Throughly Furnished

The doctrine of Sola Scriptura (Latin for scripture alone), a pillar of the Protestant Reformation, is a topic of continued debate. The claim is that the Bible is the only spiritual authority we have to guide us in our spiritual walk, and that we are each individually responsible for how we interpret and follow it.

This debate isn’t about whether Scripture is true and profitable to study; it’s ultimately about whether we’re each required to search the Scriptures to find the truth for ourselves  (Mt 7:7), or whether we can rightly delegate this to others.

Another way to frame this is to ask whether God holds each of us accountable for our beliefs and actions. (Ro 2:6-9) If God wants us to trust others as a final authority, how can He judge us for doing so and then acting accordingly if we are misled, as long as we do what we’re told?

And how might we determine who qualifies to be such an authority (Re 2:2), apart from validating their claims against our own understanding of Scripture? (Ti 1:9)

Jesus calls us to search out the truth in the Scriptures for ourselves (Jn 5:39), and to be wary of those who would mislead us (Co 2:8); if we end up in error, we have no one to blame but ourselves. (2Th 2:12)

Scripture is sufficient to make us wise unto salvation (2Ti 3:15) and to fully equip us for godly living. (16-17) We must each be diligent to understand and interpret Scripture for ourselves (2Ti 2:15), and do the best we can to follow what we learn. (Ja 1:21-22) Believers can hear Christ directly and be taught by Him through the Holy Spirit. (Ep 4:21) We have no need for any other authority. (1Jn 2:27)

God tells us to check everything we’re taught against Scripture and to reject anything remotely inconsistent with it. (Is 8:20) Turning from Scripture is equivalent to turning from God (Jn 12:48); He treads down all those who err from His commands: there are no excuses. (Ps 119:118)

Common opposition to Sola Scriptura focuses on verses encouraging us to follow tradition (2Th 2:15) and apostolic teaching (2Ti 2:22), yet none of these contexts indicate that such teachings or traditions are extra-biblical, or that believers are not accountable to first validate everything for ourselves in Scripture. (Ac 17:11) Scripture gives no man ultimate spiritual authority over another: the right to tell anyone what to believe or how to act. (1Co 11:3)

What mortals are qualified to stand between us and God and tell us all what to believe? (2Co 1:24) How is this different from adding to God’s Word? (Pr 30:6) Pity anyone positioning themselves in this role, usurping the role of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 23:8)

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12 thoughts on “Throughly Furnished”

  1. If we were to consider the possibility of delegating the welfare for our eternal souls to an earthly organization, would it make sense to choose one that has been virulently antisemitic for nearly its entire history?

    Or one which has hunted down and murdered untold tens of thousands (at least) for disagreeing with it?

    Or one entirely responsible for what we now call The Dark Ages? deliberately keeping Scripture hidden from the masses?

    Or one which burnt people alive for trying to make the Bible accessible all?

    Or one that was openly complicit with Nazis in the Holocaust?

    Or one which has consistently covered up and enabled the sexual molestation of its young boys?

    Just askin’ …

  2. From my experience, most Protestants and Evangelicals claiming Sola Scriptura don’t actually apply it to themselves; they still delegate their responsibility for validating truth to their pastor, church or denomination — which claim to believe in Sola Scriptura. This is not really any different from the RCC.

    I find VERY few people willing to seek and knock until they find and verify the truth for themselves.

  3. To be complete, we should consider the Aaronic priesthood’s God-given authority to adjudicate civil conflicts (De 17:8-12; 19:16-20) and to instruct Israel in managing leprosy (De 24:8). These are evidently not matters of personal faith per se but matters of civil order and communal health. Whenever we are in community, we must defer to civil authority to maintain public safety and well-being.

    The Levitical priests are also tasked with teaching God’s Law (Le 10:11), to help Israel understand for themselves what God has commanded. Yet the people have always had individual access to Torah so they can read and study it for themselves (De 27:8); they are responsible to verify for themselves what they are being taught. (Ps 119:111-112) They (and we) are commanded to memorize Torah and meditate in it continually (De 6:6-9), seeking to fully understand and embrace God’s way from the heart. (Ps 119:18, 99-100)

    So, it appears that Levitical authority is perfectly consistent with Sola Scriptura.

