“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and
lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he
shall direct thy paths.” Pro 3:5-6
While
the bible instructs not to lean on our own understanding, it does not encourage
us to be irrational in understanding. In
Proverbs, “Understanding” is referenced (53 times) thus putting no separation between
our intellect and faith. Meaning we are
not to be lack of understanding, but lack in our own perceptions and
reliance. The Garden of Eden illustrates
the insanity of man and trusting of ourselves and leaning on our own
understanding. This simple attempt of
self-knowledge and wisdom lead to the fall of man and the introduction of sin.
So many of the struggles in life that causes us the most difficulties and headaches,
the source of so much of our anger, anxiety, fear, doubt with others and God,
is the results of leaning on our own understanding. In exercising our faith – trusting fully in
God’s way and wisdom – we are not setting aside our own intellect. On the
contrary, we are resting our intellect on the intellect of God and His
understanding. Nothing is wiser or more
sane, than to allow Him to direct our
paths, which not only leads us to great joy, but also makes the journey
itself, even laden with sorrow, joyful (2 Cor 6:10). It preserves for us all the pleasures God has
for us in this fallen world. To not do this is the height of foolishness and a
path to misery. Adam and Eve walked a path
of their own understanding that lead them right out of the Garden.
Maturity
is not the ability to talk about big things, but the understanding of the
little things.
HSAY…Todd
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