Sin is crouching at the door...

I had looked up the meaning of "intelligence" and "wisdom" in the dictionary that I have and this is what it said,

Intelligence - the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge; the faculty of thoughts and reason; superior powers of mind

Wisdom - understanding of what is right, true or lasting; common sense, good judgement; scholarly learning

"Intelligence" - even the animals and plants have, but "wisdom" - only human beings have. Yet, we fail to make the right decisions in life knowing very well the consequences of those decisions.

The bible teaches us that if we want wisdom, just ask God, and he will give it to us. James writes in the book of James 1:5-6,

If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

There was Solomon, who asked God for wisdom and understanding to govern his people (1Kings 3:3-14) and God answered his prayer by giving him great wisdom, wealth and honor. We read 1Kings 4:29-34,

God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge too vast to be measured.  In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt.  He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman, Calcol, and Darda - the sons of Mahol.  His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations.  He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.  He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, and kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.

Yet this Solomon to whom God gave great wisdom and to whom God appeared twice personally turned away from God and lived a life filled with sin angering God (2 Kings 11:9).  After living a life of excess mired in sin, searching for something he couldn't find in the world, Solomon comes to the conclusion,

"Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person.  God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad."  (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Why do I write this? From the man I was to the man I am since Christ transformed my life, it has been a 180 degree turn in pretty much all aspects of my life and my thinking.  But, I struggle with certain aspects of my life from time to time. Using my intelligence I try to cover up the tracks, but God's Spirit points out the folly of it.  God's wisdom makes me question myself, "What good is it if I have gained the world or should I say fooled the world, but in the process lost my soul."  While struggling with remorse, asking God for forgiveness, the scriptures from the books of James and 1Kings pricked my heart. All God asked Solomon in return for great wisdom, great wealth, and great honor that no other king in all the world could be compared to, was to make the right choice to follow him and obey his commands. It has been my experience that left up to my own devise, I tend to fail miserably.

The Lord says in Isaiah 29:14, "...I will show that human wisdom is foolish and even the most brilliant people lack understanding." Let us not trust in our intelligence nor human wisdom to fool the world, but ask God for his Spirit to give us godly wisdom to discern right from wrong and pursue what is right.  Sin is crouching at the door. Take heed to Christ's warning to Peter in Mathew 26:41, "Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you.  For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!"

An awesome song from Rhema Marvane - Just as I am