Becoming Fools

by Chadwick Brewer

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise” (I Corinthians 3:18).

There is a huge stumbling block that we place before our children and ourselves. We praise one another for their intelligence and cleverness. We boast about academic achievements and scholastic abilities. We, as a society, have placed too much emphasis on intelligence and IQ, to our own detriment.

Studies are conclusive that IQ and intelligence are not good markers for success. When we present others with a false dichotomy, we actually set them up for failure, as we encourage them to rely on the wrong things. But more importantly, by believing ourselves to be wise, clever, and intelligent, we fail to possess the humility required to truly gain wisdom and insight from God. When we believe ourselves to be smart, we fail to strive to have God fill us with His wisdom.

Through this, we fall into all kinds of traps. We want to make the gospel overcomplicated so it fits our abilities. We unduly esteem those who are ‘educated’ and foolishly dismiss those who are ‘common.’ We strive to outthink those who have taught us and surpass the fundamentals of truth. We often lack the humility to acknowledge our mistakes or even praise ourselves for being open-minded and accepting, as we can see further or more broadly than most.

Let us become fools so that we can become wise. Let us see our nakedness so that we can become clothed in Christ. Let us buy from Him gold refined by fire and ointment for our eyes that we may see. Do not be wise in your own eyes.