The Knowledge Of Fools: They Glorified Him Not As God

God calls them fools when individuals seek their knowledge that the world may call them great and learned.

Therefore, instead of seeking distinction, they must become fools in the estimation of worldly wise people, if they would become wise in the estimation of God.

The word of inspiration pronounces humans fools when they:

• Exalt their human wisdom in opposition to the wisdom of the great and mighty God

• Teach the deductions of science as truths that cannot be controverted

• Choose not to look to the Source of all wisdom and dare to enter into controversy with Him

• Make their boast of science and philosophy, and place them above Christ - the God of science and true philosophy.

• Do not see God in the works of creation nor hear His voice speaking to them out of His Word.

• Choose their own disloyal ways and do not love to retain God in their knowledge

• Follow the imagination of their own hearts and corrupt their ways before the Lord, disregarding all His requirements.

In other words when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God. 

Human ambition has been seeking for that kind of knowledge that will bring to them glory, self-exaltation, and supremacy. 

Thus Adam and Eve were worked upon by Satan until God’s restraint was snapped apart.

And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil...Genesis 3:22.

Furthermore, their education under the teacher of lies began in order that they might have the knowledge that God had refused them - to know the consequence of transgression.

Holding the truth in unrighteousness

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, 

even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; 

but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves.

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:19-25.

Thus the apostle addresses those who do not love to retain God in their knowledge, but choose their own disloyal ways, and follow the imagination of their own hearts.

Today, as in any other time of the earth's history after the fall of mankind, the servers of mammon are neglecting the free salvation offered to them, failing to recognize God, or to offer Him thanksgiving and praise.

The light of truth is offered to them, but they choose sin. They follow their own imaginations, as it was in the days of Noe, placing their desires and ambitions above all else.

God calls them fools

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 1 Corinthians 3:19.

Scientists think that with their enlarged conceptions they can comprehend the wisdom of God - that which He has done or can do.

The idea largely prevails that He is bound and restricted by His own laws. 

Thus people deny and ignore His existence, or think to explain everything, even the operations of His Spirit upon the human heart, by natural laws.

They do not believe in the supernatural, not realizing that the Author of nature's laws can work above those laws. 

They deny the claims of God, and neglect the interests of their own souls.

Nevertheless, God’s existence, His character and laws, are facts that the reasoning of humans of the highest attainments cannot overthrow.

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, 

and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, 

and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; 

that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in. Isaiah 40:12-22.

Nature reveals God

Though nature is a power, the God of nature is unlimited in power. His works interpret His character.

Those who judge God from His handiwork, will see His presence in everything. 

They behold His smile in the sunshine, and His love and care for humanity in the rich fields of autumn.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? 

there is no searching of his understanding.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength...

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; 

they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, 

and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Romans 1:22, 23, 25. 

In its human wisdom the world knows not God. Its wise men gather an imperfect knowledge of God through His created works. 

Then in their foolishness exalt nature and the laws of nature above nature's God.

Nature is an open book which reveals God. All who are attracted to nature may behold in it the God that created them. 

Those who haven't accepted the revelation God has made of Himself in Christ, will obtain only an imperfect knowledge of God in nature.

Can humans comprehend God?

In divine revelation God has given to men mysteries that are incomprehensible, to command their faith. This must be so. 

If the ways and works of God could be explained by finite minds, He would not stand as supreme.

Men may be ever searching, inquiring, learning, and yet there is an infinity beyond. 

The light is shining, ever shining with increasing brightness upon our pathway, if we but walk in its divine rays.

But there is no darkness so dense, so impenetrable, as that which follows the rejection of Heaven's light, through whatever source it may come.

Human beings have had a practical knowledge of evil. But Christ came to the world to show them that He had planted for them the tree of life, the leaves of which were for the healing of the nations.

He also declared that the divine influence of the Spirit will be with His followers unto the end. 

At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need them and will take Him at His word.

Those who think they can obtain a knowledge of God aside from His Representative, whom the Word declares is the express image of his person, will need to become fools in their own estimation before they can be wise.

Christ came as a personal Savior to the world. He represented a personal God. He ascended on high as a personal Savior, and will come again as he ascended into heaven, a personal Savior.

It is the duty and privilege of all to use reason

At the same time, there is a boundary where humans resources must cease. 

There are many things that can never be reasoned out by the strongest intellect, or discerned by the most penetrating mind.

Philosophy cannot determine the ways and works of God. The human mind cannot measure infinity. 

Jehovah is the fountain of all wisdom, truth and knowledge.

There are high attainments that humankind can reach in this life through the wisdom that God imparts. 

But there is an infinity beyond that will be the study and the joy of the saints throughout eternal ages.

The folly of those who make the world their all

The foolish rich man had received everything from God:

• the sun had been permitted to shine upon his land - for its rays fall on the just and on the unjust

• he showers of heaven descend on the evil and on the good

• the Lord had caused vegetation to flourish, and the fields to bring forth abundantly.

On the other hand, He lived as if there were no God, heaven or future life. Moreover, as if everything he possessed were his own, and he owed nothing to God or people.

The psalmist described this rich man when he wrote:

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1.

This man has lived and planned for self. He regards himself as favored above other humans, and takes credit to himself for his wise management. 

He is honored by his fellowmen as a man of good judgment and a prosperous citizen.

For men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. Psalm 49:18.

But the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. The message comes to this unfaithful steward:

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Luke 12:20.

Here is a demand that money cannot supply. The wealth he has treasured can purchase no pardon. 

In one moment that which he has toiled through his whole life to secure becomes worthless to him. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?

His broad fields and well-filled granaries pass from under his control. He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. Psalm 39:6.

In living for self he has rejected that divine love

The only thing that would be of value to him now he has not secured. He has rejected that Divine love which would have flowed out in mercy to his fellow men.

Thus he has rejected life. For God is love, and love is life. This man has chosen the earthly rather than the spiritual, and with the earthly he must pass away.

Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49:20.

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Luke 12:21.

To live for self is to perish. Covetousness, the desire of benefit for self's sake, cuts the soul off from life. It is the spirit of Satan to get, to draw to self. 

Sacrificing self for the good of others

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1 John 5:11, 12.

Wherefore Christ says: Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15.

Separated from God, leaning to their own understanding, individuals become fools. 

Yet in their own estimation, and in the estimation of others, they are often the wisest of people.

Their sayings are eagerly caught up, repeated, extolled, and adopted, while the utterances of the living God, who made heaven and earth, are disregarded because not in harmony with their ideas of science.

Could these see themselves as God views them, their attitude would change.

Conclusion

Those who would have that wisdom which is from God must become fools in the sinful knowledge of this age, in order to be wise. 

They should 

• shut their eyes, that they may see and learn no evil

• close their ears, lest they hear that which is evil and obtain that knowledge which would stain their purity of thoughts and acts

• guard their tongues, lest they utter corrupt communications and guile be found in their mouths.

Let believers in the truth for this time, turn away from authors that teach infidelity. 

Let not the works of skeptics appear on your library shelves, where your children can have access to them.

Give no place to the agents of Satan, since there is nothing by which to vindicate their doings.

A clean thing cannot come out of an unclean

Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, 

and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.

The greatest ignorance that now curses the human race is in regard to the binding claims of the law of God. It is the result of neglecting the study of the Word of God.

For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Proverbs 1:23-33.

References:

1. Man. 67, 1898; CE 108; HL 293; 8T 20; AH 404; ST Mar, 1884; HL 296; COL 257; ST Feb, 1897 - The Ellen G. White Estate

2. The Bible, King James Version (KJV)