2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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WHY SO STUPID?
LORD’S DAY, FEBRUARY 6
Mark 8:1-21
Hosea 4:6
“…How is it that ye
do not understand?”
WHY SO STUPID?
As Christians, we should not be stupid, but clever and wise. There is no reason not to be, for we have the best and wisest of all teachers—the Holy Spirit Himself, and a most perfect and wise Book—the Holy Bible itself. Psalm 119:99 says, “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.” 1 John 2:27 says, “But the anointing [i.e. the Holy Spirit] which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
But why are we at times so stupid? We see here the Lord chiding His disciples, “How is it that ye do not understand?” (Mark 8:21). Jesus expected them to understand, but they still did not.
There are a couple of reasons for our stupidity. First, we are stupid when we fail to know God and what He can do. Jesus had already performed two stupendous feeding miracles—the 5000 (with 5 loaves and 2 fishes) and the 4000 (with 7 loaves and a few fishes), and with the miracles, taught many things about Himself and His Kingdom. His teachings and miracles show that He is our Provider. He knows our needs and cares for us (Mark 8:2,3). We are stupid to doubt God. We are stupid when we live like we have no Father in heaven.
Second, we are stupid when we fail to see the spiritual dangers around us. And he charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?” (Mark 8:15-17). Leaven is yeast put in bread to make it rise. Here it is used to refer to the pervasive doctrines of false religion and false philosophy. The disciples should be more concerned for their minds—that they be not poisoned by dangerous doctrines than worry about their stomachs and where their next meal would come from. Don’t be stupid!
THOUGHT: Read the warning in Hosea 4:6.
PRAYER: (Pray for wisdom and understanding.)