This is what most people are doing today. They say that because most people do something, it must be right. Others say that because most people believe something is wrong, then it must be wrong. But who decides what truth is?
In The Great Controversy, Ellen G. White explains that the angels fell because Satan told them they could choose right and wrong by their own reasoning powers. He claimed that their own judgment was enough to decide truth.
“Leaving his place in the immediate presence of God, Lucifer went forth to diffuse the spirit of discontent among the angels… He claimed that in aspiring to greater power and honor he was not aiming at self-exaltation, but was seeking to secure liberty for all the inhabitants of heaven.”
When we go to the source of something, we can find answers. People often follow fashions and human opinions without understanding the outcome. Sin and evil began with Satan saying that his own reasoning was enough. He thought he was God, and the angels believed his reasoning was divine.
Can human reasoning be trusted? No. We cannot trust our own understanding. Philosophy is built on human reasoning, which is why the Bible says, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Can a person trust God and themselves at the same time? No. Human beings do not know enough to trust their own minds fully. It is like a sailor lost at sea who cannot tell where he is. In the same way, the human mind is not powerful enough to know the whole story of life.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Many people follow the reasoning of leaders in science, politics, and other fields, not realizing that human reasoning can lead them astray. It may seem right, but that does not make it true. Human beings may only know a very small part of reality. It is far better to trust God and the Bible than human opinion.
“Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.”
The only source of truth is the Bible. God gave us the Bible because human beings are deceived since the fall of Adam. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Freedom comes from truth, not from human opinion. If someone believes something false, they are being led into error. We are all responsible to seek truth for ourselves. No one is forced to believe a lie. The Pharisees believed Jesus was not God and were destroyed. The people in Noah’s day believed Noah was foolish, and they died in the flood.
“You are of your father the devil… he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Satan can even speak to our minds. He can make us think we are coming up with our own thoughts when we are really being influenced. This is deep deception, and people who are unaware of it can easily be misled. Satan is far more powerful than humans, and those who are most easily deceived are often those who think they are highly educated.
“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… Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”
Humans often compare themselves only with other humans. They do not realize there are beings much wiser than they are. It is like an ant thinking it is stronger than a human, or a cat thinking it can defeat a lion. Pride makes people foolish. Pride is also linked with dishonesty, because a proud person would rather stay in lies than accept plain truth.
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.”
Can we trust the majority of human reasoning? No. Even most churches will fall from the truth and accept lies. The whole world will be under evil spirits and doctrines of devils. Only those kept by the Bible will be safe. Belief in human reasoning is leading millions toward eternal destruction.
Even science and modern medicine are often built on human reasoning. But it is far better to trust an all-wise God who gives counsel that leads to truth.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The only safe path is to follow the Bible and not human reasoning. Human beings are biased, corrupt, and easily deceived.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
The Bible says no one can fully understand how wicked and deceitful the human heart is. This is one of the most important verses in this study. It is wise to memorize it, because it can protect us from human reasoning that leads astray and even to death.
Think of how many people have died because modern medicine told them not to follow God’s health plan. Think of how many millions believe evolution, even though it is not true science but a religion based on faith in diplomas and human reasoning. Think of how many people may end up lost because they trusted this kind of philosophy.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
Trust God and the Bible. We know the Bible is true because of archaeology, history, prophecy, and God’s presence in the heart.
“The whole world wondered after the beast.”
Here we have the sad fact that the whole world will follow human reasoning and the beast. People love to fit in and follow the majority, but it will end badly. They will receive the mark of the beast, the seven last plagues, and be destroyed forever.
We have the responsibility to search for truth and to take time to do so. We also have the responsibility not to follow the majority when we know they are wrong. When human reasoning contradicts the Bible, reject it.
“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils.”
This is what happens when people follow the world. Most churches follow society and the majority, just as in Noah’s day most people trusted the leaders and scientists who said there would never be a flood.
When we ask whether human reasoning is infallible and trustworthy, we find that the world will become very religious again, but it will be led by Satan. Churches around the world will reject the three angels’ message. God will leave those churches, and they will be filled with demons.
They will continue to preach Jesus and sing to Jesus, not knowing that they have received the mark of the beast and are lost forever. Just as the Jews continued sacrificing lambs in Jerusalem after Jesus died, many today continue in religion without knowing that God’s presence is no longer with them.
Father God, help us follow the truth and not be led by human reasoning. Forgive our sins, give us Your righteousness, and thank You for all Your blessings, in the name of Jesus. Amen.