  4. Some additional thoughts in support of Sola Scriptura.

    Accountability: All who have access to the Bible are going to be judged based on the words of Scripture: no other authority. This proves we only have one spiritual authority: Scripture.
    -(Jn 12:48)- “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
    -(Mt 7:24-27)- “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

    Necessary and Sufficient: We are commanded not to add anything to God’s written Word, or to diminish it in any way. This implies the written Word is both necessary and sufficient as our rule of faith and practice. Claiming there is any other authority, even one which merely claims to authoritatively clarify what is in the Word, is in my mind, adding to God’s Word. It effectively claims to have additional words from God to supplement what we already have in Scripture. God’s design is to preserve for us an infallible source of truth which does not depend on sinful men so we may seek the truth with all confidence that He will guide us to it. I believe it must be this way in order for us to have this confidence in pursuing the truth.
    -(De 4:2)- “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
    -(Pr 30:6)- “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
    -(2Ti 3:15-17)- “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

    Confidence: the foundation of our faith must not depend on men; we can safely only depend on God. All men are sinful, even the best of Christians. We are warned to not elevate anyone above what the scripture says about Man.
    -(Ps 18:8-9)- It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
    -(1Co 4:6)- And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

    False Teachers Predicted: Both Paul and Peter predicted false religion would soon rise up to counterfeit Christianity and deceive many. We only have one way to identify it: Sola Scriptura.
    -(2Pe 2:1-2)- But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
    -(Ac 20:29-30)- For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

  5. Here is a link to a Catholic arguing against Sola Scriptura (SS).

    His claim is that when the Christian Church started in Acts 2, and during the Apostolic Age (30-100 CE), doctrinal authority was vested in the Old Testament (OT) and Apostolic Authority (AA). In an intermediate, post-Apostolic era (100-400 CE) the basis for doctrinal authority shifted into a combination of OT, AA (via bishops appointed and authorized by the apostles) and some portions of the New Testament (NT). SS (as he understands it) then claims that in a final step doctrinal authority gradually shifted entirely to the NT (eliminating both OT and AA). He argues from early church writings that this later step did not occur, that the early Church didn’t formally recognize the NT canon as Scripture until late in the post-Apostolic era but that it largely recognized AA throughout this period. He reasons from this that SS is invalid.

    This may be the best argument against SS. I answer as follows:

    -A- The Church (the body of believers justified by faith in Christ) has existed since Genesis (Ro 4, He 11, 12:22-23); it did not start at Pentecost. Neither Christ nor the apostles intended to start a new religion; they simply revealed how to correctly understand and follow Torah.

    -B- The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, show us how to see both Christ Himself and the Gospel in the OT, being taught this directly by Christ Himself. (Lk 24:27; Ga 1:11-12, Ro 16:25-26) This gives their teaching profound weight, especially as it is captured in the NT, which we now consider inspired.

    -C- However, the apostles never did claim to have divine authority to add to or interpret the OT in an isolated manner (2Pe 1:19-21); they reasoned with each other and with others from the OT under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in an unanswerable spirit and logic. (Ac 18:25:28; Lk 21:15, Ac 6:10). In doing so, the apostles and the early Church actually affirm SS.

    -D- The early Church itself did not consider the apostles to be a final authority in doctrine. During the Apostolic Age, the Church had no clergy-laity distinction; it was led by the brothers in the local assembly and did not impose doctrinal agreement via any type of hierarchy (1Co 11:3); they operated on a debate-until-consensus model. (Ac 15, Ga 2)

    -E- By 120 CE, the gentile Christian community was already largely infiltrated and corrupted by leaders rewarded for re-interpreting NT Scripture in ways that distanced themselves from Torah (due to Fiscus Judaicus) in order to start a new religion, one which openly contradicted the teachings of both Christ and the apostles. (Mt 5:17-19, Ac 21) This was predicted by both Peter (2Pe 2:1-2) and Paul (Ac 20:29-30), therefore no post-apostolic (100 CE) reference which does not clearly, explicitly and fully align with Scripture (both OT and NT) should be seen as evidence of God’s purpose and intent for His Church.

  6. The counter claim to Sola Scriptura, as I understand it, is as follows.

    We will all be judged based on the decrees of the Roman Catholic Magisterium; we are not allowed to interpret Scripture for ourselves in matters of faith and morality.

