Why do seemingly intelligent people do not-so-intelligent things? Time after time, this writer hears about and reads sad stories about people with high IQs who fall short in the area of moral discernment, sometimes leading to tragic results.
Obviously, intelligence alone is not enough to keep a person from making bad decisions. This contradicts the belief of some that better education can solve society's ills. Their reasoning goes something like this: "If we educate people about the dangers of "blank," they won't do it and thus will be spared from the unpleasant, unintended consequences of their actions."
But experience and the Bible tell us something far different. In fact, one of the most intelligent men who ever lived, could serve as a poster boy for bad choices (1 Kings 11:1-13). Ancient Israel's King Solomon, author of much of the book of Proverbs, wrote: "Keep you heart with all diligence" (Proverbs 4:23) and "Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding" (Proverbs 14:33).
Despite knowing the connection between the heart and wisdom, the king still disobeyed God by marrying foreign women who "turned his heart after other gods" (1 Kings 11:4). As a result, the Lord told him, "I will surely tear the kingdom away from you" (1 Kings 11:11).
Noah Webster is quoted in his work, "Our Christian Heritage, pg 5, as saying, "Education is useless without the Bible" (see quote); to which I whole heartedly agree!
Dear reader, the bottom line is this:
The ability to make sound and wise decisions, demands not only intelligence (Isaiah 1:18), but a heart totally devoted to God (cf. Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:14).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
Obviously, intelligence alone is not enough to keep a person from making bad decisions. This contradicts the belief of some that better education can solve society's ills. Their reasoning goes something like this: "If we educate people about the dangers of "blank," they won't do it and thus will be spared from the unpleasant, unintended consequences of their actions."
But experience and the Bible tell us something far different. In fact, one of the most intelligent men who ever lived, could serve as a poster boy for bad choices (1 Kings 11:1-13). Ancient Israel's King Solomon, author of much of the book of Proverbs, wrote: "Keep you heart with all diligence" (Proverbs 4:23) and "Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding" (Proverbs 14:33).
Despite knowing the connection between the heart and wisdom, the king still disobeyed God by marrying foreign women who "turned his heart after other gods" (1 Kings 11:4). As a result, the Lord told him, "I will surely tear the kingdom away from you" (1 Kings 11:11).
Noah Webster is quoted in his work, "Our Christian Heritage, pg 5, as saying, "Education is useless without the Bible" (see quote); to which I whole heartedly agree!Dear reader, the bottom line is this:
The ability to make sound and wise decisions, demands not only intelligence (Isaiah 1:18), but a heart totally devoted to God (cf. Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:14).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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