For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
One of the hardest things the Holy Spirit has to deal with us is our current ways of thinking. We are so sure of ourselves because we learned a certain way and certain things — whether it is correct or not. Our brain is patterned over and over because we have utilized certain information automatically thinking that is ‘true’. But what if it isn’t true? What if there are significant differences than the way we think it is? How would the Holy Spirit go about teaching you to something different than the way you currently understand things?
Even though we think we are really ‘humble’ before Lord — we are actually very prideful in our thinking of what we think is ‘right’. How many times has the Holy Spirit come to you to show you a new way of looking at things — through the Word? Do you automatically dismiss Him, because it isn’t what you ‘know’ or understand? Do you ‘lean on your own understanding’ most of the time, or do you ask Him when you face situations? Are you in the habit of asking the Holy Spirit even when you think you know the answer or the way you should go?
The apostle Paul had to introduce all sorts of ways to the newly converted Jews who had joined The Way. For the Jewish people had been doing the same things and thinking a certain way for hundreds of years – and learning a ‘new’ way caused many a debate, even between Peter and Paul. For the ‘learned’ scriptural scholars (Pharisees) still didn’t recognize Jesus when He showed up on the scene.
Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1
It is VERY true that ‘knowledge’ puffs us up (causing us to have conceited pride) — ‘thinking more of ourselves than we ought to think.’
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3
And Paul had A LOT of knowledge and faith — and the Lord allowed certain things in Paul’s life because Paul had all that knowledge and revelation.
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 2 Corinthians 12:7
Many us are so quick to argue when the information doesn’t line up with what we think we know. Are we humble enough to check with the Holy Spirit when we encounter new information? Or when someone presents different information than what we think we know? How well have we learned His Voice within us? Can we listen to Him when He presents a ‘new way’ of perceiving things?
Love is humble and able to Hear Him when it even goes against what we think we ‘know’.