May 28, 2017 (Proverbs 26:12)

“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Prov 26:12).  In the creation story recorded in the book of Genesis, we have an illustration that has applied continuously until the present times. Adam is shown two trees, one being the tree of life and the second the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. These trees represent the ways of God and ways of man respectively, and are a type of choice given to Adam and each of us today in that we have free will to decide from which tree to eat.  We recall it was a choice available to the archangel Lucifer and other angelic beings as well, as many were cast out of heaven to earth in their disobedience (Rev 12:7-9). So it is for us. A decision is ours as to either submit to the revealed will of God or choose to be wise in our own eyes. The entirety of biblical history as well as universal experience today makes exceedingly clear the consequences which result. There is more hope for a fool than for those choosing to be wise in their own eyes and follow the ways of the world or ‘common sense’ in contrast to living by faith in the ways of a loving and sovereign God. It is a precious gift to receive that we have opportunity to turn from arrogant pride and self-sufficiency and accept what God has revealed. Unfortunately most have an unswerving tendency to assume their own standards are acceptable to God instead of recognizing the inherent deceitfulness of any heart which is yet unredeemed (Jer 17:9). The apostle fervently urges us to bring all of our thoughts into the captivity of Christ (2 Cor 10:5),. Such is one of the greatest challenges of the Christian life. Willingness to allow a ministry of the Holy Spirit to operate, convicting and correcting in areas where thinking is in error, is a decision that must be made not only deliberately but forcefully if one is to participate in the kingdom of heaven on earth (Matt 11:12). Let us determine to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches in these latter days of the church age.