During some good conversations lately, I had a thought that is worth praying about. I was conversing with someone about how people today are so stuck on their own education and how godless society has become the more emphasis is put on education. I was reminded about how just a few generations ago some of our grandparents and great grandparents did good to make it through grade school and yet house doors were rarely locked, children played in yards unsupervised, and picking up a hitch hiker or stopping to help change a tire were viewed as safe.
This contradicts today when man’s knowledge wants to explain away the existence of God and put their faith in their own knowledge instead. Even churches and pastors have become caught up in seeking “scholarly” knowledge of God versus letting God teach us about himself (see 1 John 2:27 below).
Is there a direct correlation between the rise of “knowledge” and decay of society? I’m not sure but, I do know that the original sin was for the lust of knowledge. Genesis 3
My one observation is that when we rely on that knowledge and what we think we “know” versus relying on God that knowledge has become an idol.
“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;” 1 Corinthians 1:20-27
“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” 1 John 2:27
“Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say,
“He traps the wise
in the snare of their own cleverness.”
And again,
“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise;
he knows they are worthless.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-20
“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” Colossians 2:8
“Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:20-21
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not speaking against education and the good things that it can bring. I’m simply saying that I think many of us need to pray and re-center our perspective on God.
Sovereign God, I bow my heart before you and ask forgiveness for trusting my own knowledge at times and not seeking You. Help me along with my brothers and sisters to see You despite what human wisdom and education tell us. Show us Yourself in mighty and powerful ways even if they contradict all that we think we know. Many of us are waiting for a miracle from You. We are waiting as little children believing and trusting in You despite what the world says. Show us Your faithfulness and Your majesty, glory, and splendor. God, we ask that You would show the world not only that You exist but that You reign on high and that Your Kingdom is forever. Your word says that You will do great and wondrous things through Your children, even greater than the miracles that Jesus did while He was with us (John 14:12-14). Work in our midst and through us and show us Yourself and prove foolish the things of this world.
Lord bless us and keep us. Shine Your glorious face upon us, and be gracious to us. God of hope, lift up Your countenance upon us, show us Your favor, give us Your peace, and fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Christ’s name we pray; AMEN!
This Narrow Path... 