May 28 – Fallen Faith (2 Corinthians 5:1-7)

“We live by faith, not by sight.”(2 Corinthians 5:7)

IN WORD:
Of the three approaches to decision making we usually take, the third — supernatural guidance — can be the most rewarding. It can also be the most disastrous. It all depends on where we place our faith. Just as it is possible to walk by faulty sight, it is possible to walk by faith and still be wrong. Living by faith rather than sight is no guarantee; faith can be misplaced.
Consider all of the supernatural offerings our world lays before us: seances, mediums, horoscopes, channeled, spirit guides, psychics, and more. The more overt of these are laughable to the ordinary believer. But they can also take highly subtle forms. Don’t believe it? Go to a bookstore and read excerpts from the self-help section. Some of it is human or even biblical wisdom dressed up as something new. But much of it has cultic connotations. Our age is not lacking in mystics proclaiming the way to happiness, the way to fulfillment, the way to self-actualization. The problem is that unless it comes from God’s revelation of what’s really real, it’s always the wrong way.
All supernatural sources of guidance apart from God are forbidden in Scripture — even when dressed up as “advice” and marketed to a general audience. The Christian who seeks them is an idolater. It is a slap in God’s face to seek advice from horoscopes, un-biblical gurus, and anyone else falsely claiming wisdom from above. It suggests that there might be a higher — or at least more accessible — source than God. But He is the ultimate authority and He is available. Why go anywhere else?

IN DEED:
Seeking supernatural guidance is a biblical mandate. But we must take this mandate with care and discernment. It cannot be just any supernatural guidance; it must be God’s revelation. Do not trust your emotions, your common sense, or the spiritual seductions of this age. Depend on God alone. Dare to live by genuine, exclusive faith.

“The essence of faith is being satisfied with all God is for us in Jesus.” -John Piper-