Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding
Faith is hindered by reliance on human wisdom, and we must trust God with all our hearts.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the dangers of relying on human wisdom, illustrating how Eve's choice to seek knowledge led her away from faith. He points out that the spies' negative report delayed Israel's entry into the Promised Land, highlighting how human understanding can lead to unbelief. Simpson also notes that the Jewish leaders' adherence to tradition prevented them from accepting Christ, as they sought honor from men rather than from God. The sermon calls for complete trust in God, urging believers to lean not on their own understanding.
Text
Faith is hindered by reliance upon human wisdom, whether our own or the wisdom of others. The devil's first bait to Eve was an offer of wisdom, and for this she sold her faith. Ye shall be as gods, he said, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5); and from that hour she began to know and she ceased to trust. It was the spies who postponed the Land of Promise to Israel. It was their "evil report" after searching out the land that led to the awful outbreak of unbelief and effectively shut the doors of Canaan to a whole generation.
It is very significant that the names of those spies are nearly all suggestive of human wisdom, greatness and fame.
So in the days of Christ, it was the bondage of the Jews to the traditions of their fathers and the opinions of men that kept them back from receiving Him. How can ye believe, He asked, which receive honour one of another; and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? (John 5:44). Let us trust Him with all our hearts and not lean upon our own understanding.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Human Wisdom
- The Consequences of Human Wisdom
- The Call to Trust God
- Letting go of human wisdom
- Seeking God's honour
Key Quotes
“Ye shall be as gods, he said, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5); and from that hour she began to know and she ceased to trust.” — A.B. Simpson
“How can ye believe, He asked, which receive honour one of another; and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? (John 5:44)” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must let go of our reliance on human wisdom and trust God with all our hearts.
- Seeking God's honour is more important than seeking honour from others.
- Unbelief can be a result of our own understanding and the opinions of others.