The third influence that motivates us to obey God is intellect. God has given us intellect so that our faith and obedience to him might be that of intelligent choice. "Come, let us reason together says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool"(Isa 1:18). God does not want mindless faith and obedience. He expects us to reason with him, to think things through, to apply our intellect to his word, that we might reach the personal conviction that obeying him is right.
Lesson Outline
Intellect Can Lead Us to Obey God
Paul used reason to persuade.
He appealed to the intellectuals of Athens (Acts 17:26-29).
He was also "reasoning" in order to persuade both Jews and Greeks in Corinth (Acts 18:4).
Reason and Revelation work together. One however can acquire evidence for the existence of God and a basic understanding of his nature, through one’s intellect, by reasoning from one’s observation of the natural world (Rom 1:16-22).
Intellect May Fail
Intellect can become foolish. "Professing to be wise, they became fools"(Rom 1:22)
Intellect can become prejudiced and ignore evidence. "When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, they sneered"(Acts 17:32)
Intellect can become conceited. See Paul’s discourse on this (1Co 1:26-29)
Seeking a Wise Intellect
Pray for wisdom from above(Jas 1:5, Jas 3:17)
Let your mind dwell on good things(Php 4:8)
Enlighten the intellect with the revealed word ( Eph 1:17-18, Jhn 1:1-4,9)