The mind and intellect of man is an amazing thing. It has brought us from cave dwelling to modern civilization. It has been responsible for imagining and producing powerful computers, trips to the moon, and cures for major diseases. But the mind and intellect of man has also been responsible for some very dangerous things like wars, genocide, cults, and atomic weaponry that could destroy the earth and civilization. And the most dangerous of them all, the mind has the ability to lead you to believe that there is no God, that you are so smart that you have no need of God, or that you are God. In these scenarios, you actually become your own God which is the height of arrogance and pride. As my mother would often tell me, “Young man, you can become too smart for your own good”.
I recently heard a powerful testimony from one of the most intellectual people I have ever known. This person was born and raised in a Jewish home. He graduated from Harvard with a degree in psychology. He searched most of his young adult life for the deeper spiritual meanings of the universe. He was majorly involved in Eastern religions and the New Age movement but he never could find what he was seeking for. But one day he found himself in the Holy presence of the Almighty Jehovah God. At that point, he could no longer deny that God was real and he surrendered his whole being (Body, Soul, and Spirit) to the Creator through His son Jesus Christ. That encounter, and subsequent surrender, changed my Jewish friend’s life forever!
The Bible has a lot to say about the conflict between man’s intellect and God’s wisdom:
1 Corinthians 1:20-21: “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe (writer)? Where is the disputer of this world (lawyer)? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe”.
1 Corinthians 1:27: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise”.
I am often reminded of the story of Job in the Bible. Job was a very prosperous and Godly family man that lost everything in one day. He lost his seven sons and three daughters and all his vast possessions (due to an attack by Satan, not God). Shortly after that Job was stricken with boils (by Satan, not God) all over his body and his wife told him to just curse God and die.Job was deep in grief when three of his close friends came to counsel him regarding his tremendous loss. They all blamed Job for the calamity and made accusations that he, or his children, must have sinned to bring this calamity and judgment from God on themselves (even though the attack was actually not from God but from Satan). They accused Job of everything from being a liar to being a very vain person. At the end of all this fancy and lengthy religious rhetoric from his so-called friends God himself spoke to Job, referring to the counseling sessions by the three friends, and said, “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” God went on to ask a long list of questions directed toward the intellect of man like where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth, and where were you when I commanded the morning, created the stars, and formed the oceans? God was not happy with the counsel from these three friends and I am often reminded of God’s questions on this matter when I’m ministering to very intellectual people.
The intellect of man can physically save a life, but it cannot save a soul. The intellect of man can reach the Moon and Mars, but it cannot reach Heaven. The intellect of man can assist in delivering a new born baby, but it cannot cause your Spirit to be reborn. The intellect of man can change and shape the visible, but it cannot change and shape the invisible (which is actually more real than the visible since it is eternal). At some point, in all of our lives, we must recognize these severe human limitations and submit ourselves to the one and only God that created us and can open those doors for us. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of true wisdom! I am speaking of the God of the Bible, not some mystical force! He stands at the door of all human hearts and knocks. If you have not answered that knock, we encourage you today to open the door and let the King of Glory (Jesus Christ) come in and fill you with His power, wisdom, and understanding. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Jesus said to him, “I am the way , and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6) . “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). It will be the most glorious time of your life and your eyes will be opened to a whole new dimension and a brand new life.
If you need help with prayer, call us at 800-322-5220.
Rev. Ed & Cheryl Henderson, New Life Network, Inc.
www.newlifenetwork-org-staging.smwnm894-liquidwebsites.com
