Individual believers often say that they are 'Claiming a promise from the Lord' or 'Holding onto a promise that God has given to them.' This makes some Christians uncomfortable, as experience has shown them that there is a lot of misuse in this area. The oft-quoted example is of someone opening the Bible and placing his or her finger on a verse. They will do this until they find something they like, and claim this as a promise! (Although a caricature, there is definitely an element of truth in there!).

It is vital that we approach the Word with an honest and totally open mind. If we are reading the Bible simply to get confirmation on that which we have already made our minds up on, then that is nothing more than trying to manipulate God to rubber stamp his approval on our decision making.

There are general promises and specific promises in Scripture. General ones are for all believers, for example: 1 John 1: 9, 'If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.' This was originally written with no specific person in mind, and its content is endorsed as general by the rest of the teachings of the Bible.

Specific promises are ones given to particular people at a particular time. In Genesis 12: 1 God spoke to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.' It is possible that the Lord may use this verse in revealing his will to us on a particular issue, but it is not a general promise to all believers.

Promises need to be looked at first and foremost in context. And whilst there is room for development, things must be kept in balance with the teaching of Scripture. Isaiah 30: 21 tells us, 'Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, This is the way, walk in it.' This is claimed by some Christians (usually when they have a dispute with Church leadership!) that they are not subject to the authority of man but they are directly accountable to God. However, taking this verse in context (30: 20) it becomes clear that it is not God that is the directing influence, but your teachers!

Many believers stumble at the point that a promise was not fulfilled, sometimes even blaming God! That is not a serious option, if it was, then none of us could really trust the Lord. 'God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?' (Numbers 23: 19)

There are various explanations for unfulfilled promises. Firstly, we got it wrong! This is hard for many believers to accept, and pride refuses them to go down this road. Secondly, that the promise may be brought about at a later time, and maybe in a way that we are not expecting. We also have to look at the possibility of conditional promises, and the fact that we haven't met the terms and conditions!