Choosing God's Wisdom Over Worldly Logic
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments where the wisdom of the world clashes with the wisdom of God. It is in these moments that we must stand firm in our convictions, aligning ourselves with the Word of God rather than succumbing to the common sense of the world. This is not a path of ease, but one of steadfast obedience and trust in the Lord.
Take, for example, the biblical account of Abram. Faced with a crisis, Abram chose to rely on his own understanding rather than God's promises. He lied about his wife, Sarah, being his sister to protect himself, which led to her being taken into Pharaoh's household. Abram's actions, driven by fear and self-preservation, were in direct opposition to the love he was called to show his wife—a love that is unconditional, self-sacrificial, and committed to the well-being of another.
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of choosing our own logic over God's commands. Abram's lie may have seemed successful in the short term, as he gained wealth and favor from Pharaoh, but it was a fleeting victory that could have led to spiritual death. The treasures gained by deceit are not blessings but snares that entangle us, leading us away from God's purpose for our lives.
As believers, we are called to a life of joyful generosity, even when it seems counterintuitive. We are to remain faithful in difficult marriages, reflecting the perseverance and covenant love that God shows us. We are to resolve conflicts within the body of Christ without resorting to worldly methods like lawsuits. And as men, we are called to protect and cherish our families, ensuring that our actions reflect the sacrificial love we profess.
In every decision, we must choose to align with God's Word, even when it contradicts common sense. This is the essence of thinking biblically, and it is a key part of our church's purpose. By doing so, we become true ambassadors for Christ, witnessing to the Gospel through our actions and choices.
Key Takeaways:
- When faced with a decision, we must choose to align with God's Word over common sense. This choice is a testament to our faith and trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom. It is in these moments that our faith is both tested and strengthened. [12:10]
- True biblical love is an unconditional, self-sacrificial commitment to the well-being of another. This love is not rooted in happiness or personal gain but in the desire for the betterment of the other person. It is this kind of love that we are called to demonstrate in our marriages and to the world. [15:57]
- The pursuit of wealth through deceit is a dangerous path that leads to spiritual entrapment. True blessings come from God and are gained through honest means. Wealth obtained through lies is a snare that can ultimately own us, rather than us owning it. [24:32]
- Men are called to be protectors and providers for their families, ensuring that their actions reflect the love and security they profess. This responsibility is a serious one, and it requires men to act in the best interest of their families, not in self-preservation. [19:12]
- Even when sin appears to succeed, it is a hollow victory that can lead to greater spiritual peril. We must resist the temptation to sin, even when it seems to offer immediate benefits, and instead trust in God's perfect plan for our lives. [20:47]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 12:10-20
2. James 4:4
3. Proverbs 21:6
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Abram's initial reaction when faced with a crisis in Egypt? How did he choose to protect himself? ([16:41])
2. How did Pharaoh respond to Abram's deceit, and what were the immediate consequences for Abram and Sarah? ([21:27])
3. According to the sermon, what is the biblical definition of love, and how did Abram's actions contrast with this definition? ([15:57])
4. What does James 4:4 say about friendship with the world, and how does this relate to Abram's actions in Egypt? ([22:51])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Abram chose to lie about Sarah being his sister instead of trusting in God's promises? What does this reveal about his faith at that moment? ([16:41])
2. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between common sense and biblical wisdom? Can you think of other biblical examples where God's wisdom contradicted common sense? ([12:10])
3. What are the potential dangers of pursuing wealth through deceit, as highlighted in the sermon and Proverbs 21:6? How can this apply to modern-day situations? ([24:32])
4. How does the concept of unconditional, self-sacrificial love challenge our modern understanding of love, especially in the context of marriage and family? ([15:57])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision where common sense contradicted God's Word. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How might you handle a similar situation differently in the future? ([12:10])
2. In what ways can you demonstrate unconditional, self-sacrificial love in your current relationships, especially in your marriage or family? What specific actions can you take this week to show this kind of love? ([15:57])
3. Have you ever been tempted to pursue wealth or success through dishonest means? How did you handle that temptation, and what steps can you take to ensure you remain honest in your pursuits? ([24:32])
4. As a man, how can you better protect and cherish your family, ensuring your actions reflect the love and security you profess? What changes might you need to make to fulfill this responsibility more effectively? ([19:12])
5. Think about a situation where sin seemed to offer immediate benefits. How did you resist or succumb to that temptation, and what were the long-term consequences? How can you strengthen your trust in God's perfect plan for your life? ([20:47])
6. How can you cultivate a habit of thinking biblically in your daily decisions, especially when it contradicts common sense? What practical steps can you take to align your actions with God's Word? ([12:10])
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about resolving conflicts within the body of Christ without resorting to worldly methods. How can you apply this principle in your interactions with fellow believers? ([13:36])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Wisdom Over Worldly Logic
When faced with decisions, it's natural to lean on our own understanding and what the world considers common sense. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard—one that aligns with God's Word, even when it seems illogical. This choice is a testament to our faith and trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom. It is in these moments that our faith is both tested and strengthened. Choosing God's wisdom may not always be the easiest path, but it is the one that leads to true life and peace. It requires a conscious effort to trust in God's plan and to believe that His ways are higher than our ways. This trust is not passive; it is an active step of obedience that often goes against the grain of societal norms. [12:10]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
Reflection: In what situation do you need to reject common sense and instead trust in God's wisdom? How can you apply this trust in your decision-making process today?
