1 Corinthians 1:22-29
22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
When it comes to fighting our bad behaviors, our natural inclination is to "try harder" and "be stronger". But usually we are not strong enough in ourselves to overcome our patterns of addiction. This is why we need God, for "the weakness of God is stronger than men" (verse 25). We need a power greater than ourselves to overcome the weakness in ourselves. Paradoxically, trying to fix things in our own strength can actually be an obstacle to healing, for it stops us from looking to the true source of power. Furthermore, in whatever success we have we need to glorify God and not ourselves (verse 29).
Lord, I am weak and You are strong. Thank you for being my strength.
22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
When it comes to fighting our bad behaviors, our natural inclination is to "try harder" and "be stronger". But usually we are not strong enough in ourselves to overcome our patterns of addiction. This is why we need God, for "the weakness of God is stronger than men" (verse 25). We need a power greater than ourselves to overcome the weakness in ourselves. Paradoxically, trying to fix things in our own strength can actually be an obstacle to healing, for it stops us from looking to the true source of power. Furthermore, in whatever success we have we need to glorify God and not ourselves (verse 29).
Lord, I am weak and You are strong. Thank you for being my strength.