The Wisdom of God

The wisdom herein referred to is not how to outsmart others in an attempt to make yourself look smarter (vanity, pride, self-glorification) or how you can accumulate wealth and riches (Jas 1:9–11; 1Ti 6:9–10; Luk 12:13–21), but how to better navigate this fallen and corrupt world when faced with difficult situations (trials, tribulation, suffering, persecution, and hardship) and difficult (and corrupt) people. It also helps one to know how to better be an example for others and how best to lead others to salvation. Note that King Solomon asked for wisdom so he could better lead the people of Israel (1Kg 3:4–15), not so he could enrich, promote, and glorify himself; let us do likewise. We ask for godly wisdom via prayer, and it often comes by continued reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word (Col 1:9–11).

THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE

The “foolish” (see Psa 14:1; 39:8; 53:1; 74:18, 22; 107:17; Pro 1:7, 22, 32; 8:5; 10:8, 14, 21; 12:15; 14:8, 16, 18, 24, 33; 15:5, 7, 14; 17:10, 12; 18:2, 6–7; 19:1, 3; 23:9; 26:1–12; 27:22; 28:26; Isa 32:6; 35:8)[1] man’s heart directs him to seek and follow the ways and “wisdom of the world” (1Co 1:20; cf. 1Co 1:27; 2:14; 3:19; Jas 3:14–15; Pro 14:12; 16:25; Rom 3:4), which lead to death (Pro 14:12; 16:25) and to relentlessly lust after the things “of this world,”[2] which are “passing away” (see Mat 5:18; 24:35).

In contrast, the “wise” (Pro 1:3, 5; 8:33; 10:14; 12:15; 13:14, 20; 23:23; Psa 16:16; 107:43; Jas 3:13; Eph 5:15; 1Co 10:15) Christian’s heart directs him to seek “the wisdom from above” (Jas 3:17), which leads to “eternal life”[3] and the things that are enduring and “eternal” (2Co 4:18). “The wisdom of this world” seeks to glorify self, while “the wisdom from above” (Jas 3:17; cf. Luk 11:49; 1Co 1:21, 24) seeks to glorify God.

The wisdom “of this world” is characterized by the following:

• It consists of lies, deceptions, and the crowd of “popular opinion.”
• It is self-justifying, self-seeking, fame-seeking, fortune-seeking, power-seeking, prideful, lustful, dishonest, corrupt, vengeful, and so on.
• It seeks to serve the gods (idols) “of this world” (pride, lust, wealth, fame, fortune, power, status, material possessions, etc.) and worships what the mind of man creates (i.e., false teachings, fake science, fake gospels, idols, vain things, etc.).
• It says, “Man evolved from apes”; it’s “Survival of the fittest”; “Might makes right”; “Win at all costs”;[5] “Blood is thicker than water”; “It’s us versus them” [i.e., racism]; “I’m going to get me and mine first!”; “The ends justify the means”; “My wealth will protect me”; “You’re going to pay for this”; “I’m going to get even”; “A little white lie isn’t a big deal”; “Rest in peace/paradise” whenever anyone dies (whether they knew Jesus or not);[6] and so on.
• It is all dressed up to make it appear good and profitable, but that is just an illusion (Pro 12:15; 14:12; 21:2; 26:12; Col 3:1–2).
• It is described as “foolishness before God” (1Co 3:18–20).
• It is the “blind leading the blind” (paraphrase; see Luk 6:39; Mat 15:14).
• It is constantly shouted at us in staggering volume. We are told by the secular world and media that it represents modern, educated, and enlightened man’s knowledge. What it really represents, in large majority, is the foolishness and folly of man and this fallen world.[7]^{, [8]}
• It claims the Bible is outdated (“out of touch”) with modern cultural and societal norms and sophisticated man’s knowledge today. It also claims that the Bible needs to be more progressive, liberal, and updated to match current trends and fashions. However, once again, nothing could be further from the truth (Heb 13:8).
• It has led to rebellion against God, denial of God, worship of idols, and moral depravity at every turn (Gen 6:5; Rom 1:28; 3:12, 23; 1Ti 6:5; 2Ti 3:8).
• It leads away from Christ.
• It leads to the results we have seen firsthand on this planet for thousands of years, and what has it gotten us? War after war, killing, raping, robbing, pillaging, lying, cheating, fraud, greed, corruption, oppression, and many other evils, all stemming from selfish ambitions, pride, lust, and the endless, ravenous pursuit of fame, money, status, and power—which is all that “the wisdom of this world” values.

