Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5894 intelligence 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. Wisdom is primarily spiritual and moral Proverbs 9:10 See also Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; James 3:13 The spiritual and moral inadequacy of unaided human intelligence Unaided human intelligence proves futile Psalm 94:11 See also Ecclesiastes 9:11; Ecclesiastes 12:12; Daniel 12:4; Acts 17:21; 1 Corinthians 3:20 Human intelligence does not bring knowledge of God 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 See also John 5:39-40; Romans 1:22-23; Colossians 2:8 Human intelligence cannot promote godliness Colossians 2:23 See also 1 Corinthians 8:1-2; James 3:14-16 Reliance on human intelligence brings judgment Isaiah 29:14 See also Job 5:13; Isaiah 44:25; 1 Corinthians 1:19 Many of the first Christians were not intelligent 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 See also Acts 4:13 Believers are to use their minds The mind to be used in serving God Mark 12:30 pp Matthew 22:37 pp Luke 10:27 See also 1 Corinthians 7:37 The mind is to be used in seeking to discern God's will; 1 Corinthians 14:15-18 The mind is to be used in worship. God wants to renew the mind Romans 12:2 See also Ephesians 4:23; Hebrews 10:16; Jeremiah 31:33 The mind must be correctly focused Romans 8:5-6; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 3:2 Examples of intelligent people 1 Samuel 25:3 Abigail; 2 Chronicles 2:12 Solomon; Daniel 1:4 young men from Israel exiled in Babylon; Daniel 1:17 Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; Acts 5:34 Gamaliel; Acts 7:22 Moses; Acts 13:6-7 Sergius Paulus; Acts 26:24 Paul Examples of believers using their minds Ecclesiastes 8:9 See also Ezra 7:10 Ezra; Ecclesiastes 7:25 the Teacher; Daniel 10:12 Daniel; Acts 17:11 the Bereans; 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul's expectation for Timothy God uses intelligence dedicated to him Genesis 41:46-49 God uses Joseph's administrative skill; Exodus 31:2-6 pp Exodus 35:30-35 Craftsmen use artistic expertise; 1 Kings 7:13-14 pp 2 Chronicles 2:13-14 Huram does work in bronze for Solomon's temple; 2 Chronicles 26:15 Skilful men design machines for the defence of Jerusalem; Daniel 5:13-14 Daniel's intelligence aids his witness in the Babylonian court; Luke 1:3-4 Luke's thorough research owes something to his medical training. See also
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