Receive and Be Receptive: Take Hold of the Good, Discern What Not to Accept

To receive is to take hold of what is freely given; to be receptive is to keep the heart open to God's ongoing work. The Christian life calls us to come with open hands and an open heart, ready to take hold of every good thing God desires to give. Yet receptivity is not the same as passivity or gullibility. We are also called to discern wisely, guarding our hearts and refusing to accept what is false, harmful, or contrary to God's Word. From the first moment of salvation to daily guidance and growth, we learn both to receive and to reject.

Receiving Salvation and the Holy Spirit

Someone must give before another can receive. God gave His Son for us while we were still separated from Him (Jn 3:16). "To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God" (Jn 1:12). Unless a person embraces the Kingdom of God as a child does—in complete trust, simplicity and purity—they will not enter it (Mk 10:15). A person is a fool if they refuse something of immense value that they cannot attain by their own effort, especially when this affects where they will spend eternity. God does not want anybody to be lost but desires all to receive salvation (1 Thes 5:9; 1 Tim 2:4).

Four types of heart response to the gospel message are outlined in the parable of the sower, with the outcome dependent on the receptivity of the "soil" or heart condition (Mt 13:3-23). One soil is totally hard and inhospitable, so the seed is wasted. The next two soils are receptive at first, but troubles and the lure of the world cause them to fall away. The fourth heart attitude fully embraces the message, makes it top priority, lives out its message and becomes mature and fruitful. Which type of soil portrays my life?

From the vastness of His grace we all have, and continue to receive, one blessing after another (Jn 1:16; Eph 5:20). Do I thank Him for these and do I utilize them fully for His glory? "Freely you have received, freely give" (Mt 10:8). What we are called to sacrifice for the Kingdom will be made up to us by God, and we will receive more than if we had clutched tightly and not invested in the Kingdom of God (1 Sam 2:30; Mt 6:19-21, 33, 16:24-27, 19:29; Lk 6:38). Be a channel that gratefully receives from God and generously gives to others, understanding it is more blessed to give than receive, and doing good "as unto Christ" will not go unrewarded. Work diligently knowing that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward (Mt 10:40-42, 25:34-46; Act 20:35; Col 3:24). What an incentive to pray and make our requests known.

Holy Spirit, I receive more of You

"For everyone who asks receives…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him" (Lk 11:10-13). Every believer has the Holy Spirit in a measure when they receive Christ at salvation (Act 2:38; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 6:19, 12:13; 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13). However, there are ongoing opportunities to be the recipients of increasing fillings and encounters. The Bible says, "Be filled with the Spirit" (Eph 5:18). This is a continuing requirement because, living in a sin-polluted world with our inherent fallen natures, the Spirit's influence is constantly under attack, being eroded and needing replenishment. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they will be filled" (Mt 5:6). As you receive ongoing in-fillings of the Holy Spirit you will receive increasing power to live the Christian life and be witnesses for Him (Jn 20:22; Act 1:8). To receive more of the Holy Spirit it is our responsibility to deal with and remove, with the Lord's help, the sinful contamination within.

Receiving God's Word and Guidance

As people came to Him they received from Jesus the cure to their ailments (Lk 7:22, 18:42). Nothing is attained except by faith, so when praying ask in believing faith and you will receive (Mt 21:22). Do I come to Jesus in faith, believing I will receive that for which I ask? What we receive from God is always good—even discipline is beneficial in the long term (Mt 7:7-11; Rom 8:15,28-29; Heb 12:10-11).

Because we are broken, sinful and often self-deluded, our constant need is for God's guidance through the Scriptures which have the power to reveal, challenge, restore and heal. Remain receptive and responsive as you pray, "What says my Lord unto His servant?...Speak Lord, for your servant hears…Be it unto me according to your Word" (Josh 5:14; 1 Sam 3:10; Lk 1:38).

Am I thirsty for more of God?

Jesus said as His sheep we will hear His voice (Jn 10:27). Remember if it is from God it will reflect His nature of love and righteousness. He will never tell us to do anything ungodly, evil, immoral or inconsistent with the Bible. "Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things in your Word...by your Words I am warned…The entrance of your Word gives light" (Ps 19:11, 119:18,130). As we know the truth and obey by "doing what it says" we will come into increasing freedom (Mt 7:21,24-27; Jn 8:32, 10:10; Jas 1:22).

Do not be gullible and take on board all you hear or read; we should test all the teaching we receive to ensure it is consistent with the Word of God as there are many false doctrines and customs which in fact are heresy (Act 17:11; 1 Jn 4:1). Other tests to clarify the genuineness of a teacher's message include a "witness" in our spirits, their lifestyle, and the fruit of their ministry besides their commitment to the wider body of believers.

Discerning What to Receive and What to Reject

An open heart is not an undiscerning heart. We can stretch out our hands to receive God's gifts while keeping a guarded heart that filters out what does not belong. Just as a healthy body absorbs nourishment and rejects poison, so the believer welcomes what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, and turns away from what would defile or deceive (Phil 4:8; 1 Thes 5:21-22). Having open hands and heart means we are free to take hold of the good because we know what we must not accept.

Particularly during our formative early childhood days, we receive into our spirits the words of the authority figures in our lives. Negative, critical "you are no good" statements wound the inner being, inflicting immeasurable damage on the impressionable memory, and have a strong influence on our future. Inner healing must take place to counteract and break this destructive power. When something hurtful and destructive is said belittling our character or actions we can say, "I don't receive that". However, when an uplifting blessing is spoken we can say, "I receive that" and so control what we accept into our spirits and what we reject, for we are told to "Guard your heart more than any treasure for it governs your whole life" (Prov 4:23).

I choose what to accept and what to reject

There is always room for improvement, so welcome advice and the perspective of others; evaluate it and accept what you believe is right. Do not be content with your present relationship with Christ, for there are always higher levels if we are willing to pay the price to receive (Phil 3:7-14). In the next life, everyone—saved and unsaved—will receive or be compensated for their actions while in this life (Rom 14:12; 2 Cor 5:10).

Reflection and Application:

Which type of soil in the parable of the sower best represents your heart today, and what step can you take to become more receptive?
Thank God for one blessing you have already received, and ask Him for one area where you need a fresh filling of His Spirit.
What hurtful word or influence do you need to say, "I don't receive that" to, and what godly word can you choose to receive instead?
How will you test the teaching you hear this week against the truth of Scripture?