In contrast, “the wisdom from above” is characterized by the following:

• It comes only from God (“the word of God,” Heb 4:12; cf. 2Ti 3:16–17) through reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Holy Word[9] and by simply “asking of God” for it (see Jas 1:5–6; Pro 9:10; Psa 86:11; 119:34).[10] In large majority, you won’t find godly wisdom in the materials produced by fallen men.
• It is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (Jas 3:17).
• It gives man an understanding of God, His Son, Jesus Christ, the ways of righteousness, and “the gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15; cf. Mat 5:9; 2Pe 3:17–18; Isa 9:6).
• It is given by God to help, guide, and instruct us out of love, care, and concern for us (Joh 10:10; 20:31).
• It can be hard for us to understand at times (Isa 55:8–9; Rom 11:33; Pro 3:5–7; 14:12; 16:25; 1Co 2:16a; Psa 25:4; Job 38:1–7; Mat 11:25), as it is set against the natural instincts of man (1Co 2:14), our carnal desires, and “the lust of the flesh” (1Jn 2:16).
• It is like a solid “rock” (Mat 7:24–27; 16:18; Luk 6:46–49; cf. Mat 21:42; Mar 12:10; Act 4:11; Eph 2:20; Rom 9:33; 1Co 10:4; 1Pe 2:6–8; 2Sa 22:2–3; Psa 18:2, 46; 31:3; 42:9; 62:2, 6; 71:3; 144:1), enduring, unchanging, a “good foundation” (1Ti 6:19), outlasting the “folly” (2Ti 3:9) and “foolishness” of man.

“The wisdom of God” also tells us:[12]

• “God created man in His own image … male and female He created them” (Gen 1:27).
• “Blessed are the poor in spirit [the humble]” (Mat 5:3).
• You shall not murder, steal, commit adultery, bear false witness (lie), gossip, slander, covet, and so on (Exo 20:13–17).
• “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mat 5:38–46; Luk 6:27–28; Luk 23:34; cf. Act 7:60; Rom 12:14, 17–21; 1Co 4:12–13; 13:4–5; 1Pe 2:23; 3:9; Pro 25:21–22).
• “Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mat 19:19; 22:39; Mar 12:31; Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8; cf. Lev 19:18).
• Put others first (above yourself; Rom 12:10).
• “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28).[13]
• God will “disclose the motives of men’s hearts”—not just the results (i.e. the win at all costs attitude in man) (1Co 4:5; Mar 4:22; Luk 8:17; 16:15; Act 1:24; 15:8; Rom 2:16; 8:27; Heb 4:12–13; Rev 2:23; Pro 16:2; 21:2; 24:12; Job 31:4; 34:21–22; Jer 17:10; 23:24; Ecc 12:14; 1Ch 28:9; Psa 44:21; 139:1–4).
• Consider the needy (Mat 5:42; 6:2–3; Luk 3:11; 6:29–31, 38; Act 2:45; 4:34–35; 20:34–35; Rom 12:8, 13; 2Co 8:14–15; 9:6–7; Php 2:3–4; 1Ti 6:17–18; Heb 13:16; Jas 2:15–16; 1Jn 3:17; Pro 3:27; 19:17; 22:9; 28:27; 31:8–9).
• “Give to the poor” (Mat 6:1–4; cf. Mat 26:11; Act 11:29–30; 20:35; Mar 10:21; 14:7; Luk 16:19–31; 18:22; Joh 12:8; Rom 15:25–27; Gal 2:10; Heb 13:16; Jas 2:15–16; 1Jn 3:17).
• Don’t endlessly seek, lust after, and trust in your “money,” “wealth,” or “riches” (Mat 6:19–24; 13:7, 22; 19:16–24; Mar 4:7, 18–19; 10:25; Luk 3:14; 8:7, 14; 9:25; 12:14–21, 33; 16:13; 18:18–25; 22:3–6; 18:24–30; Act 5:1–11; 16:19; 20:35; Php 4:11; 6:6–10; Heb 13:5; 1Ti 3:3; 6:6–10, 17; 2Ti 3:2; 4:10; Tit 1:11; Jas 1:9–11; 5:1–6; Psa 49:5–6; 52:7; 62:10; Pro 11:4, 28; 23:4; 28:6, 11; 2Ki 5:20–27; Job 31:24; Jer 48:7; 49:4).
• “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone,” “never take your own revenge,” and “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:14–21)—leave all “judgment,” “vengeance,” “revenge,” “payback,” retaliation, and “retribution” to the Lord (see Mat 5:38–46; 7:1; Luk 6:27–28, 37; 23:34; Act 7:60; Rom 12:14, 17–21; 16:20; 1Co 4:12–13; 13:4–5; 2Th 1:5–12; Heb 10:30; 12:29; Jas 1:19; 1Pe 2:23; 3:9; 2Pe 2:9; 3:7; Pro 20:22; 25:21–22; Rev 14:7; 16:7), who will repay everyone for their deeds in the flesh ().
• “Respect what is right in the sight of all men” (Rom 12:17).
• Treat all equally (Mat 7:12; Joh 13:16, 34; Act 10:34; Rom 2:11; Gal 3:28; Jas 2:1–9; Php 2:3; Eph 5:21; Pro 22:2).

