ear, do not let them depart from your eyes, keep them in the midst of your heart.
Introduction: The Power of God's Word [0:00]
Derek Prince revisits the transformative effects of God's Word, focusing on faith and health. He emphasises that faith is acquired through hearing God's Word and that God's Word is intended to provide health for our physical bodies. He references Proverbs 4 as a key passage for understanding how to truly "hear" God's Word and receive its benefits.
Four Instructions for "Hearing" God's Word as Medicine [1:01]
Prince shares his personal experience of using Proverbs 4 as medicine during a hospital stay. Inspired by the idea that medicine comes with instructions, he identifies four directives for effectively internalising God's Word: give attention to God's words, incline your ear to God's sayings, do not let them depart from your eyes, and keep them in the midst of your heart. These instructions are crucial for anyone seeking healing or faith.
Give Attention: Undivided Focus on God's Word [3:26]
The first instruction involves giving your total, undivided attention to God's Word, avoiding distractions and external influences. It's about recognising that God is speaking directly to you and that it's worthwhile to listen attentively to what He has to say.
Incline Your Ear: Humility and Teachability [3:58]
The second instruction, "incline your ear," signifies an attitude of humility and a willingness to be taught. Prince shares his personal struggle with preconceptions about Christianity and how he had to learn to let God teach him, rather than filtering the Word through his own expectations. Overcoming preconceived notions and being open to learning are essential for truly hearing God's Word.
Do Not Let Them Depart From Your Eyes: Maintaining Focus [7:07]
The third instruction emphasises focus, urging listeners to concentrate on God's Word without being distracted by contradictory influences. Drawing on educational principles, Prince highlights the importance of both the "ear gate" and the "eye gate" in receiving and retaining information, noting that God's wisdom predates modern teaching psychology.
Keep Them in the Midst of Your Heart: The Core of Transformation [8:27]
The final instruction focuses on internalising God's Word, embedding it in the heart, the centre of human personality. Prince quotes Proverbs 4:23, stressing that the heart determines the course of one's life. He underscores the importance of guarding the heart and filling it with the right things, as the heart is the source of all life.
Conclusion: Hearing for Faith and Life [9:37]
Prince reiterates that the purpose of these instructions is to guide individuals in getting God's Word into their hearts through focused attention, humility, and teachability. This process of "hearing" is how faith is cultivated, whether for dealing with sickness or any other life challenge. Proverbs 4 provides a roadmap for acquiring the faith needed to overcome obstacles and live a life guided by God's Word.