Do you accept human wisdom on an equal basis with God’s revelation? In other words, has God’s revelation, the Bible lost its distinctiveness in your life.
If you recall the Corinthian’s had allowed human philosophies to enter into their church and lives. The Corinthians had mixed human philosophy and God’s Truth. These are two totally divergent things. God’s revelation cannot be equalized with human wisdom.
Human philosophy is not compatible with God’s revelation!
The apostle Paul exhorts these believers and us alike in Corinthian 3 and verse 18 by saying, “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in the things of this age, let him become a fool in order that he would really be wise.” In other words, if you think you’re really smart by this world’s standard and you long to measure up to the world’s standard, you are running in the wrong direction.
- Think of it this way, God’s Word unadulterated and pure how it has been given to us is true wisdom. Therefore, the Apostle Paul is saying. “Don’t be deceiving yourselves, thinking that you can make God’s Word more attractive or you can help God out in some way by mixing His Word with human wisdom” and they were. They had deceived themselves into thinking that human wisdom (foolishness) was on an equal level with God’s revelation.
This is the very core of the Christian faith for our hope is in Jesus, in the grace of God not human wisdom for he tells us in 19For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
- Worldly wisdom cannot save or overcome the flesh; we are deceiving ourselves if we believe that human ideas we benefit us in relation to God. Man needs divine power and divine understand to overcome the tricks of the enemy and the flesh. For he (the Devil) prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. That is why we are commanded to be sober-minded, alert and watchful. (1 Peter 5:8, ESV)
Likewise, we are instructed by God to “Be strengthened.” We are not told to, “Be strong.” Because we can’t strengthen ourselves. Rather that is something the Lord does through the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 6:10, says “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Be strengthened, he says.
Luke 2:40, “And the child grew and became strong in spirit.” It’s a word that can mean a strengthening of the spirit, or a strong spirit that can overcome the flesh.
In addition, 2 timothy 2:1, “But thou O man of God,” he says, “be strong that is in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” It’s a strong spirit that overcomes the flesh.
Now what is interesting about this scenario is that the Corinthian’s (like many Christians today) thought they were strong. Many in the world today think that they are strong! They have been deceived by a mixture of Christian truth and the world’s philosophy; it has to be a mixed with truth to deceive the masses. The devil is a master at deception for we are told in Paul’s letter to Timothy and the church that – “Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,”(1 Timothy 4:1(NKJV))
This is not simply human error but rather “deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons”.
Matthew 24:24 explains that For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
In closing Paul appeals to them in chapter 10 verse 12, “Let him that thinks he stand take heed” – what? – “lest he fall.” They thought they were so strong. They were anything but strong, they were deceived.
The sad thing about deception is that the deceived person does not know that they are deceived that is why it is so important to be obedient and not get caught up in liking personalities but rather loving God’s Word and living by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”(Matt. 4:4)
Also, we are commanded to Watch our lives and doctrine closely, persevere in them, because if we do, we will save both ourselves and our hearers.(1 Timothy 4:16)