We wish to know what wisdom is? Certainly it is not common sense or knowledge. It is the foundation of life to one who has it, Proverbs 16: 22. Wisdom is the character to do right in God’s sight. It is what distinguishes one from a fool. A fool is the heart which says there is no God, Psalms 14: 1; 53: 1. Wisdom by its nature must grow in God just as Jesus increased in wisdom, Luke 2: 52.
Wisdom provides a safe path to life, Proverbs 28: 26. It is as good as an inheritance, and must be protected like the protection of money, Ecclesiastes 7: 11-12. It gives confidence and vim, Ecclesiastes 8: 1. It is better than might, Ecclesiastes 9: 16. It is better than weapons of war, Ecclesiastes 9: 18. It ensures success, Ecclesiastes 10: 10. It is vindicated by deeds, Matthew 11: 19.
What are the types of wisdom?
There are two main blocks of wisdom, wisdom of the world also called wisdom of man; and wisdom from God which is called wisdom from heaven. Both wisdoms operate within mortals yet they are differently engineered for different purposes. Whilst the wisdom of the world is geared towards materialism and worldliness, wisdom from God seeks righteousness in Christ Jesus.
Both blocks of wisdom have many shades or layers. Job 11: 6 says for wisdom is many-sided. Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, Acts 7: 22. Paul mentioned other types of wisdom, eloquent wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1: 17; wisdom of the wise, 1 Corinthians 1: 19; spiritual wisdom, Colossians 1: 9; wisdom of the angels, 2 Samuel 14: 20; sound wisdom, Proverbs 3: 21; the wisdom of Solomon, 1 Kings 4: 30-34, 10: 23; and treasures of wisdom in God, Colossians 2: 3.
Our choice of the type of wisdom will determine where we will spend eternity, in heaven or in hell. The bible says in Proverbs 12: 26, the righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray. We must always be guided by wisdom as we make choices. It is written in Proverbs 14: 12 there is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. Which wisdom appeals to us most?
Wisdom of the world
James describes what wisdom of the world is, in James 3: 14-16, if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.
James draws the nexus between wisdom and conduct. Wisdom of the world is permissive of sin. It can lead us astray so we will become answerable to God at his seat of judgment. Isaiah 47: 10 said, your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray. It is corruptible, Ezekiel 28: 17; not permanent, Jeremiah 49: 7; and leads to building up of earthly wealth, Ezekiel 28: 4. Jesus said in Matthew 16: 26; Mark 8: 36; Luke 9: 25, for what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
The world does not know God through worldly wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1: 21. God is revealed by the Holy Spirit. This explains why the bible says in 1 Corinthians 1: 18 for the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. Paul says further in 1 Corinthians 3: 19, the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” The word of God defies man’s wisdom.
Wisdom from God
God’s wisdom is superior to the wisdom of the world. First, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1: 25 for God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom. Second, he said in 1 Corinthians 1: 30 Christ Jesus is the wisdom of God. We cannot have the wisdom of God without Christ Jesus. In truth, the wisdom from God comes from God, Ezra 7: 25; 2 Chronicles 9: 22.
Jesus said in Luke 21: 15, I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. Peter said of Jesus in Acts 6: 10 but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Even Jesus’ enemies said in Matthew 13: 54, 56; Mark 6: 2; “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? By these examples, God’s wisdom is superior.
Wisdom from God is also explained in James 3: 17-18, but the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. Jesus said in Matthew 7: 16, 20 you shall know them by their fruits. We need God’s wisdom in order to produce good fruits. Jesus refers to good fruit in Luke 3: 8 as conduct which is worthy of repentance.
How to make the right choice
We cannot choose both but either the wisdom of the world or the wisdom of God. What to consider is what would benefit our souls or where we want to spend our eternity. Proverbs 14: 12; 16: 25 say there is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death. We must make our choices wisely so we do not regret the last day when Jesus returns. We recommend Jesus to all.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:5, our faith must rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. On wisdom of the world, Solomon wrote in Proverbs 21: 30, no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD. We must let God’s wisdom be our guide always. The wisdom of the world is deceptive and disappoints in eternity. Deuteronomy 34: 9 says Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him. Only the Holy Spirit can lead us to make the right choice.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you for opening our understanding to your wisdom which we have foolishly declined in the past. Mercifully lay your hands on us as Moses did for Joshua so we may be refreshed and restored in you. Make us wise in our daily choices in our journey towards eternity. Give us heavenly wisdom to preserve our soul in you by abiding in you forever. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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