Human Reasoning and Relating to God
[4] We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. [5] We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NLT)
What are the human reasonings Paul is referring to here that make up a stronghold in the mind?
For one, man’s idea of God is often based on human reasoning and becomes the accepted belief that will be argued over and defended. For example, if one experiences authority as harsh and punitive, one easily can develop a similar idea about God. It just makes sense to them. If someone’s paradigm of God has been with them since early childhood, then of course it will seem natural and unquestionable. Human reasoning often erects an image of God that is not good, not helpful and not true. Inevitably, it becomes a proud obstacle that prevents the person from actually knowing God, relating to God, or truly trusting God.
In the scripture above, Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to destroy these arguments and proud obstacles which are founded in human reasoning. He says the only way to destroy these insidious strongholds is to confront them with God’s mighty weapons: the gospel, the love of God which includes all the fruits of the Spirit, as well as words of Truth.
Paul warns against using worldly weapons such as condemnation, fear, control, manipulation, or demand. These “weapons” ultimately do not work. We know this from experience and yet we continue in the insanity of doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Human reasoning can create barriers to truly knowingGod.
Recognizing these false beliefs is crucial so let’s look at a few that both Judi and I have experienced:
Punisher: an old man in the sky with a furrowed brow, very disappointed in me. He is watchful, distant, punitive, wrathful, obsessed with sin and rules. He can’t stand any being who is less than pure.
Judge: one who loves me but whose law has a higher value than his love. He’s content to punish people eternally because He cares more about His rules than He does about me.
Convictor: Corrector of all my sins, convicting me of all the parts of me that are wrong and need improving. Continually sin conscious.
A Code to Solve: God is good and wants to bless me with goodness in life with health, prosperity, good relationships. But it is up to me to figure out how to access the good He wants to give me.
Power to Seek: A grand, mysterious being who can bequeath goodness to me if I can accomplish a myriad of certain tasks that will finally please Him. Like being on the yellow brick road, I am eternally seeking Him.
Recognizing these false arguments is a first step toward a better, more complete understanding of who God is and engaging with Him. Ultimately, we have discovered the goodness of God and landed on the full expression of God which is LOVE.
LOVE: a Person who loves each created being as a dearly beloved chid, understands us; who has gently and with great care imbedded Himself in us and teaches us from the inside out. He enjoys us, never leaves us, reminds us of who we really are. We begin to take on His nature through love rather than fear.
A strong spiritual foundation is built on understanding God's love and overcoming the human reasoning that distorts our perceptions of Him. By embracing this truth, we navigate life’s storms with confidence and peace.
We love and believe in you,