Recondite (Re:Noun part 1)

Are there things that you learn, either about yourself or others, that you wished you'd never found out? What is it about knowledge that we think will meet our needs? And what about the things of the spiritual realm? Sure, it might meet a mental need in the sense that it fills a gap in our fact-base. Doesn't necessarily mean that it will end in giving us the fulfillment we require. It's what happened to Adam and Eve: "And the eyes of them both were opened..." (Genesis 3:7) But wasn't that a bad thing?

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." (Proverbs 25:2, emphasis mine)

I think it's a faith and trust issue. There are things that God in His wisdom daren't tell us in spite of our nagging and pouting. He knows we wouldn't be able to handle it. He asks that we trust Him, because He knows He's trustworthy. He knows, But we don't. Not to the depth that we should, at least. God help us.

"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." (Deuteronomy 29:29) Notice the things that you face in your life to which the Bible is conspicuously silent about. The Bible is not a divining tool nor does it contain a power all its own to direct us without the living guidance of the Holy Spirit. What it does contain, however, are guidelines and guardrails to our knowing God. And with reference to that, some of the harshest and hardest words that ever were released into the world are found in the pages of scripture (everything that tells us to deny ourselves, for one). And then we come upon this: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, emphasis mine) Sometimes, that's the hardest thing we face in spite of everything else: abiding in Him.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." (John 15:4)

I believe that there are things that we're not meant to know until we get to Heaven. Sure, in Revelation (10:4), John speaks of things he heard which he wasn't allowed to record. Paul speaks of the same in his second letter to the Corinthians (12:4), "words, which it is not lawful (possible) for a man to utter." And there are reasons. But if you feel something that you can't place your finger on, and you know instinctively that there's a deeper level to which you must humble yourself in order to receive an answer that's more spiritual than mental, it doesn't mean that God can't or won't show it to you. But I believe that a strict and loving self-discipline is required if we desire to see things along those lines while we're here on earth. And most people (myself included) aren't willing—at times—to continue on to know something secret, from another realm. And even then, why would we even need to know? A question to ponder as that situation probably will arise as you live your life before the Lord.

All of the above speaks to the definition of recondite. Hidden and esoteric information and knowledge that we think somehow gives weight and meaning to our feeble and transitory lives. The New Age movement has a highly skewed, very small market share on the spiritual realm. There's even a concept (thing?) called the "Akashic Record" which supposedly contains all the knowledge in the universe, accesible only to the initiated. And yet totally bereft of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. That's highly dangerous. I recommend staying out. Because the things that are hidden are hidden for a reason. Faith in God necessarily arises when the invisible is talked about and the unseen—with words—is given form. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, emphasis mine) And if the secret thing which you're trying to glimpse is not of faith, it's going to lead you astray. No two ways about it.

"A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness." (Proverbs 12:23)

Any secret, hidden thing that is brought to the light will withstand the acid-test of scripture. If what you've seen or found violates God's word, that's cause for alarm. The Holy Spirit is faithful to show us any lies.

Making Fun

Refresher Course