Dictionary of Bible Themes The natural ability to acquire knowledge and to learn skills. It is not emphasised in Scripture because wisdom is viewed primarily in spiritual and moral terms. Human cleverness proves ultimately futile; nevertheless, believers are called to develop and use their minds to the full in God's service and to dedicate gifts and abilities to him. Proverbs 9:10Wisdom is primarily spiritual and moral See also Job 28:28Psalms 111:10 James 3:13 Psalms 94:11 The spiritual and moral inadequacy of unaided human intelligence See also Unaided human intelligence proves futile Ecclesiastes 9:11; 12:12Daniel 12:4 Acts 17:21 1 Corinthians 3:20 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 See also Human intelligence does not bring knowledge of God John 5:39-40Romans 1:22-23 Colossians 2:8 Colossians 2:23 See also Human intelligence cannot promote godliness 1 Corinthians 8:1-2James 3:14-16 Isaiah 29:14 See also Reliance on human intelligence brings judgment Job 5:13Isaiah 44:25 1 Corinthians 1:19 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Many of the first Christians were not intelligent See also Acts 4:13Mark 12:30 Believers are to use their minds The mind to be used in serving God See also pp Mt 22:37 1 Corinthians 7:37pp Lk 10:27 1 Corinthians 14:15-18The mind is to be used in seeking to discern God's will Romans 12:2The mind is to be used in worship. See also God wants to renew the mind Ephesians 4:23Hebrews 10:16 Jeremiah 31:33 Romans 8:5-6 Philippians 4:6-7 The mind must be correctly focused Colossians 3:21 Samuel 25:3 Examples of intelligent people 2 Chronicles 2:12Abigail Daniel 1:4Solomon Daniel 1:17young men from Israel exiled in Babylon Acts 5:34Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Acts 7:22Gamaliel Acts 13:6-7Moses Acts 26:24Sergius Paulus Paul Ecclesiastes 8:9Examples of believers using their minds See also Ezra 7:10Ecclesiastes 7:25 Ezra Daniel 10:12the Teacher Acts 17:11Daniel 2 Timothy 2:15the Bereans Paul's expectation for Timothy Genesis 41:46-49God uses intelligence dedicated to him Exodus 31:2-6God uses Joseph's administrative skill 1 Kings 7:13-14pp Ex 35:30-35 Craftsmen use artistic expertise 2 Chronicles 26:15pp 2Ch 2:13-14 Huram does work in bronze for Solomon's temple Daniel 5:13-14Skilful men design machines for the defence of Jerusalem Luke 1:3-4Daniel's intelligence aids his witness in the Babylonian court See also Luke's thorough research owes something to his medical training. 5026 knowledge5035 mind 5051 responsibility 5191 thought 5532 sleep 6181 ignorance 7797 teaching 8135 knowing God 8355 understanding 8361 wisdom 8420 equipping 8676 thanksgiving |
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