    1. The apostles were given the responsibility to spread the Gospel to the ends of the Earth; since they could not carry out this mission alone, God them to have the authority to pass on their apostolic authority to bishops.
    a. “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16:18-19)
    b. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2Ti 2:2)
    c. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (2Th 2:15)

    2. Bishops are therefore responsible for ensuring the purity of the doctrinal beliefs of the Church and have final authority in matters of interpretation of Scripture; we are required to submit to them.
    a. “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1Ti 3:15)
    b. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (He 13:17)

    3. This apostolic authority, as carried forward by bishops, was accepted by the church leaders early in the post-apostolic period and has continued to this day, via an unbroken line of apostolic succession currently embodied in the Roman Catholic Magisterium.
    a. “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” (Jn 20:21)
    b. (Extra-biblical references to early church writings and Roman Catholic Church tradition)

    4. We are to be unified under the High Priest, but unity cannot happen unless there is a unifying, infallible body here on earth to maintain the deposit of faith.
    a. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ep 4:11-13)

    5. The decrees of the Roman Catholic Magisterium are therefore binding since this council comprises Christ’s representatives on Earth, just like the apostles, ensuring salvation is available to all people through the Church.
    a. “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me..” (Lk 10:16)
    b. “But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.” (Lk 10:10-12)

    1. My response to each of these claims objecting to Sola Scriptura is as follows:

      1. The Apostles had no divine authority to determine or define truth; they were given a mandate to proclaim the truths of the Gospel as revealed to them in Scripture by Christ. Every Christian has a similar mission, to use all their resources to further the kingdom based upon their own, personal understanding of Scripture. No one has ever been given divine authority to tell others what to believe, only to be a witness to the truth as revealed by God in Scripture, which people are to verify for themselves. (“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” Ro 16:25-26)

      2. The true church comprises all the saints. (“Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:” Ac 15:22) Submission to bishops does not imply agreeing with them (“I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.” Ps 119:99); in matters of faith, God does not give men the authority to speak on His behalf. (“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” Ac 5:29) Paul was taught the Gospel directly from God (not apostolic succession) (“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Ga 1:11-12) and encouraged complete transparency in interpretating Scripture, inviting all to validate any teachings from Scripture for themselves. (“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Ti 1:9”)

      3. This tends to displace Scripture with Church Authority, as evidenced by the consistent fruit of the RCC to keep Scripture hidden from the masses, the opposite the apostolic mindset.
      The apostles commended themselves to the consciences of others by being transparent about their reasoning and motives, presenting their claims by quoting scripture in context and allowing others to examine these claims for themselves in light of Scripture. (“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2Co 4:2)
      The apostolic mindset thus throve on people having open access to Scripture. (“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Ac 17:11)
      — The RC Magisterium has consistently and explicitly forbidden lay persons from having access to Scripture, or interpreting Scripture for themselves, or relying on their own judgment in matters of faith and morality.
      >>>>> “We prohibit also that the laity should be permitted to have the books of the Old or New Testament; unless anyone should wish to have a Psalter, Breviary for divine offices, or the Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but we most strictly forbid their having the above-mentioned books translated into the vulgar tongue.” (Synod of Toulouse; 1229)
      >>>>> “No one may rely on his own judgment in matters of faith and morals, nor distort the Sacred Scriptures to fit his own views contrary to that meaning which Holy Mother Church… has held and holds.” (The Council of Trent; 1545–1563)

      4. Unity comes through humble debate in local assemblies as the Holy Spirit works in each individual heart, helping us each grow in the knowledge of the truth until organic consensus is reached, where we are thinking (not parroting) similarly and discerning truth from Scripture for ourselves. (“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1Co 1:10)

      5. Miracles, not apostolic succession, is God’s way of affirming the truth apart from Scripture itself and holding people accountable for the message. (“If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.” Jn 15:24)

  7. Here’s my Sola Scriptura claim and why I believe it.

    Claim: We will all be judged based on the words of Scripture; therefore we are responsible for interpreting Scripture for ourselves and may not rightly delegate this.

