Intelligence

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The natural ability to acquire knowledge and to learn skills. It is not emphasised in Scripture because wisdom is viewed primarily in spiritual and moral terms. Human cleverness proves ultimately futile; nevertheless, believers are called to develop and use their minds to the full in God’s service and to dedicate gifts and abilities to him.

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Wisdom is primarily spiritual and moral

Proverbs 9:10 LEB
The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh, and knowledge of the Holy One, insight.
See also ; ;

The spiritual and moral inadequacy of unaided human intelligence

Unaided human intelligence proves futile

Psalm 94:11 LEB
Yahweh knows the thoughts of humankind, that they are to no purpose.
See also ; ; ; ;

Human intelligence does not bring knowledge of God

1 Corinthians 1:20–21 LEB
Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.
See also ; ;

Human intelligence cannot promote godliness

Colossians 2:23 LEB
which things although they have, to be sure, an appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and unsparing treatment of the body, do not have any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
See also ;

Reliance on human intelligence brings judgment

Isaiah 29:14 LEB
therefore look, I am again doing something spectacular and a spectacle with this spectacular people. And the wisdom of its wise men shall perish, and the discernment of its discerning ones shall keep itself hidden.”
See also ; ;

Many of the first Christians were not intelligent

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 LEB
For consider your calling, brothers, that not many were wise according to human standards, not many were powerful, not many were well born. But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the strong, and the insignificant of the world, and the despised, God chose, the things that are not, in order that he might abolish the things that are, so that all flesh may not boast before God. But from him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “The one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
See also

Believers are to use their minds

The mind to be used in serving God

Mark 12:30 LEB
And you shall love the Lord your God from your whole heart and from your whole soul and from your whole mind and from your whole strength.’
See also The mind is to be used in seeking to discern God’s will; The mind is to be used in worship.

God wants to renew the mind

Romans 12:2 LEB
And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may approve what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.
See also ; ;

The mind must be correctly focused

; ;

Examples of intelligent people

Abigail; Solomon; young men from Israel exiled in Babylon; Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; Gamaliel; Moses; Sergius Paulus; Paul

Examples of believers using their minds

Ecclesiastes 8:9 LEB
I saw all this as I applied my heart to all the deeds done under the sun: sometimes those in authority harm others.
See also Ezra; the Teacher; Daniel; the Bereans; Paul’s expectation for Timothy

God uses intelligence dedicated to him

God uses Joseph’s administrative skill; Craftsmen use artistic expertise; Huram does work in bronze for Solomon’s temple; Skilful men design machines for the defence of Jerusalem; Daniel’s intelligence aids his witness in the Babylonian court; Luke’s thorough research owes something to his medical training.
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