Breaking Free From Conventional Wisdom to Prosper in God

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

If you truly desire to prosper in life, you will never do it if you’re living by conventional wisdom. One must seek God’s wisdom to truly live in prosperity.

Introduction

At the highest level of faith, one lives unburdened, in serenity, and true prosperity.  Sadly, many of us never reach for that level of faith because we have limited ourselves to the limitations of what “can” be done or what “can” be gained in the world.  To truly prosper and live in serenity, we must break free from what is restraining us.  

Living in a Box

What do you think of when you think of “prosperity”?  Prosperity is defined as the condition of being successful or thriving. 

With that answer in mind, I wonder, what is “success” to you?  You see, success could be subjective because what I consider to be success might not be your idea of success.

Now, conventional wisdom tells us that “success” is what we gain, what we achieve.  So, for many people, their success is defined by the gaining of wealth, riches, and possessions.  One is thriving when they are “doing well”, monetarily, having no worries, and living stress-free.

Many of us have chosen to live by conventional wisdom to live a life of prosperity.  As conventional wisdom told us to do, we did.  We went to school and got an education.  We took that education, found a 9 to 5 or started up a business.  

We are supposed to be living in prosperity because we followed conventional wisdom, yet many of us are struggling today.  Now, conventional wisdom tells us that there is more we need to do to prosper.  We have to have this kind of cert or that kind of cert so that we can land a better 9 to 5.  We have to market this kind of way or that kind of way so that our business can be seen in order to grow.

In this box of conventional wisdom, prosperity and success always seem to be out of reach for many of us.  This has left many of us feeling unaccomplished, unhappy, and unsatisfied because we aren’t “prospering”.  Yet, I tell you today that if you want to truly live in prosperity, you must break free from the box of conventional wisdom.

A Sorcerer’s Search for Prosperity

I want to share the story of Simon the Sorcerer with you today.  The reason why I want to share Simon’s story is because he was a man seeking to level up in his life.

In Acts 8:9-10, we’re told that Simon was a man who once practiced his sorcery (magic) in the city of Samaria.  Simon used to dazzle and astonish the people with his tricks, and the people would praise him.  The people said of Simon that he was the “great power of God”.  

Now, imagine how that must have made Simon feel.  As we see today, certain men love to be praised and glorified.  Certain men feel like they have achieved when they are praised and glorified – it makes them feel accomplished.  Simon likely felt like a great success.

Yet, the implication was that he was no longer a man of great fame as he formerly practiced his magic.  So, what happened?  Why did he stop?  

We’re told in Acts 8:5-8 that Philip, an apostle of Christ, came to the city of Samaria preaching the gospel.  Not only did Philip preach the gospel, but we’re also told that Philip healed those who were demon possessed and that he also healed the lame.  So the people heeded Philip, coming to him, to receive the gospel and be healed, not by magic, but by the Holy Spirit.  Simon was a witness to these things, and Acts 8:13 shows us that he also believed and was amazed.

When Peter and John came to the city of Samaria, Acts 8:14-17, they came to lay hands on those who believed so that they would receive the Holy Spirit.  Acts 8:18 tells us Simon, again, was a witness to seeing the people receive the Holy Spirit and be transformed.  Simon was so amazed by this that we’re told that Simon offered money to the apostles, saying, “Give me this power also” (Acts 8:19).  

Now, let’s think this over for a moment.  Simon “believed”, but for what reason did he believe?  Simon was drawn to the “power” of the apostles, the things that they were able to do.  Simon realized that the magic he worked in was nothing compared to the power of the apostles.  So, to him, the power of the apostles was an opportunity!

What was the opportunity?  Simon sought to regain his success and fame through the power of the apostles.  The power of the apostles was an opportunity for him to level up and be great again.  So, Simon “believed” for a conventional and selfish reason.

Why Do You Believe

Simon’s story reminds us of what faith actually is.  You see, many people will say they believe one thing, but we often see them go out and do another thing that differs from what they say.  You see, faith brings to life what one truly believes in their heart as faith is seen in one’s actions.  

Simon believed, but what he believed in is made clear through his actions.  Simon’s faith is shown to be in the prosperity of conventional wisdom.  Simon saw God’s power as a means to prosper in the world.

This raises the question:  Why do you believe in and seek God’s power?  Do you seek to gain power?  Do you seek to prosper?  Now, the Lord will help you to gain power and to prosper, but you must understand what prosperity is to God.

What Is True Prosperity

When I say that you must understand what prosperity is to God, I want you to understand that God’s idea of prosperity is drastically different from conventional wisdom.

When Jesus spoke about prosperity, or being blessed, Jesus spoke of one inheriting the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:3).  To inherit the kingdom of heaven, Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be born again (John 3:3).

When Jesus spoke about prosperity, He spoke of one being comforted when they mourn (Matt. 5:4).  Jesus said that prosperity is seen when one is filled when they hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6).  Jesus said that one lives in prosperity when they obtain mercy (Matt. 5:7).

