The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I thank you for you perfect wisdom. Forgive me for times when I have tried to exalt myself. My wisdom is foolishness compared to your infinite wisdom. Help me not to make a “god” out of my mind. You alone are the only true wise One! May my life be an example to others of humility, for it is in humility, where I can reveal wisdom. Help my words today to be seasoned with your wisdom. I don’t want to miss what you want to do through me today. I ask this in Jesus’ name. . . Amen.
God’s Word Today—Romans 1:21-23
21 “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.”
Reflecting on God’s Word
Read Romans 1:22. Why do so many people think they are wise? If they were wise, why is it that their lives are plagued with sin?
The evidence of true wisdom is holiness, and the evidence of foolishness is sin. When we live in a way that pleases God, He enables us to live righteously before Him and before others. If we are to be the kind of examples that God wants us to be, we are to rely upon His wisdom and grace to enable us to be holy.
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
What is wisdom? Read Proverbs 1:7 and explain how we obtain wisdom and knowledge.
Why can wisdom apart from the knowledge of God lead to idolatry?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
The mind is a wonderful thing. It is wonderful so long as it is submitted to God! When our minds are used in ways that do not attribute worth and glory to God, they become an idol. It is always the strategy of the devil to take something good and taint it. Unless our minds are renewed by God’s Spirit, they are tainted with sin. The mind therefore becomes at odds with God. If we’re to get our mind’s back on track, we are to put God’s word in them! Take time to saturate your mind with God’s word!
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
List the three wisest people you know.
Why did you list the people you did? What are the qualities they have which make them wise?
Are any of the people you selected not Christians? Reread Romans 1:22 and see if you would like to keep these people on your list.
Thoughts
The result of spiritual blindness is intellectual pride. People who are spiritually blinded are proud of their own philosophical constructs. The Bible says, however, that true wisdom is found only in those who put God first. Proverbs 1:7a says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” If we don’t put God first, we’re foolish and spiritually blinded. We may think we’re wise because we did well in school, or because we made it to the top of the corporate ladder, or because we made a lot of money, but in the end, only those who fear God are wise. The apostle Paul calls people who follow their own ideas, rather than God’s, fools. They’ve made an idol out of their own carnal minds, and it lead to intellectual pride.
Education is a wonderful tool that often leads to great success. The temptation that can so often comes with much education, is to trust more in our knowledge than to trust the Author of all knowledge. We simply cannot understand everything. It is wisdom to filter all “earthly” educational knowledge, through the truth and wisdom of Scripture (not the other way around). God’s ways are always best, and His truth will last forever. Take time today to study God’s wisdom in Scripture. Let God’s wisdom make you spiritually wise!
This Week’s Memory Verse:
And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes. Romans 1:23