Smarter Than the Average Bear

Our last post mentioned there's a difference between the "life" of an animal and that of a human.  While the "poker-playing dogs" are classic humorous works of art, you never see real animals playing poker.  No, they simply do not....

Oops.  We might have to correct that, after finding this photo online today.  We'd love to know how the cat built that big chip stack!

But let's get more serious here.  Since dogs and cats don't appear on WPT telecasts, there must be something which gives humans the skill even to create a game such as poker.  An Old Testament book hints at the answer.

But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. - Job 32:8

Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.  He said:.... "Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?" - Job 38:1, 36

It's fascinating to watch the resourcefulness and instincts of a common cockroach.  It can find its way into a kitchen, develop a hideaway there and scramble to safety when threatened.  Job 38:39-40 speaks to this to some extent -- and as another player mentioned Thursday night, scientists are able to clone animals with similar traits and characteristics.

But humans can reason in a much more complex way.  As far as we know, evolutionists haven't really explained how such a "leap of knowledge" from animal life occurred.  That leads us to conclude Someone greater is involved.

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. - Proverbs 2:6

Along with these things, God gives humans the ability to think.  And the list of things humans can do with that thinking ability expands every day -- from writing poker blogs to cloning animals to discovering a "god particle.". In fact, we're led to a humbling conclusion....

The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. - I Corinthians 8:2

So think on these things.  But as you do, consider how God is at work in the thought process.  And while you're at it....

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about these things. - Philippians 4:8