I have learned that while the Holy Ghost can direct behavior, the Holy Ghost does not instantly change someone's nature, nor does it change personality.
I know some pretty stupid people who have the Holy Ghost, who have advance degrees, and conversely some of the wisest and most intelligent people I have ever met had neither.
This is the basis for one of MY conundrums, why is it that folks in the UPC believes that everyone in the mainstream who receives the Holy Ghost will soon be knocking at their door.
Carp, I agree with your post. I am a little dumbfounded with the statement "the H.G. does not instantly change someone's nature". This tends to fly against traditional thinking of what happens when one is born again. I think I know what you mean, and I would agree to an extent.
Again, I ask you does intelligence bring wisdom. Does having knowledge of nuclear physics make one wise?
You're a smart guy, does that make you wise? Solomon was wise, but wasn't very smart at times.
As to your last statement I would equate that to spiritual elitism or religious pride.
Intellect and wisdom are often miles apart. Wisdom is the application of intellect.
Very nice! So smart people should be wise as long as they apply their intellect? Is it possible to be wise without having intellect? There are plenty of rich dumb people who made millions by mistake.
Carp, I agree with your post. I am a little dumbfounded with the statement "the H.G. does not instantly change someone's nature". This tends to fly against traditional thinking of what happens when one is born again. I think I know what you mean, and I would agree to an extent.
Again, I ask you does intelligence bring wisdom. Does having knowledge of nuclear physics make one wise?
You're a smart guy, does that make you wise? Solomon was wise, but wasn't very smart at times.
As to your last statement I would equate that to spiritual elitism or religious pride.
I do not believe that the Holy Ghost changes the nature of an individual, the scripture never says anything about that. If an individual is short tempered, opinionated, outspoken, if they like Jazz, if their favorite crayola color is brick red, all these will be the same after they get the Holy Ghost. Unfortunately their tastes in other things will be the same too.
Does intelligence bring wisdom? Yes because an intelligent person will foster those things that will make him wise. Information makes you wise, experience makes you wise, observation makes you wise and the intelligent individual will continue to embrace those things that will improve his character as well as to avoid repeating history and making the same mistakes twice.
Solomon's intelligence made him wise when he had the motivation to be intelligent. Afterward, he still had the intelligence, but he relied on something else to influence and motivate the source of his wisdom or lack of wisdom after the fact.
Received from the Lord what? If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives it liberally...If we are so spiritual, why are we so stupid? Have we not asked for wisdom?
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