2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perishyet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light afflictionwhich is but for a momentworketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seenbut at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

1.)A lot of times the tendency is that people put all their attention and focus on what's happening in this physical realm. It's interesting that he tells us not to focus on this physical realmafter all that's where the problem is. Butnotice there is another realm and he tells us to put our focus on that realm and not this one. Becausehe has understanding about something. Jesus said something in Matthew 7:17,18: 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruitneither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Noticehe makes a distinction between the tree and the fruit of the tree. According to the condition of the tree will be the condition of the fruit. Sothe fruit is only a representation or manifestation of the root. Sowhat happens underground(unseen) determines what you see above ground(seen). Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of Godso that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Sowhat you do see was made from things you can't see. The physical/ material realm is a product of the spirit realm. That's why he tells us not to put our focus on what's seenbecause what you can see is only the product or manifestation of something you can't see.

2.)For something to be done physically something first has to be done spiritually. Just a small example: all of you that read this articleyou logged into your computeryou choose Free Republic Websiteand this article. All that took place in the inner man(spirit) and without those things taking place spiritually you would not be here physically. Noticewhat Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-20: 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughtsmurdersadulteriesfornicationstheftsfalse witnessblasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. What is Jesus sayingyou can only see a man do things physically because of what is happening (spiritually) in his heart. Soagain you only see physically because of what's happening in the spiritual. Man is spirithe has a body/fleshbut man is spiritual. Soyou see on the physical level only because of what's done on a spiritual level. Your flesh is in this physical realmbut you(spirit) are in another realm. You are in the realm of those things not seen. That's important because in 1 Corinthians 1:26-28: 26 For ye see your callingbrethrenhow that not many wise men after the fleshnot many mightynot many nobleare called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the worldand things which are despisedhath God chosenyeaand things which are notto bring to nought things that are. Keep in mind you only see physically because of what's done spiritually. Soif it's not done on a spiritual level you can't see it physically. Becausethe physical realm is only a manifestation of the spiritual.

3.)RememberHebrews 11:3 the physical was made by the spiritual (God is a spirit). And Hebrews 1:3 saysWho being the brightness of his gloryand the express image of his personand upholding all things by the word of his power. Sothe physical is upheld by the spiritual. And we just saw God uses the spiritual to change the physical. Sothe spiritual is the source of this physical realm. The material world does not function on it's own it is dependent on the spiritual world. Just look at yourselfyour body(physical) can't do anything without you (spiritual). Your body will cease to function without the spirit. Without the spiritual there would be no physical. Sothe spiritual can exist without the physicalbut the physical can not exist without the spiritual. The spiritual realm is where everything originates from. God is a spiritHe made all materials so without him there would be no materials. Soeverything has spiritual rootsbecause that's where it originates from. Who made that carthat cell phonethose clothes? Man. Wellman is spiritso someone (spiritual) made that thing(physical). Soyou are only seeing physically because something was done spiritually. Becausethe physical realm is only a manifestation or fruit of the spiritual realm.

4.)In Matthew 6:31-33 Jesus said: 31 Therefore take no thoughtsayingWhat shall we eat? orWhat shall we drink? orWherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of Godand his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Noticewhat is fooddrinkand clothes physical needsbut he said don't seek physical needs. He said seek the kingdom of God which is spiritual. And what is the kingdom of God likeMark 4:26-28: 26 And he saidSo is the kingdom of Godas if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleepand rise night and dayand the seed should spring and grow uphe knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the bladethen the earafter that the full corn in the ear. And we know that the seed is the word of God. SoI have a way of receiving from God(from the spiritual) into this physical/material realm regardless of what's happening in this physical realm. Get thisthings come from the spiritual(unseen) into the physical/ material(seen) realm. Seeif you look to this physical realm to meet your need then when there's a shortage you will always be in need.

