Do not trust human wisdom, but in the power of God

Note:  I don't know why some posts have the words printed so small like what appeared yesterday.  It did not look like that when I posted it.  My apologies!

I Corinthians 2:4-5 (NLT)

And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.  I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

What famous evangelist’s name comes to mind when you think of someone who preached very simple and plain messages for decades?  Billy Graham.  Perhaps Mr. Graham patterned his preaching after St. Paul and what he wrote here in I Cor 2:4.  Billy Graham’s messages were always focused on preaching the gospel, that people are lost, Jesus Christ is the only way to God, and you need to give your heart and life to Him.  Messages like this—simple and plain—were also extremely powerful because of the countless number of lives that were changed.  Why were such simple and plain messages so powerful?  Because the speakers relied on the power of the Holy Spirit.   

What kinds of human wisdom do people tend to trust?  Since the greatest sin of mankind is pride, then anything that demonstrates man’s pride is human wisdom.  So this would include things such as “me-first”, “do your own thing”, “look out for number one”, and any kind of attitude that shows selfishness.  Human wisdom says that money and materialism, position and title, physical strength and beauty are much more important than faith in the Lord.  When you listen to and abide by someone other than God through His Word, you are trusting in human wisdom.  Religious cults are led by deceivers who entrap their followers through the false power of human wisdom.   People will follow worldly leaders---politicians, business leaders, your boss, thought leaders, people with superior intelligence and clever talking, even pastors and other spiritual leaders more than they desire to follow the Lord.

I remember being in a Bible study class at a church where the pastor was referred to by his first and middle name initials, “JC” rather than his full first or last name.  A person in that class kept saying “JC said this” and “JC said that” to the point where someone else in the class spoke up, a little annoyed, and said “Which JC are you talking about?”

Human wisdom believes that humans evolved from animals rather than being created by God.  Human wisdom believes that the universe started with the “big bang”, not created by God.  Human wisdom believes that events and things of life just happen with no intervention by almighty God.  Human wisdom does not believe in heaven, hell, or salvation through Jesus Christ.   Human wisdom believes it is better to receive than to give.  Human wisdom believes that you are more important than others.  Human wisdom always relies on the finite limitations of the human mind and experience rather than the infinite power of the creator God.     

You are to trust in the power of God.  What does this mean?  You need to think of biblical examples.  The power of God to create the universe and all life.  His power to affect the course of history.  All the miracles recorded.  The power to overcome evil, defeat death, and provide a way to eternal life.  The power of the gospel to change lives completely.  The power to do everything and anything that you simply cannot imagine or comprehend (Eph 3:20).

 

Paul later writes in I Corinthians 3:18-21,23 these very sharp words about trusting in God rather than trusting in people.  Might he be writing to you?  Hope not, but you need to do a sober self-assessment about who you trust first, God or human wisdom.  “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise
in the snare of their own cleverness.”  And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise;
e knows they are worthless.”  So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God”.