New Page 2

Presented, April 9, 2006 am

WHAT WISHING WILL NOT DO

Most of us have used the expression, “I wish…” at sometime in the past. Some of us may live our lives wishing for this or that. The word is defined, “a desire, longing or strong inclination for a special thing.” (American Heritage Dictionary, Online edition, © 2000) It is sometimes used as a polite substitute for the word want – for example, “Do you wish to join us for dinner?” And that pretty much describes the word.

But at other times it is used in a fanciful way to describe that which we want but right now it is out of our reach. For example, the three wishes granted by the fictitious genie deep down describes 3 things that you want more than anything else in the world. To dwell on such things is not healthy.

Wishing is not wrong, but it is something that we need to understand from a Biblical viewpoint. Proper wishing can even serve as a motivator in our lives. So today, we want to examine what the New Testament says about wishing. First we will notice some passages that use the word, and then we will notice some things wishing will NOT do.

I. Wising in the Bible

There are a number of passages in the New Testament that use the word and give us an understanding of its proper use.

a. In Romans 9:3 Paul wishes he could take the place of his accursed brethren. This verse gives us a glimpse into the idea. Paul was VERY concerned about the condemnation of his brethren in the flesh. Essentially, he was saying, “IF there is anything I can do to change their state I will do it.” But, sadly Paul realizes there is NOTHING he can do to change their state.
He made a similar statement in Acts 26:29 before Agrippa. Remember how the king says, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Paul’s answer was, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” Paul didn’t want ANYONE to be lost and it motivated him.

b. 2 Corinthians 13:9 says, “…And this we pray, that you may be made complete.” Pray is the same word for wish in Romans 9:3. The KJV says, “and this also we wish, even your perfection.”
NOTICE how this word is associated with prayer (The expression, “Now I pray to God…” in 2 Cor. 13:7 leaves that implication – again, it is the same word in the original language).

c. James 5:16, we are commanded to confess our trespasses to one another and “pray for” one another. Again the same word is used. Understanding the word that is used, it is obvious that wishing is more than mere want, but in prayer, it implies earnestness and a sincere desire for its fulfillment.

d. Finally, 3 John 2, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things.” Again, the KJV says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health….”

e. Thus, when we think of wishing as used in the New Testament, it is more than a fanciful dream, but a sincere desire that prompts us to turn to God both in prayer and action.

II. What Wishing Will NOT Do

We must guard against improper attitudes about wishing and fanciful dreams and thoughts. While there might be a time to sit back and ponder things, that should NOT be our driving force. Because wishing alone will NOT accomplish anything. And with that in mind, we want to notice some things that wishing will NOT do. Wishing will NOT:

a. Convert the World.

1. How many of us would love for the world to stop acting so sinful and rebellious and just get on its knees and start obeying God? I am certain everyone here has that desire. It was Paul’s wish in Romans 9:3 and Acts 26:29 above.
What about some specific person that we really care about? What about our family members that are lost? We wish that they would change and obey the gospel. But wishing that the world be converted to God will NOT make it so.

2. But while that may be true, it does NOT mean that we can and should do nothing. Instead of wishing for the world to change, set out to do your part to change it.

3. While wishing will not change the world, teaching will.
God is counting on us to take His message to others. Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and teach” or “make disciples of all nations”
Following the example of Philip in Acts 8 will change people – 8:5, Philip preached in Samaria. 8:35-39 – he taught the Ethiopian eunuch by opening the scriptures.
Even Jesus, taught over and over. John 4 records his conversation with the Samaritan woman which led to her and many in that village believing in Him.
He also frequently taught about sowing the seed of the kingdom of heaven. Note how in Matthew 13:18 refers to it as “the parable of the sower”, not the parable of the seed.

4. IF we want the world to be converted, we have to step up and do our part. Wishing it so, will not make it happen. And while we may not be able to convert the whole world, we can have a great impact on our little part of it.

5. BTW, we have an upcoming gospel meeting. Will we do our part to introduce the gospel to others, or simply wish for success based upon what everyone else is doing?

b. Supply answers to our questions

1. All of us would love to know more of God’s word: At least I wish that to be the case. So many young converts become frustrated and overwhelmed as they begin studying God’s word. And even among the mature, they wish they knew more. May we NEVER reach a point where we think we know it all!

2. But wishing we knew more will not make it so. Most of us have heard of Homer Hailey. He was well known for his depth of knowledge in God’s word, especially the Old Testament prophets. He could quote chapters at a time and give their meaning with ease. He was VERY knowledgeable (and even with that knowledge he did not know everything – in fact, he taught error in some areas.)
A number of years ago, I heard of a lady who having heard him said, “I would give my life to know as much as you do.” Homer Hailey answered, “That’s what it will take.” His knowledge did NOT come by wishing it so and neither will ours.

3. But, we CAN find answers to our questions: Not by wishing, but by studying.
2 Timothy 2:15 – Give diligence to present yourself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Peter 3:15 – Be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you.
1 Timothy 4:15-16, Paul’s instructions to young Timothy – meditate on the word, take heed to yourself and the doctrine, and give yourself entirely to it.

4. That is not wishing answers, that is FINDING them.

c. Remove our problems –

1. We all have problems that we face in this life. And I am sure that we wish they would go away. Many try to hide from their problems and pretend they are not there. We know of those who abuse alcohol to run away from their troubled reality. I recently heard of a woman who would throw away her bills when they came in so that she would not have to face them. She wanted her money problems to vanish.

2. But wishing your problems gone will not remove them. In fact, this is a dangerous thing, as what usually what happens is they grow worse the longer we ignore them.
David is a prime example of this. His adultery with Bathsheba led to murder and a number of other sins. He tried to hide his problems, but they got worse.
That is true with financial problems, addictions, problems with our families and brethren, spiritual problems, etc. Very rarely do problems like these work themselves out.

3. We need to address whatever problems we are facing in this life.
Revelation 3:19 tells us, “Be zealous and repent.” The idea of repentance is make right what is wrong in your life.
Usually, where there is a problem, there is a biblical solution. We simply need to look for the answers and THEN APPLY THEM.

d. Restore an erring child of God

1. When a brother in Christ wanders away from God it hurts. AT least it ought to hurt. This is even more true when that erring child is your own flesh and blood. God’s word is very specific about how to deal with brethren given over to sin.

2. But wishing that they would change will NOT change their condition.

3. However, there are things we CAN do.
We can pray for them – Romans 10:1, etc.
We can and need to admonish them – 2 Thessalonians 3:15. Matthew 18:15 tells us that going to him is the first step.
James 5:19-20 tells us that if we can turn them back we will save a soul from death.

e. Take away our sins

1. While we all want our sins to be forgiven, there are many who wish that God will forgive their sins even though they do not want to obey Him. There are some who want Him to overlook certain sins in their lives. Still others expect Him to make them the exception, in spite of truth.

2. But wishing your sins away will NOT make it so. In fact, if God customizes His standard for different people than the standard is meaningless.

3. There is only ONE way to have your sins removed: Obedience. Hebrews 5:8-9
IF you are not a Christian – ONLY obeying the plan of salvation will remove your sins – Acts 2:38
IF as a Christian, you are guilty of sin – ONLY true repentance and prayer will remove your sins – 1 John 1:9, Acts 8:22, etc.

Yes, wishing can be a good thing, but wishing alone will NOT accomplish anything. May all that we wish for become fact AS WE do all that we can to achieve God’s desires in our lives. What does wishing do for you?

(source of outline NOT original)