Trusting Reason Series

a. In our first week on this subject, we did an overview about trust and we learned that trust is developed through a loving relationship with the one we are learning to believe in.

b. We learned that the “trustworthiness” of the one we must believe in is vital, and that even if we have all the faith in the world, if the object of our trust is not worthy, our faith will do us no good.

c. Some of the things we might trust in are:

i. Our money or possessions. (what we have or own will help us out)

ii. Our abilities. (our keenness, our athleticism, our negotiation skills, etc)

iii. Our reason. (our ability to figure it out)

iv. Other people. (leaders, friends, associates)

v. Our eyes. (what we can see)

vi. God.

2. This morning, we will look at “Reason” (or understanding) as one of those things we might be tempted to trust in.

a. What is Reason? It is the process by which we form conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises. It can mean to think logically. It is how we “figure stuff out.”

b. Now, many of us have been taught that reason and faith are opposed. We have been told that they have no common ground.

i. For some, faith means to believe in spite of or in opposition to evidence to the contrary.

ii. For others, reason means to accept the facts and make your conclusions based upon the facts.

1. The inherent problem with reason as I have described is that it makes the assumption that it has all the facts.

2. What if there is an unseen world out there, how does reason deal with that?

iii. Another question we ought to struggle with is, when I use faith do I not use reason as well? The answer is yes, of course you do.

1. I believe that reason was given to us to inform our faith but not to govern it.

3. ›This morning we will look at a key and familiar passage of scripture that tells us that “reason” or “understanding” must not have the final say in how we make our decisions.

In Proverbs 3:5-8

a. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. (NAS)

b. [5] Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. [6] Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. [7] Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! [8] Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! (The Message)

4. Why does some folks’ faith falter when life crushes them, while for others, their faith finds new life?

a. The answer is found in verse 5 of Proverbs 3:

i. VERSE 5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding

ii. I really like how the NAS and King James use the word “lean”.

1. Have you ever had to lean on something to support your weight? I know some of you use walkers. Others have had a knee replacement that required the use of crutches. Some of you have arthritis that requires you use a cane. You know what it is like to LEAN on something.

2. Verse 5 of our passage tells us to “trust in the Lord with ALL our hearts” (positive) and warns us not to “LEAN on our own understanding.”

3. Last week we learned that “to trust someone” means to place yourself under their complete care and control. It means to give over to someone else. Like a doctor who will do surgery on you…at some point you have to just let go and trust the doctor to do the cutting.

a. *Can you imagine the absurdity of someone who doesn’t give it over to the doctor…they refuse anesthesia, they stay awake during their surgery, they demand a mirror so they can watch the surgery, and they question and second guess everything that the physician is doing. What surgeon in his right mind would let a patient do that?

b. It is the same with God. He desires that we give it over to Him completely. Take the anesthesia and rest, let Him do what He says He will do. Take Him at His word that He knows what He is doing. Quit second guessing Him. Give it over to Him!