Not Intellect, but Obedience

"If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own" (John 7:17).

The golden rule for understanding spirituality is not intellect, but obedience. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience. If things are dark to me, then I may be sure there is something I will not do. Intellectual darkness comes through ignorance; spiritual darkness comes because [there is] something I do not intend to obey.

-       - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22).

 

Compiled August 1991.

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