I considered calling this “Lean Not On Your Own Understanding”. Or “My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts”. But “Limitations of Logic” sat better with me.
For context, I’m a logical guy. My dad was a math teacher, and I’m a chess enthusiast. I think logic is a great thing, and one of our greatest gifts as humans, i.e. our ability to reason. But I also think it has limitations, and that, if we aren’t acutely aware of them, they can derail us spiritually. Let me explain.
Have you ever played a game of chess and made what seemed like the best possible move, only to realize moments later that there was a much better option you completely overlooked?
That’s often how decision-making works in life.
We use the minds God has given us and try to make the best choices possible with the information available to us. Yet later, with the benefit of hindsight, we often see that there was a better path. We simply couldn’t see it at the time.
That is what I want to highlight in this article… that we humans are limited… physically, but also in our thinking. We can’t see clearly into the future. Most of us have even limited understandings of the past. And so, if we lean too heavily on our minds – our own logic – to make decisions, we will consistently walk away with regret. Mere human intellect is not enough to withstand the dark forces currently ruling the world as we know it.
So is the solution then to rely on our feelings? Certainly, I think God can and does use feelings to guide people; and I’ve heard it said that one of the more prominent ways the Holy Spirit prompts people is through a feeling, or a burden, somewhere in their heart. I definitely don’t want to discount feelings in our quest to follow God and be led by His spirit.
That said, feelings too can deceive us. They can tempt us to do what’s most convenient, instead of what’s most loving. They can cause us to be very unstable, tossed and turned by the whim of our most current emotion, instead of firm and stable in what we do and are. And, if 21st century Pentecostalism has shown us anything, they can lead us into downright error, spiritually, and straight to the pits of hell if left unchecked. No, I’m not advocating following feelings as the solution, either.
What I’m pushing for, instead, is a more holistic approach to finding God’s will and making decisions. One that doesn’t totally ignore logic, but doesn’t make decisions based solely on human reasoning alone. One that doesn’t discount feelings, but realizes they shouldn’t be the sole basis for our deeper decisions, either.
What I am suggesting is that, when it comes time to make a decision, we look to God. The Bible says if any man thinks himself wise, let him become a fool, so that he can become wise. (1 Corinthians 3:18) In other words, if you’re so sure of your own intelligence and wisdom and human logic, you need to set all that aside, and become like a little child, so that God can teach you. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9); and it’s only by forsaking our own thoughts, and asking God to show us His, that we can find true wisdom. Not our own, limited, short-sighted “wisdom” that may look good today, but proves itself stupid tomorrow. No, God’s eternal, omniscient wisdom, which ultimately is summarized in a word: love. Not love just for us, so we can use it to our own selfish desires and ambitions over other people. No, love for everyone – all humanity – a love most clearly symbolized by a cross.
So, the next time you need to make a decision, do think about it. Do “reason it out”. But don’t stop there. Because God may have a plan you can’t even see, for reasons you can’t even imagine; and you’ll never find out if you don’t take time to ask Him. Will you?
Reclaiming The Way 