INTELLECT MAY FAIL
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Intellect
a) The influence that motivates us to obey God is intellect. God says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are... my thoughts higher than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).
b) Yet we also read, "Come, let us reason together says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18). God has given us intellect. We are capable of considering his thoughts, so our faith and obedience to him is an intelligent choice.
c) God does not want mindless faith and obedience. He expects us to reason with him, to think things through, to apply our intellect to his word, that we might reach the personal conviction that his ways are right.
2. Intellect May Fail
a) We have noticed that good influences can fail. Intellect is no exception. Intellect will fail if the owner of an intellect allows it to become darkened.
i) Intellect can become foolish. "Professing to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:22).
ii) Intellect can become prejudiced and ignore evidence. "When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, they sneered" (Acts 17:32).
iii) Intellect can become conceited. See Paul’s discourse on this (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
The End ...
1. Intellecta) The influence that motivates us to obey God is intellect. God says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are... my thoughts higher than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).
b) Yet we also read, "Come, let us reason together says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18). God has given us intellect. We are capable of considering his thoughts, so our faith and obedience to him is an intelligent choice.
c) God does not want mindless faith and obedience. He expects us to reason with him, to think things through, to apply our intellect to his word, that we might reach the personal conviction that his ways are right.
2. Intellect May Fail
a) We have noticed that good influences can fail. Intellect is no exception. Intellect will fail if the owner of an intellect allows it to become darkened.
i) Intellect can become foolish. "Professing to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:22).
ii) Intellect can become prejudiced and ignore evidence. "When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, they sneered" (Acts 17:32).
iii) Intellect can become conceited. See Paul’s discourse on this (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
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