Let’s be very clear about this: Jesus’ teaching about prosperity has absolutely nothing to do with gaining wealth and power in the world.  Jesus’ teaching about prosperity has absolutely nothing to do with what conventional wisdom speaks of!  Jesus’ prosperity is all about spiritual prosperity— prosperity of the soul!

You see, God’s prosperity is all about the uplifting of the soul, rather than the uplifting of your bank account.  God’s prosperity is about the condition of your heart rather than the vanity of your status on earth!  God’s thoughts towards us are about the long-lasting, not the temporary!

Limited by Conventional Wisdom

Jesus’ teachings show us just how limited we are by living according to conventional wisdom.  I don’t think many of us realize that we limit our freedom by living as slaves to conventional wisdom.

Conventional wisdom dictates to us what success (our blessing) is.  Therefore, conventional wisdom controls our dreams, our hopes, and our desires!  Conventional wisdom controls what we do and how we live!  Even more, conventional wisdom controls what makes us happy!  In every facet of our life, the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, we let conventional wisdom have control!

As slaves to conventional wisdom, many of us have lost our identity, not knowing who we are and not having a voice!  We limit and some even sacrifice love, happiness, and even their souls, trying to live in the box of conventional wisdom!  

If you are living in such a manner today, I want you to know that Jesus lived and preached so that you don’t have to live in such a box!  Jesus gave His life so that you can think outside of that box and go beyond it!  Jesus did all of that so that His peace will dwell in you and so that you will overcome and truly prosper (John 16:33)!

How to Break Free and Truly Prosper

So, how does one break free from conventional wisdom to truly prosper?  In Acts 8:20-21, Peter had some words of rebuke to share with Simon.  You see, Simon didn’t realize the wonderful opportunity that was before him as he was too limited in his mindset to see it.

Consider what’s in your heart

Peter said to the sorcerer, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!”  The problem appears to be that Simon offered money to purchase God’s gift, but that’s not necessarily the real problem here.  If that was the sole problem, Peter would have simply told Simon that God’s gift isn’t for sale because it is free to those who truly believe.

Peter pointed to the problem being Simon’s heart.  Peter said to him, “You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.”  

You see, the real problem was what was behind Simon’s offer of money.  Again, Simon wanted power for a selfish reason as he sought to lift himself up!  John 15:7-8 tells us that God will give us the desires of our hearts when we seek to glorify Him and not ourselves!  With that in mind, we must, again, consider what’s really in our heart and what we are truly seeking from the Lord.

A change of heart is required

For us to break free to have a part and a portion in God’s prosperity, a change of heart is required.  

Peter called on Simon to repent and to pray that perhaps God would forgive the thought of his heart.  The working of the Holy Spirit, in our heart and soul, is to transform and renew it.  Without turning to the Holy Spirit, we won’t ever break free from conventional wisdom.

In his rebuke, Peter pointed out to Simon that his heart was poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.  Conventional wisdom, I want you to understand, is a poison for the soul as it fills the soul up with covetousness, jealousy, and selfishness.  These are fruits of the flesh, which aren’t beneficial for anything or anyone.  

Consume what is doctrinal rather than false wisdom

After repentance and prayer, one must commit oneself not to live by conventional wisdom, but rather, to consume God’s wisdom.  This, to me, is an incredibly important point that must be made because today, there are several types of “gospels” in the world.  I am a doctrinal preacher, where what I minister and share with you is found in the sound doctrine of God.  If you see a prosperity message that is about gaining the world, I am not the preacher for you!

In 1 Timothy 6:20, Paul told Timothy to avoid profane and idle babbling.  Paul instructed Timothy to avoid what is falsely called knowledge.  Again, I feel that this is such an important statement because there is so much of this going around in the world.  

The truth is constantly under attack today by those who seek control or by those who believe that only they know the truth.  Even what is holy and righteous is under attack the same attack by those who seek to control and prosper in the world.  As the truth slowly fades away from this society, we find that many are losing hope and giving up.  

In 2 Peter 2:18, Peter warned by instructing us to avoid those who speak great swelling words of emptiness.  Peter advised us to avoid those who allure through the lusts of the flesh!  Again, turn away from that which does not prosper the soul and consume that which does prosper the soul!

Choose wisely

Proverbs 4:14-15 tells us not to enter the path of the wicked!  We are instructed not to walk in the way of evil, but to avoid it and pass on! 

In the end, breaking free from the box of conventional wisdom to take part in God’s prosperity comes down to what you choose to do.  Will you continue to choose to be unsatisfied and unhappy, trying to live according to the world’s wisdom?  Or will you choose to live free from the world and its wisdom so that you can truly prosper?

Many are blatantly choosing to live under the illusion of prosperity, but I want the real deal!  I hope that you want the real deal as well!  So, if you truly want to prosper, to level up, and to live in serenity, there is only one way to do it.  The only way to do it is by giving your heart to the Lord.  Let the Lord lead and guide you, and in your obedience, you will prosper and live in serenity.