Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Do you ever have trouble remembering this? Do you ever remember it and then willfully ignore it because you want to do your own thing, your own way?
Rejecting this wise advice from King Solomon is idolatry. When we willfully reject this advice we are saying to God, "I am smart enough to handle this Lord. Go mind your own business until I need your help!"
Most of us would never actually say these words, but too often this is our attitude. This is what we are saying when we sacrifice God's will on the altar of personal agendas.
That is what we are saying when we try to use our worldly logic and reason to justify acting contrary to what God's Word commands. Some things in the Christian life falls under the realm of adiaphora (Christian Freedom), but much does not. God's Word has a lot to say about most aspects of our lives and ministries. If you doubt me on this I would encourage you to actually open your Bible and begin reading. The Lord God Almighty is living and active, and so is His Word! (2 Timothy 3:14ff; Hebrews 4:12-13)
So now to the point:
We are to "Trust in the LORD with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding." Notice that Solomon says we are to trust in the Lord, not in ourselves. This makes perfect sense. Who knows more: the omnipotent, omniscient Lord of all creation; or finite man with his sin-damaged brain and very limited knowledge and understanding of anything?
This is the biggest problem in our society. Everyone wants to be the god of their own little selfish universe. This is to be expected from the heathen, but what excuse do Christians have? Why do so many Christians fight this?
The obvious answer is sin, but this doesn't completely answer the question. This really comes down to two specific sins: lack of faith (trust) and ego/arrogance.
First let's look at faith. Faith is trusting in God and believing that He will honor His promises. When we put all of our trust in ourselves and rely solely on our own strength, or intelligence, or abilities we are not trusting God. There is no such thing as degrees of trust, either. 99% trust is 100% unbelief/doubt. Either you trust in the Lord, or you are trusting in something else. Whatever that something else is it has just become an idol in your life. God makes a promise here through Solomon. He promises that when we trust Him, and submit to Him, He will make our paths straight. When we put all of our trust in ourselves, or anything that isn't God, we are saying one of two things: we don't trust that God is capable of helping us in this situation, or we don't believe that He will actually honor this promise.
If you doubt God's power to help His people in their time of need just read through the Historical accounts in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Book of Acts. If this doesn't convince you of God's power and His love for His people take an honest look at your own life. Think back to the times when you experienced significant hardships and challenges. How did you come through those experiences? Do you really think that it worked out because of you, or dumb luck? No. If you are honest you can clearly see all of the times that God has worked in your life, even if you didn't thank Him for it. There are numerous times throughout Scripture that God has promised us that He will always be with us, this assurance is trustworthy. (Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 1:6-9; Matthew 28:18-20; just to name a few)
The second sin is ego and arrogance. This is worshipping self as God. The warning signs to watch for on this are comments such as, "I got this."; or anytime the solution to a problem is I, I, I, or me, me, me. These are telltale signs that there is an idolatrous ego at work. Sadly, this arrogant self-assuredness is present in the church just as it is in every secular institution and organization. The result is equally destructive where ever it is found.
Over-inflated egos destroy relationships. Out-of-control egos use people, and when they are no longer useful those individuals are simply discarded...kicked to the curb. Usually, the arrogant egocentric "leader" doesn't see the writing on the wall. He is so sure of himself that his downfall comes as a total surprise to him. Usually his reign of terror ends ugly: a crash and burn in a very public way.
First let's look at faith. Faith is trusting in God and believing that He will honor His promises. When we put all of our trust in ourselves and rely solely on our own strength, or intelligence, or abilities we are not trusting God. There is no such thing as degrees of trust, either. 99% trust is 100% unbelief/doubt. Either you trust in the Lord, or you are trusting in something else. Whatever that something else is it has just become an idol in your life. God makes a promise here through Solomon. He promises that when we trust Him, and submit to Him, He will make our paths straight. When we put all of our trust in ourselves, or anything that isn't God, we are saying one of two things: we don't trust that God is capable of helping us in this situation, or we don't believe that He will actually honor this promise.
If you doubt God's power to help His people in their time of need just read through the Historical accounts in the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Book of Acts. If this doesn't convince you of God's power and His love for His people take an honest look at your own life. Think back to the times when you experienced significant hardships and challenges. How did you come through those experiences? Do you really think that it worked out because of you, or dumb luck? No. If you are honest you can clearly see all of the times that God has worked in your life, even if you didn't thank Him for it. There are numerous times throughout Scripture that God has promised us that He will always be with us, this assurance is trustworthy. (Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 1:6-9; Matthew 28:18-20; just to name a few)
1 Corinthians 10:12
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful you don't fall!
The second sin is ego and arrogance. This is worshipping self as God. The warning signs to watch for on this are comments such as, "I got this."; or anytime the solution to a problem is I, I, I, or me, me, me. These are telltale signs that there is an idolatrous ego at work. Sadly, this arrogant self-assuredness is present in the church just as it is in every secular institution and organization. The result is equally destructive where ever it is found.
Over-inflated egos destroy relationships. Out-of-control egos use people, and when they are no longer useful those individuals are simply discarded...kicked to the curb. Usually, the arrogant egocentric "leader" doesn't see the writing on the wall. He is so sure of himself that his downfall comes as a total surprise to him. Usually his reign of terror ends ugly: a crash and burn in a very public way.
Solomon gives us the way to avoid that terrible scenario: Trust in God, lean not on your own understanding, and in all your ways acknowledge Him. What a simple success formula God has given us. If only it was that easy to follow. This is why we have to constantly be on our guard and fighting the spiritual battle against the world, Satan, and our own sinful flesh. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us that we are able to fight this battle.
1 Corinthians 1:20-21,25
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
God bless
Jason Fredrick
Thank for this reminder, Perfect timing
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