Wisdom Blockers

In Deuteronomy 17:14-17, Moses warned the Israelites that when they entered the Promised Land and decide to have a king over them that the king they chose should refrain from three things in particular: 1) acquiring great numbers of horses, 2) taking many wives and 3) accumulating large amounts of gold and silver.  To indulge in these three areas would serve to turn the king away from the Lord.

And yet, Solomon, the king who was given a divine measure of wisdom and discernment (cf. 1 Kgs 3:12) so that there was no one like him before or since, wound up with stables full of horses (1 Kgs 4:26) more gold and silver that silver was considered of little value (1 Kgs 10:14-20) and a combined total of 1,000 wives and concubines (see 1 Kgs 11:3).  And sadly, Solomon was "led astray" (1 Kgs 11:3).

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, was not smart enough to listen to the clear warnings from the Lord through the prophet and lawgiver, Moses.  Even though Solomon sought after and received wisdom as a first priority, he was sidelined by foolishness.  He gathered to himself the very things that would turn his heart away from the Lord who raised him up.  What was he thinking?  He wasn't.

Solomon was captivated by the trifecta of carnal desires.  His wisdom was blocked and his heart turned away by "the lust of the flesh [sexuality], the lust of the eyes [wealth] and the pride of life [power]---[which] comes not from the Father but from the world" (1 Jn 2:16).  I remember a message delivered by Neil Prior entitled, "Pennies, Power and Petticoats" from 1980 or 81 that warned us preaching students of these very wisdom blockers, attractions that pull one away from common sense toward colossal strife.

Jesus very clearly warned us, "do not store up treasures on earth...but...in heaven....For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt 6:19-21).  Treasuring the things of this world turns our hearts away from God, blocking true wisdom that knows all these things are temporary and of no eternal value.  Wealth and power and human sexuality are not bad things in and of themselves but they can distract us from the true riches only God can give us.

Do not make the mistake of setting your sights on acquiring worldly attractions that block godly wisdom.   Instead, seek after "Christ Jesus, who has become fro s wisdom from God---that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (1 Cor 1:30).  Jus' Say'n.