Furthermore,

1. One must discard “the wisdom of this world” (i.e., man’s wisdom[14]) to see God. Moreover, godly wisdom is spiritually discerned (1Co 2:12–14; Eph 1:17; Joh 14:17, 26; Col 1:9); it is only through His Word and His Spirit that God reveals Himself to us, along with Christ, of course.
2. One must have godly wisdom to serve God (2Ti 3:16–17; cf. Col 1:9–11).
3. One must earnestly desire “the wisdom from above” (Jas 3:17; 1Co 1:20–21; cf. Eph 3:10; Act 5:29; Jas 1:5; 3:15), which is also “the wisdom that leads to salvation” (2Ti 3:15); one must want it more than “silver” or “gold” (see Pro 2:1–4; 3:13–26; 8:18–19; 16:16; Psa 119:127; Job 28:1–28; cf. Pro 4:1–27; 23:23; 24:3; Mat 4:4; Psa 1:2).[15]

So, do you follow the foolish ways of man and this sinful world or the wise ways of God? Do you seek and value the things “of this world” or the things “from above” (Joh 3:31; 8:23; 19:11; Jas 1:17; 3:15–17; cf. Mat 6:19–21, 24; Col 3:1–2)—the things “of Christ” (Mar 9:41; Rom 1:1; 10:17; 15:16, 29; 1Co 2:16; 6:15; 11:1)? Expressed differently, do you follow the crowd, or do you follow God? They almost always lead in opposite directions. You must consciously and consistently choose to follow God, even after being born again. It is much easier to just go along with and follow the crowd and “the wisdom of this world”; in contrast, following God and “the wisdom from above” takes “courage,” “boldness,” “strength” of character, “confidence,” “integrity,” personal “discipline,” moderation, “self-control,” “patience,” and “endurance”/“perseverance.”[17] It is not easy to stand against the crowd of popular opinion and the ways “of this world,” and there may be consequences for doing so. But “the Way” (Act 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22; cf. Joh 14:6) of a Christian is clear: We are to obey and please God instead of man (Act 5:29; Gal 1:10; cf. Jos 24:15; Rev 22:11, 17; Pro 1:29; Joh 6:67–68), and we must get our standard for godly living from the Word of God, not from what society thinks is acceptable, allowed, or even legal under the law.[18]

And lastly, know that “the wisdom of this world” will expire completely worthless at the Second Advent of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God will have been “found true” (Rom 3:4)[19] in all things, and “the wisdom from above” will have been fully vindicated, while “the wisdom of this world” will be judged and found that it amounts to nothing at all except “foolishness” before God.[20]