5.)Understand thisnothing originates in this material realmnothing. If you can see itfeel ittaste itor touch it then it's only fruit. And that fruit in this realm is connected to a root in the spirit realm. That's why he says not to put your focus on what's seenbecause it's only fruit. What he's saying is stop dealing with fruit and deal with the root. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faithnot by sight. If you are going to walk by faith you are going to have to see on another level than this natural realm. Notice For our light afflictionwhich is but for a momentworketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen. Sothat's seeing on a higher level. That word look means to regardconsidertake heed/ in other words what you give your attention to or focus on. Like Abraham in Genesis 17:4,5: As for mebeholdmy covenant is with theeand thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abrambut thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. Butwhen God said that in Romans 4:19 it says his body was dead. SoGod told him he was a father of many nations while his body was in a contrary condition. Butlook at what it says Abraham did-And being not weak in faithhe considered not his own body now deadwhen he was about an hundred years old.

6.)Abraham didn't consider(put his focus on) what was seenhe put his focus on the unseen(a father of many nations have I made thee). God used something that was unseen(spiritual) to get rid of something that was seen(physical). If you are going to walk by faith you are going to have to make decisions contrary to your flesh and your natural thinking.
1 Kings 17:8-16
8 And the word of the Lord came unto himsaying,

9 Ariseget thee to Zarephathwhich belongeth to Zidonand dwell there: beholdI have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the citybeholdthe widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to herand saidFetch meI pray theea little water in a vesselthat I may drink.

11 And as she was going to fetch ithe called to herand saidBring meI pray theea morsel of bread in thine hand.

12 And she saidAs the Lord thy God livethI have not a cakebut an handful of meal in a barreland a little oil in a cruse: andbeholdI am gathering two sticksthat I may go in and dress it for me and my sonthat we may eat itand die.

13 And Elijah said unto herFear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake firstand bring it unto meand after make for thee and for thy son.

14 For thus saith the Lord God of IsraelThe barrel of meal shall not wasteneither shall the cruse of oil failuntil the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and sheand heand her housedid eat many days.

16 And the barrel of meal wasted notneither did the cruse of oil failaccording to the word of the Lordwhich he spake by Elijah.

7.)Noticeshe had to make decisions totally contrary to her flesh and her natural thinking. Natural thinking would have thought this man expect me to give him my last mealhe must be crazy. Butshe couldn't go by that. When God does something in the spiritual it doesn't just manifest because it's done in the spiritual. You have to act on it. And a lot of times people get excited about a word from Godbut never act on it. You have to apply it to yourself. Butnotice something was done unseen first. And even though it may have seemed impossible according to the naturalremember you only see physically because of what's been done spiritually. Soif it has been done spiritually then it's possible to see it physically. Butyou have to do it God's way. In 2 Kings 5 there was a man named Naaman he was a captain in the Syrian army and he was a leper so the king sent him to the man of God to get healed verses 9-14:

9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariotand stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto himsayingGo and wash in Jordan seven timesand thy flesh shall come again to theeand thou shalt be clean.

11 But Naaman was wrothand went awayand saidBeholdI thoughtHe will surely come out to meand standand call on the name of the Lord his Godand strike his hand over the placeand recover the leper.

12 Are not Abana and Pharparrivers of Damascusbetter than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in themand be clean? (Nobecause it's done in the spirit that Jordon is where you have to dip) So he turned and went away in a rage.

13 And his servants came nearand spake unto himand saidMy fatherif the prophet had bid thee do some great thingwouldest thou not have done it? how much rather thenwhen he saith to theeWashand be clean?

14 Then went he downand dipped himself seven times in Jordanaccording to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little childand he was clean.

8.)Nowhow are you going to try to tell God how you have to be healed. Nowhe could have tried those other riversbut nothing would have happened. Why? Because Jordon was the set place. Just like back in 1 Kings 17:1-6:

And Elijah the Tishbitewho was of the inhabitants of Gileadsaid unto AhabAs the Lord God of Israel livethbefore whom I standthere shall not be dew nor rain these yearsbut according to my word.

