ARE WE WASTING TOO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT ON THE SCRIPTURES?

ARE WE WASTING TOO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT ON THE SCRIPTURES?

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https://mannsword.blogspot.com/2019/09/are-we-wasting-too-much-time-and-effort.html

Should we instead be out in the world loving others? For one thing, meditating on the Word day and night is something that we are commanded to do (Psalm 1:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Joshua 1:7-8; Jeremiah 17:5-7). For another thing, we require instruction on how to love. Consequently, Paul prayed:

∑       …asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9-10 ESV)

It is Scriptural understanding and wisdom that enable us to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.” However, the role of the Scriptures goes far deeper, exposing our corrupt motives. This is necessary because, if they are not exposed, even spiritual “success” seems to inevitably lead to self-righteousness, and this corrupts everything. Consequently, Jesus exposed the self-righteousness of the religious leadership:

∑       They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:5-12)

We naturally love praise, adoration, and the honorific titles they confer. On some level, I always knew that I craved the approval and recognition of others. I too had been a Pharisee. However, I wasn’t able to see it for what it is or to perceive its deadly fruit. I needed Scripture to objectively point out this inner malady to me with all of its lethal implications.

Even when we are aware of this powerful temptation, it doesn’t suddenly disappear. However, we can face it and even laugh at it. I still have tempting fantasies of the president beckoning me to come to DC to be his religious advisor, but I now know that it is a foolish fleshly fantasy. It’s also something that would make me miserable in the long run.

However, some never recover from the Pharisaic quest to build their esteem and acclaim. Instead, they need to hear the voice of the Spirit warning, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). But how are we to resist the double-bladed sword of desire and fear? God fortified Joshua with these words after he took over from Moses:

∑       Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:7-8)

Joshua would be made strong by meditating on and obeying the Words of God. This principle has also been central to the Christian life.

WHY ARE THE WISE USUALLY UNWISE?

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The Bible places wisdom on a pedestal. However, other verses seem to dismiss wisdom and those who have it. For example, after Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, the children cried out in the Temple: "Hosanna to the Son of David.” This meant that Jesus was both Savior and the Messiah. However, the religious leaders were infuriated by these words and reprimanded Jesus for not correcting the children. Instead, He responded:

• "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise'?" (Matthew 21:16 ESV)

How is it that children got it right, while the educated missed it, despite the overflowing evidence of Jesus’ miracles? Often, it seems as if the wisdom of the educated is counterproductive. Instead of illuminating, it blinds.

Paul is more explicit about the downside of what passes for wisdom:

• For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." [Isaiah 29:13] Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Corinthians 1:18-20 ESV)

Why would God destroy the wisdom of the wise, when wisdom is something He esteems? If we look at the Isaiah passage that Paul had quoted, we find that the wisdom of the wise is not wisdom at all but, instead, the product of hypocrisy:

• And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden." (Isaiah 29:13-14)

The wisdom of the wise is an earthly wisdom opposed to God. A wisdom that comes from God is humble and produces good moral fruit:

• Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (James 3:13-17)

James claimed that there are two types of wisdom, and they are opposites - the wisdom from above and from below. The first pleases God and bears good fruit. The wisdom of this world is demonic and cannot please God. Instead, it is an abomination, characterized by “jealousy and selfish ambition.” When the Bible talks negatively against “wisdom,” it is referring to the earthly demonic form.

What makes the “wise” unwise regarding the wisdom that comes from God? While they are educated and come from successful families, they seldom have a heart for God. As Isaiah had written, “their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men.” The one who fears God, esteems His Word above all else, above the dictates of mere men. The “natural man” disdains the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). This had been Jesus’ indictment of Israel’s religious leaders:

∑       “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44)

They did not have God’s wisdom because they didn’t seek God’s wisdom. They were not wise in the things of God, because they were more concerned about achieving man’s esteem, and this was the treasure they pursued and found.

In contrast, the wisdom that comes from God has to be first on our list:

∑       yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you. (Proverbs 2:3-11)

Wisdom is a gift from God to those who hunger for it. Consequently, it is often the simplest of people who have the greatest wisdom. It can even be found in the mouths of babes.