In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the
Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You
have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to
babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
Luke 10:21
Our own wisdom can be
a hindrance to hearing a word from God. Like success, wisdom can
delude us to think we should take the role of teacher rather than that
of a student. Our knowledge lulls us into thinking we have just the
right amount of wisdom to meet any challenge. Believing we
are wise tempts us to evaluate the shortcomings of others, yet be unaware
of how much growth is still required in our selves.
The Pharisees were the
religious experts of their day. They possessed much information about
God, but they had no personal relationship with him. Their knowledge
clouded their view of their condition before God. Jesus thanked His
Father that it was not to be these "experts" that the Father revealed spiritual
truth, but rather to those who were humble and who recognized their need
for God's revelation.
It is often met with
much surprise when a spiritual leader experiences spiritual failure.
It shouldn't be. Religious people with the most knowledge are sometimes
the ones least responsive to God's Word. Knowledge can easily lead
to pride, and pride impedes us from seeking God.
Is there a way to know
when you are a "Pharisee?" Yes, there is:
~
When you do not have
a teachable spirit.
~
When you become defensive
if a fellow Christian shares a concern about your spiritual condition.
~
When you do not seek
to hear from God, believing you already know what He thinks.
~
When you feel you are
capable of helping others in their spiritual lives, but no one can teach
you anything.
~
Don't allow the limited
knowledge you have now to blind you to the great truths God still wants
to reveal to you. And if he chooses to reveal it to you through
a "babe" in Christ- who are you to doubt the Word?