2 And the word of the Lord came unto himsaying,

3 Get thee henceand turn thee eastwardand hide thyself by the brook Cheriththat is before Jordan.

4 And it shall bethat thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

5 So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cheriththat is before Jordan.

6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morningand bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

NoticeI have commanded the ravens to feed you therethat was the set place. Had he gone somewhere else he would have missed out. And I think a lot of people missed out on what God had for them because they were not at that "there place".
They thought they could go anywhere and get the results. Noyour results are waiting on you at your "there place." And it's not until you get to the place that has been set that you will see things happen. Becauseyou only see physically what has been done spiritually.

9.)What you look at is important because we speak according to what we see and you have to watch what you speak. In Romans 4:17 it says (As it is writtenI have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believedeven Godwho quickeneth the deadand calleth those things which be not as though they were. People say well that's Godyabut Ephesians 5:1 saysAMP Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example]as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. Didn't God tell Abraham to call things that be not as though they were. In Joel 3:10 didn't God tell them" Let the weak say I am strong." People don't understand it when you call things that be not as though they were they think you are denying circumstances. NoI'm simply saying what I am seeing. The thing is we're seeing on two different levels. And because they don't see something physically they think you're strange. NoI'm operating out of my spirit and you are operating out of your flesh. Noticewhat the word calls Jesus in John 1:14 And the Word was made fleshand dwelt among us(and we beheld his glorythe glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

10.)The word made fleshso if no one spoke the word he would not have shown up. He was a livingbreathing manifestation of the word. And too many people are looking for things that they haven't spoken. God gives the wordbut it has to be spoken. God works with and through his word. Titus 1:3 reads But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching. Don't let the word preaching fool youit simply means to proclaim or speak out. Why is it important that you speakbecause God has already established some things and one is Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Soyour words produce fruit another word for fruit is manifestation. And God can't break his word. In Psalm 89:34 My covenant will I not breaknor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. He's the one that established that and He can't break it. That's why He hates complainingbecause as long as you talk present circumstances He has nothing to work with to help you. He has to leave you there. That's what happened to the children of Israel in Numbers 14:1-10:

14 And all the congregation lifted up their voiceand cried; and the people wept that night.

2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto themWould God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!

3 And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this landto fall by the swordthat our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

4 And they said one to anotherLet us make a captainand let us return into Egypt.

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

6 And Joshua the son of Nunand Caleb the son of Jephunnehwhich were of them that searched the landrent their clothes:

7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of IsraelsayingThe landwhich we passed through to search itis an exceeding good land.

8 If the Lord delight in usthen he will bring us into this landand give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

9 Only rebel not ye against the Lordneither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from themand the Lord is with us: fear them not.

10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones.

NoticeGod's response in Numbers 14:27-30:

27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregationwhich murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israelwhich they murmur against me.

28 Say unto themAs truly as I livesaith the Lordas ye have spoken in mine earsso will I do to you:

29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of youaccording to your whole numberfrom twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me.

30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the landconcerning which I sware to make you dwell thereinsave Caleb the son of Jephunnehand Joshua the son of Nun.

11.)Notice(number one) everybody ate the fruit of their lips. (Number two)everybody spoke according to how they saw things. And (number three) God left them where they were because of what they spoke. Everyone got it how they saw it because they said it according to how they saw it. Soit's important how you see things. Becausehow you see it is how you will speak it. And your words produce fruit. Soyou have to be watchful of how you speak. Which means you are going to have to see higher than this natural realm. Things happen spiritually first. Sothings might not look like what God has saidbut things are working spiritually first and they manifest physically. Soyou can't go by how things look physically. That's why he said look at the things not seen(spiritual). Soeven though things seem one way in this physical/seen realm things are working in the unseen realm. And if you don't give up the unseen thing will come into the seen realm. Sodon't just put up with things you have access to another realm to produce different fruit. You seethe word must be appliedacted on. Until then it's just words to you. It must be applied firstfirst action then manifestationbut action is first. Butit first starts with how you see things. Sohow do you see itby the natural or by God's word. See it as the word says it not your eyes. NoticePaul said this realm is temporal (changeable)but the spirit realm is eternal (everlasting). The physical real changes the spiritual realm doesn't.