When Reason Fails You

The ability to think is quite possibly the greatest gift given to mankind. We are not the fastest, strongest, toughest or most numerous beings of creation but our ability to think means we rule. Reasoning allows us to flourish and succeed. We can figure a way to overcome most obstacles. If we could stay united, there is much we couldn’t do (Genesis 11:6). However, even when we think we have it all figured out doesn’t mean that we are not dead wrong.

In Genesis chapter three, Eve is tempted in the garden to break the one rule that God has given to mankind. Satan is clever and makes his case with a small but profound life, “What God said isn’t true, you won’t die.” Why would Eve believe this snake over her creator?

The answer is she thought about it.

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3:6

It made sense. The tree looked good. It was edible. She wanted to know what God knew. Why wouldn’t you want to know good and evil like God did? Was God just holding them back? Why wouldn’t you want to do it?

To her, the reasoning was sound. I must have made sense to Adam because he ate as well. They, however, forgot one very important fact, you can’t out-think God.

God knew what this disobedience would entail. He knew the state they existed in and how that knowledge of it would change everything for them. Their innocence would be lost. God had been protecting them not limiting them. Now in order to protect them, they would have to be removed from Eden. Life would become a whole lot harder for everyone involved.

Folks today are still making the same mistake, thinking they can outthink God. They will ‘learn’ themselves right out of the church. They will reason their way out of heaven. They will conclude a way to disobey God commands and still be right. Assuming if it makes sense to them, then it must be how God thinks as well.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Let never be so arrogant that we think ourselves on par with God. Even if it does make sense to us, doesn’t mean it isn’t the right way. God wants us to think, to reason, to grow, to learn but we will never become so smart that we can outsmart God!

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