Reasoning Stops Revelation

One of the most important things a baby Christian needs to understand about learning the Word is that it is not an intellectual exercise but a SPIRIT-TO-SPIRIT activity. Revelation also requires Holy Spirit.

Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?–but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matt. 16:5-12)

The disciples were not yet Spirit-filled. I’m sure trying to understand Jesus, the first Spirit-Indwelt Man, was like trying to communicate to someone who doesn’t speak the same language. Even so, they had seen Him multiply food. Note that He put “LITTLE FAITH” with “REASONING” because when your faith is little or weak, you must rely on reasoning.

They forgot the former miracles…

In verse 8, we see that their natural habit of reasoning caused them to forget past miracles. When we enter into a new level of faith, we are often facing some type of trial. During those times, discouragement can cause us to forget the past things God has done for us, which then leads to reasoning our way out if possible.

If you look at the fall in Genesus 3:1-6, you find that the enemy is crafty. Crafty means “cunning” and cunning means “sensible.” The enemy uses HUMAN REASONING to persuade the people of God RIGHT OUT OF FAITH. That is why we are not to rely on our own understanding.

The greats in the Bible like Abraham and Joseph and the Lord all created an intimacy through relationship that allowed them to discern God’s voice from reasoning. The same is true for us. Intimacy trumps reasoning every time.