The Set-Up:
Be a fool! Wait, this can’t be right?!
They say that knowledge is power, and we all know that no one wants to look foolish. Often, there are many in our culture who use and abuse information for their own personal ends. This is most apparent in social media, politics, and unfettered religious zeal (not the good kind). Great proclamations are made based on very little and or significantly slanted evidence, while wisdom and humility are often absent.
In the first chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul fires back at mankind’s intellectual arrogance and compares it with God’s wisdom (v. 25). Needless to say, it pales in comparison! While Paul makes a general contrast, he primarily zeroes in on the legitimacy of the Gospel message. He openly admits that it is foolishness to the world, but for believers, it is the power of God (v.18). This idea simply did not fit the worldview of the predominant culture, and it’s no less true now than it was then!
So, what does God do? Does He raise up more erudite, better-educated people to defend the Gospel? No! He uses the “foolish” (you and me) to share the message. The fact is true wisdom is not primarily found in our (or the world’s) understanding but is fully realized in Jesus because He is wisdom personified (v. 30). This is not to say learning and knowledge are unimportant - we need experts in philosophy, religion, and science! That said, it should never trump God’s wisdom. Ultimately, worldly wisdom alone falls short. Hence, it is better to be a “fool” in Christ than to be wise in the eyes of the world!
Passage to Read
Reflection Questions:
Do you feel intimidated by arguments that seek to refute the Gospel?
Do you lean on your own wisdom more than God’s?
How can this passage help you become more confident in sharing your faith?
Prayer Idea:
Ask God to help you to look to His wisdom rather than your own. Pray that He will give you more confidence or humility (whichever is needed) in sharing your faith. Ask for help from the Holy Spirit to guide you when you speak.
This devotional was written by Chad Davidson.