Sep
14
Be Simple
Filed Under Devotional
Even my wife and son think I’m a bit weird in that I enjoyed school. I enjoyed learning. I still do. It’s not unheard of for me to read a technical book in bed or on the weekend to relax. I can easily get lost learning all of the trivial details about some historical event, some fantasy universe, or some obscure technology. I just love seeing how the pieces fit together and how things work.
I’ve also learned that the same craving for knowledge is dangerous when it’s unguided. When I was younger, I found it quite easy to convince myself to spend time investigating and researching subjects that would really do me no good. In fact, I’d be embarrassed to admit my depth of knowledge in those areas now. There are subjects worth being ignorant about.
I believe this is what Paul is talking about here:
“[...] but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.” Romans 16:19 NKJV
Paul is encouraging Christians to dive deep in learning about God, but to avoid such excursions into evil things. I know why.
Those endeavors fill your mind with details of evil. Even though you may argue that you need to know the details to fight it, there are really only a few who can justify that claim. The result is that some of that knowledge will never fade. It becomes ammunition for the enemy to use when you’re weak. It will linger and taint your thinking. Jesus can overcome anything, but make every effort to avoid it altogether.
The truth is that you only have so much time in your life to learn things. Why not spend that time on learning things that will be worthwhile in eternity?