Day 2: The Nature of True Biblical Love
True biblical love is an unconditional, self-sacrificial commitment to the well-being of another. This love is not rooted in happiness or personal gain but in the desire for the betterment of the other person. It is this kind of love that we are called to demonstrate in our marriages and to the world. Such love reflects the love Christ has for us—a love that led Him to the cross for our sake. This love is patient, kind, and does not seek its own interests. It is a love that endures through hardships and rejoices in the truth. As believers, we are challenged to love others with this same selfless love, putting their needs above our own and seeking their good above our comfort. [15:57]
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-6
Reflection: How can you demonstrate self-sacrificial love to someone in your life today, and what might that look like in practical terms?
Day 3: The Peril of Dishonest Gain
The pursuit of wealth through deceit is a dangerous path that leads to spiritual entrapment. True blessings come from God and are gained through honest means. Wealth obtained through lies is a snare that can ultimately own us, rather than us owning it. As believers, we must be vigilant against the temptation to achieve success at the cost of our integrity. The Scriptures warn us that ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value and only bring trouble to the house that acquires them. Instead, we are to seek God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He will provide for our needs in a manner that honors Him. [24:32]
"A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." - Proverbs 28:20
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to compromise your integrity for material gain? How can you realign your priorities to seek God's provision instead?
Day 4: The Call to Protect and Provide
Men are called to be protectors and providers for their families, ensuring that their actions reflect the love and security they profess. This responsibility is a serious one, and it requires men to act in the best interest of their families, not in self-preservation. The biblical model of leadership is one of servant leadership, where the leader lays down his life for the sake of others, just as Christ did for the church. This means making decisions that are not based on fear or selfishness but on love, wisdom, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is a call to be strong and courageous, not in our own strength, but in the strength that God provides. [19:12]
"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." - 1 Timothy 5:8
Reflection: As a man, how are you being called to protect and provide for your family in a way that reflects Christ's love? If you're not a man, how can you support and encourage the men in your life to fulfill this calling?
Day 5: The Illusion of Sinful Success
Even when sin appears to succeed, it is a hollow victory that can lead to greater spiritual peril. We must resist the temptation to sin, even when it seems to offer immediate benefits, and instead trust in God's perfect plan for our lives. The Bible is clear that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Sin's fleeting pleasures are no match for the lasting joy and fulfillment that come from living in obedience to God. As we walk in the Spirit, we are empowered to overcome the deceitfulness of sin and to live lives that are pleasing to God. [20:47]
"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" - Mark 8:36
Reflection: Can you identify a time when you were tempted to choose a sinful shortcut? How can you prepare yourself to resist such temptations in the future and trust in God's better way?
Quotes
1) "Love is an unconditional self-sacrificial commitment to the wellbeing of another. Love will say I will take upon myself whatever burden I have to bear if in bearing that burden I am contributing to your being better." [15:57] (Download)
2) "Thinking biblically will never be the gut response when things go wrong. Lining up with God's word sometimes will put you at direct odds with common sense." [12:10] (Download)
3) "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. If you have to lie to get it, you don't want it." [24:32] (Download)
4) "If your wife feels unprotected, unsecure, unsheltered... does she know that nothing that would cause her harm gets to her without killing you first?" [19:12] (Download)
5) "Abram is clearly acting in his own self-interest. He's drawing his wife into his deceitful narrative for the sake of his own self-interest; it's anything but love." [17:24] (Download)
6) "What do we do when common sense and God's word point us in opposite directions? It's not by accident that thinking biblically is such a key part of our Church's purpose statement." [12:10] (Download)
7) "If you start lying to get wealth, you're going to find yourself with more wealth than you want; you're going to find yourself snared and suddenly instead of you owning your stuff, your stuff will start owning you." [25:09] (Download)
8) "Sir, especially if you are a husband and father... your primary role in life is to be an ambassadorial witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ." [22:51] (Download)
9) "If you get it wrong at that fork in the road where common sense suggests one course of action and the word of God another, you are going to tumble into greater sin and difficulty." [14:11] (Download)
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