Welcome to this week’s blog. This week I am diving into the difference between worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom. The message is simple and basic. Let’s see what scripture has to offer to gain a better understanding of wisdom and which, worldly or Godly, is the better choice.
The definition of wisdom is the ability to make good use of knowledge and the ability to recognize right from wrong. Wisdom is practicing good judgement. Wisdom is not something we can earn through good deeds or recognition. And last, wisdom is not a means of getting into heaven.
The characteristics of a person who pursues “worldly wisdom” is typically perceived by society as a powerful influence. Their appearance is as a successful, wealthy leader who is dominant and prideful, and demands respect and praise like that of a hero. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. – Proverbs 11:2 (NIV). Many believe that we are not innately born with wisdom per se, but wisdom is something we grow into over a lifetime. Many will spend their lifetime accumulating worldly wisdom or human wisdom and yet never learn how to gain Godly wisdom through a personal relationship with God. Why? Because they think it is foolish that we could gain wisdom through Jesus and the power of the cross.
What is God’s wisdom and how do we acquire His wisdom? For starters, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is God’s Power and wisdom. The power of God’s wisdom comes from the cross. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.
For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (NIV). What exactly is this scripture telling us? God is telling us that He has deliberately and intentionally hidden wisdom away from man from the day of our creation. Why? Because if God would have woven worldly wisdom into the design of man in the beginning (Genesis), man would then for generations boast about his intelligence and his wisdom in front of others and before God. Man’s boasting was not a part of our creator’s plan. Worldly wisdom does not know God; therefore, God does not favor those who boast of their worldly wisdom. In God’s eyes, they are the foolish ones who do not believe in or seek Godly wisdom, the power of the cross or an eternal life. It is these worldly fools who will perish.
Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know Him. God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. – 1 Corinthians 1: 20-21 (NIV).
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. – 1 Corinthians 1: 25 (NIV).
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong. . . so that no one may boast before him. – 1 Corinthians 1: 26-27, 29 (NIV).
The good news of Jesus Christ, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the power of the cross sound foolish to many. It is the unbelievers who roll their eyes, turn their cheek and refuse any such nonsense of this idea of gaining Godly wisdom. This is because society and its worldly wisdom worship power, influence and wealth more than they do the power of the cross. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. – James 3:17 9 (NIV). And the wisdom from the world is first polluted, then frustrating, harsh, close-minded, full of cruelty and non-fruitful, biased and insincere.
But Christ is our power, and what He did on the cross is the only way to our salvation, and gaining Godly wisdom. It is only through a personal relationship with Christ that we can gain God’s wisdom and turn away from worldly wisdom. Many believe that it is absolute foolishness that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. Millions of people proclaim they believe in God, they love God, but they do not believe in Jesus Christ, or any foolish stories of Jesus’ birth or death. Godly wisdom teaches us through scripture that we can’t believe in God and not in Jesus Christ. This is just hypocritical. Jesus was sent into this world to pay the debt for our sins on the cross so that we may not perish, but have an eternal life in heaven with God and live sin free. God and Jesus are one of the same. Jesus is God in the flesh. But without knowing Christ through a personal relationship with Him, many will miss the greatest wisdom anyone could ever gain.
Do not count on gaining worldly wisdom, human wisdom, to get into heaven. Rely only on God’s power and His praise will endure forever. What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived – the things God has prepared for those who love him. – 1 Corinthians: 9 (NIV).
Godly wisdom cannot be grasped by even the wisest people in society unless they accept God’s message. It is only those who seek God’s wisdom, and put their faith in Him and His message, that will truthfully and faithfully know all they need to know to be saved. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! – Psalm 111:10 (NIV).
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. . . - Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV) .
Blessings until next week,
Debra Pauli Unstoppable Believer
Scripture Quotes: Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV) / English Standard Version (ESV)
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