Unintelligent people are not that way because they were born that way, they became that way because they fostered a mentality based on a desire to be superior to others.
Satan was the most powerful and beautiful of angels in heaven, but he was not satisfied with that position; he wanted to be more powerful than God Who created him.
This is what we observe in those who have chosen self-exaltation over love and humility. They tend to be easily offended, raging at the silliest and smallest of matters. Sort of like the way a child has a tantrum when they are told no when they want something. Correcting an insecure person who has developed a lack of intelligence because of their stubbornness is interpreted as a serious attack that must be battled.
Was it intelligence that led Judas to betray Christ? NO, he got nothing out of it except a few pieces of silver and suicide.
Was it intelligent for Joseph's brothers to throw him into a pit and sell him into slavery? NO! They got a momentary sense of superiority for having gotten rid of him, but it gained them nothing else. And, one day many years later, they ended up bowing to the brother they hated just as the dream of Joseph said would happen.
The simplest of minds can be intelligent in interpersonal relationships because they are satisfied with being who they are and enjoy kindness over power. Those who walk with Christ are not interested in needing to seem smart and powerful.
There is a furious competitive spirit in those who cannot tolerate facing that they were wrong or in need of change. These people seethe continually in their hearts with jealousy and anger toward those they think are better than them. Those they hate have no interest in being better than anyone else, but the one who is jealous thinks they do because the jealous one wants to be superior more than anything else in their lives. Their heart is full of anger, jealousy, and revenge for nothing real.
They often accuse those who are loving and humble of being arrogant to take the focus off of their own intense feeling of inferiority.
James 3:16: "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice".
Proverbs 27:4: "Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous".
1 Corinthians 3:3: "You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature?"
Galatians 5:19-21: Envy and jealousy are listed among the works of the flesh that separate people from the kingdom of God."
The one who is filled with the Holy Spirit may be tempted at times to lean into their flesh that bring wrong attitudes, but it is quickly convicted and confessed and wants to be free of the bondage of competition with others.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 Corinthians 13:4: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy..."
Jealousy gets us nowhere good, but leads to many evil things and destroys relationships. May those who are in bondage to jealousy and competitiveness pray for deliverance, that God will free them from it. When God frees us we are "free indeed."
No comments:
Post a Comment