O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive...? Matthew 16:8-9

Last week we saw where the children of Israel had seen and experienced the glory and goodness of God and yet their experiences failed to shape their understanding and conviction that at all times and in every circumstance, God was faithful to care for them. 

Here we find a New Testament example of the same thing:  

When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

 

God manifests himself and in our humanity we examine the manifestation to pieces.  Jesus called it reasoning.  Jesus said it was little faith; faith yes, but little faith. From verse 8,  the ESV reads “discussing” and that sounds perfectly reasonable and yet that’s the point.  Heres the Greek on that word. 

dialogísomai, from diá (1223), and logízomai (3049), to reckon, reason. To reckon through, to settle an account,  to consider, reason, discourse, whether in silence by oneself or by discourse with others to consider together, deliberate, debate.  Thayer says “the thinking of a man deliberating within himself. Lightfoot says, It is the intellectual rebellion against God. Helps Word Studies says it is a back and forth reasoning that is self based and therefore confused especially as it contributes to reinforcing others in discussion to remain in their initial prejudice.  

 

Jesus uses this word in Mark 7:21 about “evil thoughts”.  He uses this word in Luke 24:38 when he appears to the disciples who are troubled and doubting his resurrection.  It is the same word used in Philippians 2:4 where we are instructed to do all things without grumbling and disputings- “dialogisomai”.  

 

It’s when we enter into this “dialogisomai” with ourselves or others that has the ability to lead us into temptation and sin.   It’s either the internal dialogue or the external debate. How far can I get to the edge of this command and still not fall over?   We can’t argue with God or His word and win. 

Kenneth E Hagin used to say, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me.”

A good truth to live by.