THE TRUE INTELLECTUALS ARE NOT LIMITED BY WHAT THEY KNOW, BUT "WHO' THEY KNOW

 IS YOUR INTELLECT BASED ON WHAT YOU KNOW OR WHO YOU KNOW?

“…the renewing of your MIND…”  (Romans 12:2 KJV).

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The human intellect is that part of the mind in which thought takes place. Human intellect is the place where human rationale is reflected upon, information is weighted, education is considered, and perceptions impact decisions; good or bad; right or wrong.

The importance of renewing your intellect is because it often interferes with God’s Sovereign intellect and revelation knowledge. “…For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom…” (1 Corinthians 1:25 KJV).

The human intellect is often a concrete and inflexible library of collective human information in which the mind uses to inform decisions, directions, and worldviews. “….Don't put your confidence in … people; there is no help for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).

The human intellect is used to reflect rationally (sometimes emotionally) on decisions, directions, and worldviews which rely heavily on one’s personal, inner library of information. “…LEAN NOT unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

Human intellect, therefore, impact and inform decisions, directions, and worldviews that in turn impact and inform right or wrong conduct. “…trust in the Lord … and he shall DIRECT thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

The mind, as we determined earlier, is located IN the heart. “…For out of the HEART come evil THOUGHTS…” (Matthew 15:18-19 NIV). “Jesus knew what they were THINKING and asked, “Why are you THINKING these things IN YOUR HEART?” (Luke 5:22 NIV).

The human intellect (mind) is part of the HEART community that impacts the inner life of thoughts and contemplative rationale. It is the human intellect, with its library of collective human information, which informs an individual’s practices, ways, and purposes “…And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways” (Judges 2:19 NLT).

Human intellect, with its library of collective human information, informs individuals whether to follow God’s desires or follow their OWN desires. “…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).

Many times if human intellect comes up against God’s sovereign intellect, man will choose his or her library of collective human information. “….But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

Human intellect - no matter how highly praised in the natural world, or revered, or applauded, or astute according to the intellectual communities -without God,  that human intellect will be incapable of comprehending God’s awesome truths. “…But people who aren’t spiritual CAN’T RECEIVE these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and THEY CAN’T UNDERSTAND IT…” (1 Corinthians 2 NLT).

Often the human intellect depends on its OWN skills, abilities, and libraries of collective human information and sets itself against God in blatant rebellion. “…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other…” (Galatians 5 NLT).

In addition, the human intellect, with its library of collective human information, will tell a person NOT to serve God especially if it goes against his or her contemplative rationale. ^“For I know how stubborn and obstinate you are. Your necks are as UNBENDING AS IRON. Your heads are as HARD AS BRONZE…” (ISAIAH 48:4 NLT). ^“

The human intellect can often intellectualize an individual right out of the dependence upon indwelling faith and into unbelief. “…Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). “…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt (disrespect)? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?” (Daniel 14:11 NIV).

The human intellect, with its collective human information, is usually based on long-standing, historical, established, and scientific bodies of information. “…you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition’…” (Mark 7:6-8 NLT).

Human intellect heavily supports a culturally intellectual way of thinking that can often stand in opposition to God’s truth. “…You skillfully ….hold on to YOUR OWN tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT). “…they have stubbornly followed THEIR OWN desires…” (JERMIAH 9:14 NLT).

Because of established libraries of collective human information, human intellect can become hostile toward God’s sovereign truths. “…The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so…” (Romans 8:7 NIV).

 Human intellect can actually blind the minds of individuals from true enlightenment and wisdom. “…In whom the god of this world HATH BLINDED THE MINDS OF THEM WHICH BELIEVE NOT, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them…” (2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV).

The human intellect, with its library of collective, human information can cause human pride. “…We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP while love builds up…” (1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV).

Human intellect and its library of collective human information can NOT sanctify you or made you more Christ-like. Only a FOOL would believe human intellect is spiritually transforming and it is NOT. “…How FOOLISH can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” (Galatians 3:3 NLT). “…he said unto them, O FOOLS, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken…” (Luke 24:25 KJV).

Human intellect needs renewal. “…be renewed in the spirit of your mind…” (Ephesians 4:23 KJV). The library of collective human information is thus replaced by the collective holy knowledge of God’s word. “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

Human intellect needs converting and regeneration too. “…put on the new man, which is RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE after the image of him that created him…” (Colossians 3:10 KJV).

Being “renewed in knowledge” will renew the information that informs one’s conduct and leads to a life in service to God’s will and God’s purpose. “…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

“…[You]… have the mind of Christ” (1 CORINTHIANS 2:16 KJV). Therefore, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5 KJV). A renewed mind is a regenerated mind and will be in sync with Christ’s mind. Jesus “…emptied himself…” (Philippians 2:7 NASB). “…He (Jesus)…[completely]… entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).  No matter how much human intellect we have; “…we are not sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV).

God is after man’s heart and ALL that it contains (including human intellect) with the purpose of cleaning that heart. “...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God zooms in on the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). God knows it is “…from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).

The heart and ALL that it contains “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).  

Human intellect impacts one’s way of thinking. Without the indwelling knowledge of God to inform conduct the mouth will reveal the content of the heart. “…The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45 NIV).

“…So letting your sinful nature CONTROL YOUR MIND leads to death. But letting the Spirit CONTROL YOUR MIND leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you…” (Romans 8:6-9 NLT). The human intellect controlled by the Spirit reveals a renewed mind or a new way of THINKING.