    1. Christ explicitly tells us we will be judged based on our obedience to His words.
    — a. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (Jn 12:48)
    — b. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Mt 7:24-27)

    2. Torah affirms the same: “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” (De 18:18-19)

    3. We are told to study the Scripture for ourselves to rightly interpret it.
    — a. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Ti 2:15)
    — b. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Is 8:20)
    — c. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (Ja 1:25)
    — d. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (Jn 5:39)

    4. Verifying apostolic claims in Scripture for ourselves is noble. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Ac 17:11)

    5. No man may present an interpretation of Scripture to others as divinely authoritative: this is equivalent to adding to and/or taking away from God’s Word.
    — a. “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (De 4:2)
    — b. “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Pr 30:6)

    6. The Scripture itself is both necessary and sufficient to guide us in how to be in right relationship with God.
    — a. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Ps 119:9-11)
    — b. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Ti 3:15-17)
    — c. “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (Ja 1:21)
    — d. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Ps 119:130)

    7. God tells us not to place our confidence in men, which we must do in the extreme to delegate the eternal welfare of our souls to them in any way.
    — a. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Ac 5:29)
    — b. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” Ps 18:8-9
    — c. “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” (1Co 4:6)

    8. The apostles did not claim divine authority to interpret Scripture on behalf of others; rather, they persuaded men with reason based on Scripture.
    — a. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2Co 5:11)
    — b. “And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” (Ac 18:4)
    — c. “Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?” (1Co 9:8)

    9. Rejecting Sola Scripture implies we are forbidden to rely on our own judgment in matters of faith and morality or to reason with others about spiritual things, effectively eliminating the conscience and reducing us to automatons and robots, which is manifestly absurd, proving Sola Scriptura by contradiction.
    a. “No one may rely on his own judgment in matters of faith and morals, nor distort the Sacred Scriptures to fit his own views contrary to that meaning which Holy Mother Church… has held and holds.” (The Council of Trent; 1545–1563)
    b. “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” (1T 1:5)
    c. “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” (1Ti 3:9)
    d. “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” (Ac 24:16)
    e. “And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” (Ac 18:4)

  8. Tim,

    Amen! I have always liked the following:

    Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know
    concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

    If ANYONE wills to do HIS Will, he Shall Know

    Plainly we are uniquely responsible before Him

    And Acts 17:11 which you mentioned hammers it home:

    These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

    They searched the scriptures — they did not look to man first…

    A shadow is also seen way way way back in Genesis where the
    serpent asks, in a manner of speaking, Did God really say

    Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

    And Satan disputes God’s Word : Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die”.

    A difficult aspect of this for myself is walking in an attitude of Love, and Love is ONLY defined as what agrees with Him; I find temptation to not remember the Compassion JESUS moved in in relating to us Sheep of His Pasture… Do I move in that — am I more concerned with being “right” than I am in moving with compassion?

    Jeremiah I find amazing:

    But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive.

    Do I weep in secret placed for your pride when considering others, do my eyes weep sore and run down with tears because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive?

    As a friend of mine shared, a bird has Two wings with which to fly. I think the other wing to your snap shot would be the example of Jeremiah above… Jeremiah 13

    Your thoughts?

    stephen

  9. Hi Stephen,

    I think you raise an important issue, which for me is related more to Pride than Compassion.

    In debate it is tempting to take on the goal of convincing the other person of my point of view, but I think this is Pride and Presumption and this leads to contention and discord.

    My goal shouldn’t be to change the other person’s mind, but to fully understand where they are coming from, asking probing questions where I am unable to follow their line of reasoning, and inviting them to do the same with me.

    I may not be satisfied with their thought process, nor they with mine, but if we are both reasonable people neither one of us should be satisfied with an illogical or unreasonable conclusion. Asking questions and challenging one another in a spirit of humility and respect makes for mutual edification.

    Certainly, when we find that a person is deeply deceived, we should also have compassion for them, pray for them, and weep for them if they are blind, stubborn or defiant. It takes me a while to get there, weeping for those in error; not there yet, but I’m not done either. 🙂

  10. Tim,

    I’ve realized I have fought and/or given in to vanity most of my life, which is a form of pride also. Perhaps compassion is a recipe to fight off pride and vanity — looking to the needs of others.

    Think of Saul before the road to Damascus, leading the Jewish Mafia to murder and hurt Christians — probably had more IQ than you and I put together 🙂 — well more than myself anyway 🙂 —-yet all his religious smarts had him deceived.

    Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

    Saul in now physically blind, but he is beginning to SEE.

    And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

    Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

    So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

    From high IQ to absolute humility.

    You might check this guy out:
    https://ableever.net/wordpress/2023/07/30/a-spirit-of-meekness/

    blessings,
    stephen

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