The Knowledge Of God

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. [Proverbs 3.5-6]

Sometimes, it is the well-known passages of scripture that speak most clearly. Duh. After years of knowing and even quoting this popular passage in Proverbs, it is amazing how it has new life and profundity that I've never seen before. 

All at once today, Proverbs 3.5-6 has intimate connection with 2 Corinthians 10.3-5

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. [2 Corinthians 10.3-5]

Paul speaks of human reasoning as a stronghold to be overcome. Many years earlier, Solomon speaks of our own understanding as unreliable. Hmm.

Now, it is true that Solomon promoted common sense a little further down in Proverbs 3:

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. [Proverbs 3.21-26]

The commons sense and discernment however that Solomon speaks of here is the common sense and discernment that the LORD is our security.

Wisdom therefore is not found in saying, "I can save myself - I have the knowledge, technology and science to do so.." But wisdom is found in saying. "the LORD will save me by His power and transcendence over all knowledge, technology and science."

Most would expect a good Bible teacher to acknowledge at this point that God however uses man's knowledge, technology and science. I am simply not going there because that is not what Jesus demonstrated. 

In fact, Jesus thumbed His nose (so to speak) at conventional knowledge, technology and science! He healed the sick utilizing most uncommon practices: among other methods, He made mud, He spit on His fingers, touched people, or simply spoke "healing." Jesus did nothing even similar to conventional knowledge, technology or science of the day to accomplish the mighty miracles He performed! Why? Because He came to prove that man's knowledge, technology and science are futile and unnecessary. He came to prove that human reasoning and understanding are NOT the way to the Kingdom of God. To the contrary, Jesus claimed Himself to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life - and then He demonstrated what a life untethered to human reasoning and understanding looks like.

FURTHERMORE, Jesus clearly instructed that all who follow Him would do just as He had done (John 14.12).

And yet, people who claim faith and trust in God mindlessly and regularly spout the following with no obvious conviction: 

"Now we all know what the Bible says, but we also know that God uses man's knowledge, technology and science..."

 The idolatry and faithlessness of the statement above is immeasurable. Is it any wonder then that where knowledge, technology and science are the most abundant that God's undeniable power is the least evident? One simply cannot make the statement above and claim to have the "mind of Christ."

For, "Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. [1 Corinthians 2.16]

Jesus demonstrated that God does not need or depend one bit on man's knowledge, technology or science - God does not need human reasoning or understanding. The Apostle Paul in fact noted that human reasoning is a stronghold to be overcome... and even an obstacle that prevents people from knowing God.

We have some decisions to make then about what we will really believe relative to the Truth of God's Word.

Father, Your Word leaves little room to argue on behalf of the knowledge, technology and science of man. What would our lives look like if we so adamantly argued on behalf of the "knowledge of God" instead? Forgive me for my part in denying Your absolute authority and power over anything of man's reason and understanding.