To renew human intellect: 1. Let “…Christ ….dwell in your hearts by faith …” (ROMANS 8:29 & Ephesians 3:17 KJV). 2. Remember, God has “…dealt to every man the measure of faith...” (Romans 12:3 KJV). 3. “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). 4. “…It shall be done to you according to your faith…" (Matthew 9:29 NASB). 5. “… [You]… can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [you]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). 6. Your responsibility is to “…BELIEVE on Him (empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit) whom he (God) hath sent…” (John 6:28-29 KJV). “…we are not sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “….Apart from [Christ]…you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

God will NOT force you to stop relying on human intellect; it is your CHOICE. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19). “…Jesus said… I am the life…..” (John 11:25 KJV). “…BELIEVE on Him whom he (God) hath sent…” (John 6:28-29 KJV).

Once you CHOOSE to stop relying on human intellect and rely upon the indwelling spirit of faith; ask God to help you. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us…” (1 John 5:14 KJV). “…You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.  Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it...” (John 14:12-14 NLT).

God helps you by empowering and enabling you through the indwelling Holy Spirit to renew your intellect. “…God which worketh in [you]… both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…That he would grant [you]… according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). ^“…May the God of peace, … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us (in the human intellect) what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

“…It shall be done to you according to your [indwelling Holy Spirit of]… Faith…" (Matthew 9:29 NASB).

SORRY, BUT SOME THINGS CAN "ONLY" BE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH REVELATION AND NOT INTELLECT

            ENLIGHTEN

UNDERSTANDING THROUGH REVELATION

“…LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING…” (PROVERBS 3:5 KJV).

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The bible admonishes us not to trust in our own understanding about life. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

To understand can mean to distinguish, or to know, or have the aptitude to discern one thing from another, or be aware of the meaning of something. To understand can also mean to have the ability to reflect rationally about matters pertaining to life or godliness. Understanding is encouraged.  “…Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and WITH ALL THEY GETTING GET UNDERSTANDING…” (Proverbs 4:7 KJV).

Most understanding comes from cognitive, emotional, or intellectual awareness (mind/heart) derived from human efforts, but the ability to truly understand comes from God. “…THE LORD GIVE THEE UNDERSTANDING IN ALL THINGS…” (2 Timothy 2:7 KJV).

Human understanding is limited to one’s knowledge of something or their personal experiences. Human understanding of life has been broken and damaged by sin and cannot be relied upon to direct you in things pertaining to life and godliness. God gives you “...ALL things (including understanding) that pertain unto life and godliness…” (John 19:30; 2 Peter 1:3 KJV).

Relying upon human understanding is like asking for failure in many instances. In every manner, for every concern, or decision, and in all your ways acknowledge God. “…In all thy ways acknowledge him…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

Acknowledging God in everything that concerns you is recognizing that God’s understanding of life FAR exceeds yours. In addition, not only do you prefer God’s understanding of everything that pertains to life and godliness, but you totally trust it. “…He shall direct thy paths…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). When you trust in the Lord with ALL your heart you will securely rely on him for help and direction.

You CAN NOT rely on your carnal understanding. This God-given life far exceeds man’s ability to understand that life. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how UNSEARCHABLE are his judgments, and his ways PAST FINDING OUT (or understanding)! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV). “…GOD IS GREATER THAN WE CAN UNDERSTAND.  His years cannot be counted…” (Job 36:26 NLT).

Trusting in the Lord with all thine heart is recognition that He is the ONLY one trustworthy. “….Don't put your confidence in … people [including yourself]… there is NO HELP for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).

It doesn’t matter how educated you are, how rationale, how wealthy, how experienced, how astute, or how famous you are; trust God only. “…we are [NOT]… sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT).

King Jehoshaphat was an experienced soldier. He had adequate human knowledge regarding war, but when he came against enemies he could not, within himself, understand how he could defeat them; he acknowledged God.

“…the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.). Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance.” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).  

He acknowledged God. “... HE PRAYED, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. …We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’ …O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” …” (2 Chronicles 20: 1-30 NLT).

Jehoshaphat did not have the human understanding necessary to come up with a plan to defeat the vast army.  “…As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph…” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

Jehoshaphat decided to trust God and not depend on his own understanding. God spoke to him through a prophet. “…HE SAID, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you …Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

King Jehoshaphat did not rely on his human understanding, but trusted God. God used Jahaziel to send a message to him and he acknowledged God’s guidance. “…Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

Jehoshaphat didn’t try to understand God’s methods, but put his total confidence in God. “…At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them.

After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.

….On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today. …the Lord had given them victory over their enemies.

They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets …When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side… (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

King Jehoshaphat is a witness to the WORK of indwelling faith unhindered or limited by human understanding, and an indwelling faith that is empowered with confident trust that rest in the sovereignty of God.

When you lean on your own understanding it can often be in opposition of God’s solution and God’s sovereignty. The sinful nature DARKENS human understanding. “…They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).

Therefore, darkened, human understanding certainly DOES NOT and CAN NOT give light to spiritual or biblical matters AT ALL. “….There is none that understandeth…” (Romans 3:11a KJV). "My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good..." (Jeremiah 4:22 NIV). “…They are darkened in their understanding …” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).

Some things can only be understood IF God reveals them to you. “…Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has REVEALED THIS TO YOU. YOU DID NOT LEARN this from any human being…” (Matthew 16:17 NLT). “….When we tell you these things, we DO NOT use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words GIVEN TO US by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual CAN’T RECEIVE these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and THEY CAN’T UNDERSTAND IT, for only those who are spiritual CAN UNDERSTAND what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But WE UNDERSTAND these things, for we have the mind of Christ…” (1 Corinthians 2 NLT).

The human understanding needs to be ENLIGHTENED.