Proverbs 25:27 “It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.”
Honey is a natural sweetener and a rich antioxidant. It protects cell damage, heals wounds, helps in fighting off certain infections, gives relief to gastrointestinal issues and builds resistance. However, too much honey is not good. Indulgence of honey could become harmful to the body.
This analogy is a perfect epitome of “spiritual dangers” of becoming ‘head heavy’ but ‘heart empty’. Deep research into hermeneutics without humility is only a façade and a felony. Jesus warned us about the Pharisees who were very knowledgeable yet did not practice what they preached. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. (Matthew 23:3). Every Jewish male was required to memorize the first five books of the Bible and the Pharisees had to memorize the whole Old Testament. They could quote scriptures even in their sleep! They ‘talked scriptures’ but failed to ‘walk scriptures’. Interpreting, analyzing and arguing the scriptures will be like ‘honey indulgence’ if we don’t practice the fruit of the spirit. God expects goodness more than grandeur. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
It is a precarious position for the head to be full of literature but the heart empty of love like the Levite who ignored the injured Samaritan on the road (Luke 10:25-37). He rushed to perform his rituals but refused to rescue a dying neighbour.
Spiritual Health-Checks:
1. Humility: Humility must out-weight hermeneutics, and walking humbly before our God is more important than being overloaded with knowledge and interpretation of the scriptures. Practicing the basics is more important than professing.
2. Honesty: Authenticity is more important than arguments. “But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless (Titus 3:9). Don’t get into vain arguments about the scriptures
3. Holiness: Hyped emotional discourse is not holiness. Holiness is to tremble at His Word.
Beware of the spiritual dangers of pride and judgemental spirit.
Prayer: Father God, May the revelation of your Word make me humble and not arrogant, judgemental or proud. Amen.
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