God's Attributes Reflected in UsНамуна

Human wisdom is futile and foolish

“They became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:21-22)

The above words are not exactly complimentary. But this is God's judgment on people who have turned away from Him. The cause of their folly lies precisely in their rejection of their Creator: “For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him ... they exchanged the truth about God for a lie.” These people themselves do not realize that their hearts are darkened because they turn away from the Light of the world.

David describes such people in Psalm 14. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds.” Their so-called wisdom has dramatic consequences!

Things can also be a little more subtle. Sometimes believers try to adapt the Gospel to the standards of worldly wisdom. However, this will not succeed. The core of the Gospel remains “foolish” in the eyes of the world. If we cannot accept that, we are in fact rejecting God's plan of salvation. Then we deceive ourselves. That is life-threatening!

The Lord is not impressed by people who think they know better than He does. “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God,” we read in 1 Corinthians 3:19. And one verse further, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

What do you think of the harsh words in today’s verse? Do you feel convicted by them?