Foolish Intellect

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. Proverbs 28:24

We live in a society that values intelligence over wisdom. But what if our intelligence means nothing without  discernment? We are so focused on what we know and how to know more that we miss this important point. So what then if knowing how to apply knowledge is just as important the knowledge itself? Doesn't that then mean we "smart" ones have as great a capacity of looking like fools as anyone else?

Before I go any further, I feel I should define some things.  A fool is merely someone who lacks judgement. Wisdom is the not only the ability to think, but to think AND act using knowledge, experience, understanding and common sense. Neither term has anything to do with book smarts or even the standard societal norm. 

I love to learn. But I realize how foolish knowledge alone can make us look. I know a lot of smart people, but not a lot of wise ones. I have a lot of knowledge in my head but I am prone to the "fool" plague like any other. Many of us have often spoken without assessing the how and what in dealing with others. We spew out knowledge, hoping to be admired for our intelligence but those who know the difference see our immaturity. We tend to think we are revealing our intelligence, when what really shows is our hearts. 

Wisdom takes place in the heart. It changes how we apply what we know. We each have to evaluate our own hearts. A good place to start is with our words and thoughts because what we think eventually comes out of our mouths. We must ask ourselves, are we just full of knowledge or are we wise? Because being set apart means we don't judge ourselves by the norm. 

Filled and Fulfilled

                      

If you have everything you want and still feel empty, then what? What if you never have all you want and feel you have no hope of ever being fulfilled? Or what if you spend your whole life seeking after things that you think will make you happy, only to be disappointed?

Many who have money and/or material possessions still feel empty. Watch one episode of "hoarders" or pay attention to the state of Hollywood and you'll see that people everywhere, of all creeds, backgrounds and colors seek fulfillment in things of this world to no avail. I know a few hoarders, successful and rich people. Those who cling to it are miserable and tormented. They spent so much time and effort protecting their money and material things that they become bitter and angry. They are so tied up in bondage even though most wouldn't admit it. 

Scripture tells us that it is the wise man who accepts that fulfillment can't be found in things of this world. So what is our problem?

1. Everything in this world is broken. 

2. We were created to have a yearning for a relationship with our creator that can only be satisfied by our Creator. 

We, believers, are just as vulnerable to seeking fulfillment in things and relationships of the world. We look for fame or money or dream jobs. So often we claim to be waiting on God all while we are so miserable. We say we want God's will but our heart says we just want our way. How do I know? I have been just as guilty.  I have been convicted of my own selfishness and my pouty attitude. 

But we are His witnesses to the world. We are the very ones who must learn to have those empty places filled by Him before we can expect to fulfill our own calling. Beloved, we weren't called to live an unfulfilled life, but one of fulfillment found solely in Him. 

We have a serious issue of unbelief in the church. God had to reveal it to my heart before I could see it in others. It's what causes our inconsistencies, and the world takes notice. We look for things of this world to fill us and when they don't, we grow discouraged. Our reactions to life's circumstances reveal where we really place our hope. 

We won't see any change in the world unless Christians first place their every hope in Jesus Christ.  Many of you are saying, " But I do!" But I ask you to look one more tme. Do you really? Is there any area of your life where when you don't get what you want, you throw an emotional two-year-old tantrum? We must be reminded that God judges the heart. 

Others need to see hope that is real. Shouldn't we be modeling true fulfillment in God alone? Because if we aren't part of the solution, we're ultimately part of the problem. 

My Lessons on Fasting

Fasting is usually taught in relation to food but it can actually be anything we willfully sacrifice for the sake of breakthroughs in an area of our life. It's ultimately our admittance that we need God. For years I did not know this. I fasted for short periods of time in my early days as a Christian but I did not see any benefits. Maybe it was because my eyes weren't yet opened, maybe I did not have enough faith, maybe I wasn't doing it expectantly or had the wrong motives. Or maybe for some of us, food is not that thing we have an issue with. Maybe we run to other things to fill us when we're empty.  

I exempted myself from fasting from food years ago because my blood sugar tends to run low. I, therefore, decided I didn't need to fast. But then the Lord laid it on my heart to fast from wine as I had been going through a difficult period of sifting. Although I did not have a problem with alcohol and didn't understand what this would accomplish, I was desperate for more of Him in my life. I had tasted healing and wanted more. I couldn't dare compromise my healing with disobedience. Even more recently I felt a fast was in order once again. This time, it took a lot of prayer to find out what needed temporary removal from my life. The results were simple-- Facebook and sweets. 

For those of you who are like I was, struggling to find the value in fasting, I feel should share my lessons. Please don't walk away thinking I am presenting myself holier than you or expecting recognition for my fasting. My personal struggle with pride would ensure this stayed between me and Him, except that I felt His call to write it and share it. That being said, here is what I have learned from fasting:

1. Fasting helps us realize just how much we rely on things to fill us when only He can. It opens our eyes to the distractions in our lives. We tend to rely on a lot of things in this world to satisfy and fill us even in the smallest of ways, causing us to forget how much we need God. We don't think these little things mean much in our hearts or lives until we do without them. But God calls believers to a life of being set apart, of reliance on Him to fill us. And yet we so easily get caught up doing what unbelievers do-- relying too much on our creature comforts that we have no ability to focus on God or that we lose desire for Him. Many of these things we rely upon are unnecessary, while others may be overly used or abused. Anything that keeps us from putting Him first or focusing on Him is an idol. Awareness has nothing to do with it. We can have tons of idols and not even know it. It doesn't make it anything less than idolatry. 

All of those things will fail to completely fill us as we all have a longing for more that only He can satisfy. We were created to be companions with Him. We were made to need Him in our empty places. God is not one to be manipulated or play along with our games when we just want Him to give us our way. He is so wise and holy that our minds can't comprehend it. He deserves our respect our primary focus. We ought to be looking to serve Him, not the other way around. It does us good to get some of those things out of the way so we can be sensitive to His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, in order to do so. 

2. Fasting isn't about being miserable but finding our happiness in the right place, the unchanging God whose greatness is beyond our full comprehension. Our faith is increased as our eyes are opened to new things. Perspective and vision changes as we begin to pray more, seek God more. He loves it when we are sincere about seeking Him. He wants to open our eyes, but we have to be willing. We begin to see His hand in everything and understand His goodwill towards us. We find more satisfaction in God than ever before as we surrender things willfully for the sake of getting more of Him. As His love begins to fill us, we realize how foolish we were to think anything else could.

3.Fasting changes our appetite and creates a new hunger. I have noticed that I want that thing I fasted from even less than I did before when I have surrendered it to Him for a period of time. It doesn't satisfy me like it once did, therefore it doesn't have the hold on me it once did. Even if that thing wasn't abused before, the idea that I want it less is a positive thing. Habits change and cravings change for the best as we surrender them to the Lord, who replaces it with a hunger for Him. 

4. Fasting helps us determine to obey God over our fleshly cravings. It requires us to say "no" to ourselves as we say "yes" to God. And we have to rely on His strength to get through the fast. Don't dare believe for one minute that we can do anything worth doing on our own. Anytime we try, we'll come out dry. A fast requires constant reliance on God for saying "no" as well as any results it produces.

Are you struggling to hear the Lord? Do you find yourself so distracted that you can't focus on Him? Do you hunger and thirst for closeness to Him? Or does something have a hold on your mind or life to cause you to believe you need it? Do you feel imprisoned and desire to be set free from any bondage? Well, my dears, I bet a fasting is in order. That thing you find most comfort in is often the place to start. Let Him show you what deliverance and healing is like...offer it up.