Sunday Sermon: Rely Not on The Foolishness of Your Thinking

by Minister Denise N. Fyffe

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV).

Today, I feel the responsibility of this ministry on my shoulders. I am convinced that the wisdom of man is foolishness. The thoughts, hopes and desires we have are foolish and many times our most sincere efforts are also foolishness.

Why? Because they go against the will of God.

Have you ever done something and believe that it is for a good reason that God wants you to do this and that? But in hindsight you start to doubt as you see the futility in your efforts? I feel like that sometimes. But still, it is God that keeps me going, for He does not judge like man. He judges like God, and He is fair, forgiving and a Father.

There are times when I do give up and say God. I leave this to you because I cannot wrap my head around it. And that is what is wrong. I am trying to do it with my head and my strength. But this life, this ministry is not my own. It is the Lord’s.

It is He that sent me, so it is His plan that must be executed. I am but a vessel to be used.

This year – after doing a heavy lift over the past four years and shouldering many burdens – I decided to focus on me. I needed rest. I needed healing. I needed peace of mind. I needed love. I needed self-care. I needed peace. I needed me time. I needed forgiveness, understanding, grace and more grace.

I Need Mercy

Lord, I need mercy. I need mercy to speak for me. In fact, I need it to shout from the roof tops and dance on the skyscrapers of the world. Especially those tall ones in Dubai.

This year was all about Denise and tending to her needs. God has been faithful and merciful. Spending this time of self-care and being mindful I believe I am coming to myself. I give Him all the glory and honor because He has been faithful.

I have seen him send mighty spiritual help like I have never had in my entire life. I see Him bringing back my strength and focus. I see Him doing things and shifting the plains of my life and turning them into mountains. I see Him and yet I struggle to see Him.

That is battle.

My life has seen many battles. Not because I went looking for it, but because of who I am. Because of His purpose for my life. Because of the family in which I was born and because I had no one on my side for a very long time. But all that has changed. He has sent help and mighty help.

God is not dumb or blind. He sees everything. I know this because He shows me many things in the night hours. He takes me back and forth on this earth and shows me many things. Like my daily life. Like what my enemies are planning. Like what will happen in the world. Like who will come across my path and like the plans and strategies of the enemies. Like the mistakes I will make and like how he will rescue me.

Isn’t God awesome?

I am thankful for His protection, because the spiritual world can be a scary place if you trod about without God.

I see when so called friends whisper secrets to my enemies. I see when God allows wars and when enemies pursue the innocent. I see demons like themselves, vile and frightening and I see angels like people. I see the spiritual world, where everything begins and is executed. I see what is now. I see what is past and I see what is to come.

I fear sometimes. And at times I stand boldly. Mostly, I am curious because I am like a child.

Only God understands the fullness of everything, especially for what is to come. Man is like worm without Him. That is why we should really cry for mercy and understanding for much that we do is foolishness. Come Lord, let your servants hear your voice and deliver them.

Now, to avoid making this mistake of relying on our foolish thinking, let’s examine some examples from the bible.

Foolish Thinking Examples in the Bible

The Bible is replete with examples of individuals who leaned on their own understanding, leading to dire consequences. Let’s examine these instances and learn why we must rely on God’s wisdom instead.

Adam and Eve – Disobedience in Eden

Adam and Eve, the first humans, chose to follow their own understanding rather than God’s command. In Genesis 3:6 (KJV), we read, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” The outcome? They were cast out of Eden, and sin entered the world (Genesis 3:23-24).

King Saul – Impatience and Rebellion

King Saul is another example of foolish thinking. He disobeyed God’s command by offering a burnt sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel. 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (KJV) states, “And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue.” Saul’s kingdom was eventually torn from him, demonstrating the dire consequences of his actions.

The Rich Fool – Materialism and Self-Reliance

Jesus told the parable of the rich fool who trusted in his wealth. In Luke 12:19-20 (KJV), we hear his words, “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 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?” The rich man’s reliance on material wealth led to his spiritual demise.

Peter – Denial of Christ

Peter’s denial of Jesus is another poignant example. Despite his confidence in his loyalty, Peter denied Jesus three times. Mark 14:30 (KJV) recounts, “And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.” Peter’s overconfidence in his own strength led to his moment of weakness.

The Israelites – Unbelief and Complaining

The Israelites repeatedly doubted God’s provision and protection, exhibiting foolish thinking through their complaints and lack of faith. Numbers 14:2-3 (KJV) shows their lament, “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!” Their disbelief resulted in a 40-year delay in reaching the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33-34).

Trust in the Lord

These biblical accounts highlight the perils of relying on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) wisely advises, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” The wisdom of God far surpasses human understanding, and His guidance leads to life and peace.

As we reflect on these stories, let us be stirred to seek God’s wisdom in all our decisions. Let us heed the warning of 1 Corinthians 3:19 (KJV), “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” May we cultivate a heart of trust and obedience, knowing that our Heavenly Father desires the best for us.

Beloved, let this be a solemn warning to us all. Relying on our own wisdom is a path fraught with peril and disappointment. Let us surrender our intellect and pride, embracing the divine wisdom that comes from above. As James 1:5 (KJV) encourages, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

May we choose to rely not on the foolishness of our thinking but on the infinite wisdom of God. In doing so, we will walk securely, guided by His truth and light.

Amen.

The Invitation

I invite you today to take a deep look and reflect on your life. Is God calling you to be baptized and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you been ignoring him? Have you been facing immense hardships and challenges? What can you do to take the first step and trust that he will help you to take the next step?

Be encouraged.

Be bold. Answer the Call.

In Jesus mighty name, Amen.

*****

About the writer:

Minister Denise N. Fyffe is a devoted Christian, author, and servant of God, whose life is guided by her faith and values. Since accepting Jesus Christ at a young age, she has made it her mission to share her journey and knowledge of the Bible with others. In addition to her passion for writing, Fyffe is actively involved in community outreach, Christian mentorship, and ministering the Word of God.