and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
There are many scriptures that tell us to be careful about what we listen to, what we allow to come into us. Nearly all of them refer to the things that the world has to offer. We are told in the Bible to have faith in God, trust God, Trust His word, stand against the wisdom of the world. Stand against the wiles of the devil. Know that there are principalities and powers that we are to resist. Resist the devil and he will flee.
The Bible tells us that these things will try to infiltrate the Christians life, the life of the Church. God warns us so much against these thing, under the new covenant, I am just wondering why? I have for many years understood some of the things that were bad that happened to God’s people; was not so much God doing these things, but God removing His protection. Whenever God removed His protection, it allowed the devil/satan to come in and bring those bad thing upon the people, or the nation.
Now we are in the new covenant God wants us to be aware that our enemy the devil is still out there, ‘prowling about as a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour.’ We have God’s protection, but we can open ourselves up to the attacks of the devil. How do we do this?
We listen to the wisdom of the world, is one basic answer. We trust the wisdom of the world rather than the wisdom of God. We may be born again, Spirit filled Christians, but we would rather see a psychologist than find the answers with God. We would rather trust the government than trust God. We would follow the worlds way through education first than seek God first.
Paul talking in the verses at the top of this page, can be seen as defending himself, saying I did not preach in a way of bring just a wisdom. The Corinthians were used to listening to the wisdom of men. They would stand in prominent places in the city proclaiming their wisdoms. Paul say I came in a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Why did he do this? Maybe because he knew that is would take more than just another type of wisdom to get through to these people, even if it was the wisdom of God.
Demonstration of the Spirit and power so that their faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Not the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Had to write that twice. God did not want these people who love to go find new kinds of wisdom, just to add to their knowledge, to do that. God wanted them to know that there is Power in the name of Jesus. The phrase Knowledge is power, is the kind of philosophy that the Corinthians had back then.
It was not just the Corinthians, it was a part of the culture of the whole Roman/Greek culture, which is where much of Paul’s work was done. Look here at what Paul wrote to the Church at Colossae about philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8 NASB
See to it means MAKE SURE. Through philosophy I found this under a question some examples of philosophy:- Philosophy is a set of ideals, standards or beliefs used to describe behavior and thought. An example of philosophy is Buddhism. … Mental balance or composure thought of as resulting from the study of philosophy. Philosophy is wisdom that is not from God. It is a principle of the world.
More tomorrow
Charlie
FREEDOM IN CHRIST 