Become A Fool To Be Wise?

1st Corinthians 3:18 

"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise."

This is definitely a paradox! (a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.) Oxford Dictionary

Paul went through the same process when he was first converted!

Philippians 3:5-8

"circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ"

Paul indeed became a fool (a person lacking in judgment or prudence) Merriam Webster. And he became one of the wisest and spiritually strong men in the first century! God used him mightily after he was humbled by his spiritual encounters with Jesus, the thorn in his flesh, and being taught by the Spirit God in the desert. 

Galatians 6:3

"For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." 

So many paradoxes and humbling scriptures in the bible to help those who truly want to be followers of Christ understand what they must do in order to walk blameless in the sight of God. It doesn't matter your age or how many degree's or certificate's you may have. It doesn't matter what men may call you, or even if you pastor a big congregation of people, you can still be spiritually immature, disobedient, and deceived in your understanding of the scriptures!

It takes true humility and a emptying of self to really grow and become wise in the sight of God and His people. You have to count all that you learned in the world and the religious system, garbage, in order to learn the true wisdom of God that can change your eternity and anyone else's God uses you to serve.

You gotta let it all go NEO! Don't think you know everything there is to know about God, Jesus, the scriptures, life, or anything else, and don't consider yourself more highly than you ought!

Let all those who call upon the name of Jesus become fools for Him that we may become wise men and women of God!

In Jesus Name,

Tyrone

Renewing Your Mind (series): You Are What You Think!

What do you think about all day? Do you meditate on the word of God? Or is your mind on the cares of this world?

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, and David the second king of Israel, understood how important the mind is, they knew the secret to overcoming this world, Satan, and the flesh that our souls inhabit.

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Psalm 119:15-16, 97, 99

I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

No wonder David was a man after God's own heart!

If you spend your day thinking about your job, your spouse, kids, finances, your favorite T.V. show, hobbies, or who's leading in the standings of professional sports, then your mind needs to be renewed! Especially if you're a professing Christian!

Martha was worrying about her sister not helping her in the house, but she should have been doing what Mary was doing, listening and meditating on the words of Jesus!

Luke 10:38-42

"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Even Peter's mind was still in need of renewal after years of being taught by Jesus Himself!

Matthew 16:21-23

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Are you mindful of the things of God? Or the things of men?

As you think in your heart and mind, so you will be!

In Jesus,
Tyrone