We apprehend the physical world by exercising the faculties given us for that purpose, and we possess spiritual faculties by means of which we can know God and the spiritual world if we will obey the Spirit’s urge and begin to use them…. pg 57
This eternal world will come alive to us the moment we begin to reckon upon its reality.
What do I mean by reality? I mean that which has existence apart from any idea any mind may have of it, and would exist if there were no mind anywhere to entertain a thought of it. That which is real has being in itself. It does not depend upon the observer for its validity. pg 58
[To] reckon. This does not mean to visualize or imagine. Imagination is not faith. The two are not only different from, but stand in sharp opposition to, each other. Imagination projects unreal images out of the mind and seeks to attach reality to them. Faith creates nothing;it simply reckons upon that which is already there.
pg 61
Discussion
1. God and the Spiritual World Are Real Regardless of Our Awareness
Pgs. 58, 60, 63
Main Thought: God’s presence does not depend upon our awareness; He is present even when we fail to notice Him.
Tozer explains that reality exists independently of our thoughts or perceptions. The spiritual world is present now, rather than something we will encounter only after death. We must begin to reckon upon its reality in our ordinary lives.
What is the difference between believing that God exists and living with an awareness that He is present?
Tozer warns against pushing the spiritual world into the future (Pg. 63). Do we tend to think of God primarily in connection with heaven rather than our daily lives? What does that cause us to overlook?
Acts 17:27 says that God is “not far from every one of us.” How might that truth change the way you approach work, family responsibilities, or difficult conversations?
Where have you noticed God’s goodness, provision, or correction during the past week? Did you recognize it at the time or only afterward?
What ordinary moments could become reminders to turn your attention toward God?
2. Faith Recognizes What Already Exists
Pgs. 58, 61
Main Thought: Faith creates nothing; it reckons upon the reality of God and responds to what is already true.
Tozer distinguishes faith from imagination. Imagination projects images from the mind, while faith recognizes what already exists. Our difficulty is that we may affirm the existence of the spiritual world without treating it as real in the way we treat the physical world.
What is the difference between trusting that God is present and feeling that God is present?
Tozer says, “Faith creates nothing; it simply reckons upon that which is already there” (Pg. 61). What would it mean to reckon upon God’s presence during a stressful or uncertain situation?
When you do not feel close to God, what truths from Scripture can you still rely upon?
How can we distinguish recognizing God’s work from attaching spiritual meaning to something simply because we want it to be true?
Romans 10:17 connects faith with hearing God’s Word. How can reading Scripture train us to recognize God’s character and work in everyday life?
3. Sin Clouds Our Perception of God
Pg. 62
Main Thought: Sin clouds the heart, and the visible can consume our attention until we overlook the eternal.
Tozer describes sin as clouding the lenses of our hearts. The immediate demands and attractions of the physical world can dominate our attention. Growing in awareness of God involves examining what captures our hearts and responding to His correction.
What most often captures your attention so completely that you stop considering God?
How do pride, resentment, worry, or an unwillingness to obey affect your awareness of Him?
Tozer says, “The world of sense triumphs” (Pg. 62). When have immediate feelings or visible circumstances carried more weight with you than what God has revealed?
Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” How does the condition of our hearts affect our spiritual perception?
How can we enjoy the physical world as God’s creation while keeping it from consuming our hearts?
Is there something God has already shown you that you are resisting? How might responding in obedience change your fellowship with Him?
4. We Must Exercise Our Spiritual Faculties and Actively Seek God
Pgs. 57, 62–63
Main Thought: We grow in spiritual perception as we seek God, attend to His Word, and obey Him.
Tozer explains that we exercise our physical faculties to apprehend the physical world and must also exercise our spiritual faculties to know God. He urges us to break the habit of ignoring the spiritual and shift our interest toward God. This calls for deliberate attention and practice in daily life.
What would it look like to seek God deliberately throughout an ordinary day?
Your questions on Pg. 62 ask: “Am I seeking? Am I listening? Am I feeling out the presence of God? Can I taste the goodness of God in my life?” Which question most challenges you, and why?
When you read Scripture, do you primarily gather information, or do you also respond to what God reveals about Himself?
Hebrews 5:14 describes senses “exercised to discern both good and evil.” How does repeated obedience help develop spiritual discernment?
John 14:21 connects loving Christ with keeping His commandments. How might obeying something you already understand help you become more attentive to Him?
What one habit could you practice this week to become more aware of God—pausing for prayer, meditating on Scripture, expressing gratitude, examining your heart, or acting upon a known duty?