Guard against following your own carnal wisdom and submit to the higher calling of GOD to walk after Spirit and Truth. Ever since man was introduced to the knowledge of good and evil, he has been reasoning his way through life. While this is truly a reasonable way to go through life it is not the path of the children of GOD. As children of GOD, we have been called to live beyond the bounds of natural reasoning. We have been called to live gloriously unto YAHWEH by faith through the workings of Christ. By the workings of Christ. I am referring to the renewing of the mind that comes from the liberating power of truth. When we remain self-assured in our own mindsets, instead of submitting to divine truth, we end up esteeming a light which is actually darkness.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools…(Romans 1:21-22)
We should be thankful when GOD graces us with truth. Thankful means you truly consider what you have been given as valuable, so you don’t take it for granted. If you neglect a gift, you have proven you weren’t truly appreciative for what you were given. It is like GOD giving you power to turn on the light switch in your house, in order for you to walk through it without bumping your head, stubbing your toe, or falling down the stairs, but you refuse to flip the light switch. Due to this neglect, you now have bumps and bruises from walking about in the dark feeling you way around.
“They knew GOD but they glorified Him not as GOD.”
I hear people talk about the magnificence of GOD with all of His exceeding great power, knowledge, and love, while at the same time trusting in their own thoughts and ways. If we will not adhere to GOD’s word as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, then we cannot glorify Him as GOD. The Word of GOD is the light of man. When you don’t have a sincere love for Truth, the Word never takes root in your heart to become a tree of Life. Your heart remains dark because your own reasoning overshadows the light of the Word. You do the right thing when you deem it reasonable to do so, but if that which is righteous will cost you too much carnal life, then it is reasoned away, and darkness clouds your judgment and disobedience is conceived.
“12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:12-15 KJV)
The Apostle James is saying we are drawn from the path of righteousness when we consider the way unreasonable with the carnal mind. The Way of life takes us through narrow and dry paths that are impossible to pass by physical means alone, so we can learn to rely on His Spirit. When we succumb to carnal reasoning we go astray off the path of righteousness and abort the conception of glorious new life.
“16 Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. 18 It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes].
19 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; 20 for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. 21 So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].” (James 1:16-22 AMP)
Understanding that life is synonymous with the will of YAHWEH is the beginning of knowledge. We have to pursue GOD with a since of urgency because our lives hang in the balance. Here is what the Apostle Paul goes on to say of those who do not fear GOD as The Almighty giver of life.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], 25 because [by choice] they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading and vile passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural [a function contrary to nature], 27 and in the same way also the men turned away from the natural function of the woman and were consumed with their desire toward one another, men with men committing shameful acts and in return receiving in their own bodies the inevitable and appropriate penalty for their wrongdoing.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive, 29 until they were filled (permeated, saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice and mean-spiritedness. They are gossips [spreading rumors], 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors [of new forms] of evil, disobedient and disrespectful to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful [without pity]. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them. (Romans 1:24-32 AMP)
We were never meant to complete this journey on our own. Just because the first people GOD placed on the earth chose the map instead of the personal guide doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Taking up your cross daily is just a way of affirming your dependence on GOD and getting your mind right to hear and receive from Him.
“For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.” (Psalm 18:28)
theinscribedheart 
Amen!