SCRIPTURE:
“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God.
For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.””
1 Corinthians 3:18-20
OBSERVATION:
Here we find Paul instructing the believers in Corinth on matters of the heart, of maturing in Christ.
Apparently the issue was loyalty and allegiance to certain persons, one group professing allegiance to Apollos, another to Cephas (Peter), and others to Paul.
Paul starts with very practical teaching using agrarian principles; one plants, another waters, but God causes the growth.
Probably seeing that further reproof is needed, he bluntly comes out saying this; seek NOT the wisdom of men, but of God.
And the ONLY way to achieve that is to become almost childlike, ignorant, foolish by man’s standard, but fresh soil ready for the seeds of God’s wisdom to be planted and grow.
APPLICATION:
So with that said, how shall we live?
In this world of the internet, instant information, fabricated realities, the ease in which one can promote one’s self is not just on the rise, it is exponentially expanding and having this tidal wave of information effect on all people, believer and non believer alike. And churches, ministries, and ministers are part of the wave.
And within this flood of data, promise, promotion, and ear-tickling platitudes; are embedded tiny and sometimes overlooked bits of truth—God’s unadulterated truth.
One must be discerning, curious, and almost ignorant, in order to extract the precious from the worthless.
Not that what’s out there is a flood of garbage, not at all! There are a lot of great words flowing forth in this flood of information and data!
But each of us individually would fare ourselves well, to hold all things in light of Scripture, to pray and ask the LORD for clarity, and in my opinion (for what it’s worth), to allow the indisputable test called TIME to see if these promises and promotions hold any spiritual and societal weight.
It’s easy to promise the quick and easy to receive, to achieve, or to be significant.
But that which survives scrutiny, criticism, and the wear and tear of trends and fads…that is something which one can truly pledge allegiance to, because it was, is, and always will be founded on the LORD—planted by one, watered by another.
And that is what will endure for posterity.
PRAYER:
So LORD Jesus, may I be aligned to You first, always, and intentionally.
May those who want to follow me turn Your way first, or no go. Amen!
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