“Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s first bionic man. Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before. Better. Stronger. Faster.” Many of you will remember this introduction to the mid 70’s TV program, Six Million Dollar Man. At that time, it was mere science fiction. However, every day with advancements in science and technology, it becomes more and more a reality. The writer Jules Verne who laid much of the foundation of modern science fiction, said in the late 1800’s, “Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real.” Even with all the advancements that have been accomplished, it still seems absurd to think that whatever we can imagine could become reality. However, note the words of the LORD when man began building the Tower of Babel. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them (Gen 11:6).
At Babel, men were already crossing boundaries that God apparently had not intended to be crossed at that time in history. Their ability came from the fact, they are one people, and they all have the same language (v6). His solution was confusing their language so that they will not understand one another’s speech. In addition, He separated mankind, so the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth (v7, 8). Men were consolidating their knowledge and working together thus making their potential unlimited. Because of this, God established the boundaries of language and separation within the human race. He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation (Act 17:26).
Today the boundaries of language and separation have virtually disappeared. We have several major world languages and the ability to translate from one to another. The worldwide web via the internet has provided the capability for men to integrate isolated discoveries in science and technology into a shared collective. The angel Michael told Daniel that in the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase (Dan 12:4). Through the increase of knowledge, humanity is rapidly breaching boundaries never before imagined. Yet, did God intend for these boundaries to be crossed?
Now before the scientist get upset, let me say that I am not opposed to advances in science and technology. However, with God rapidly being pushed to the background or totally out of the picture, this should cause us alarm. Modern day advancements beg the question, when will science cross a boundary and create something, for which there is no return and no remedy. Humanity is reaching the point of having more knowledge than they have the wisdom to properly implement it. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts. True wisdom is insight that comes from God to know the right use of knowledge. “We can have all the knowledge in the world, but it means nothing without the wisdom to know what to do with it” (anonymous).
Every day believers are confronted with two sources of wisdom. James tells us there is a wisdom from above (3:17). This wisdom, which is true wisdom, comes only from God. James also says there is a wisdom that does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic (3:5). This is wisdom of this world and is foolishness before God (1Co 3:19). The first step of gaining true wisdom is our attitude towards God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). At one time, man although professing to be wise. . .became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images . . . (Rom 1:22). Men lost their fear of the LORD.
Our educational system is based on the accumulation of knowledge that leads to understanding and thereby supposedly produces wisdom. God’s sequence is reversed. By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew (Proverbs 3:19-20). Note also, a house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding; by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure (Prov. 24:3, 4). This order, wisdom – understanding – knowledge, seems to be the agenda by which God proceeds.
The LORD told Solomon, Ask for whatever you want me to give you. Knowing the significance of wisdom, Solomon answered, “Give me wisdom” (II Chr. 1:7, 10). He later wrote the Book of Proverbs probably for preparing young men as future leaders. The book is a collection of wise maxims that teach wisdom as the foundation versus the mere accumulation of information. So, how do we get wisdom? It begins with the correct attitude of fear and reverence toward the LORD. Then we merely ask. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (Jas 1:5).
We cannot stop the increase of knowledge in the world around us nor can we fully know the dangerous boundaries being crossed by those who have taken God out of the picture. But we can have an attitude of reverence and fear of the LORD, keep Him in the forefront of our personal lives, and ask Him for true wisdom to guide us through this life.
SUSTAINING WORD FOR THE WEEK: Ask for His wisdom. Imagine if man can do all he has done without God, what can Christian can do with God. Your potential as a believer is unlimited within His boundaries.