The Folly of the Foolish

James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

What is wisdom?

According to God’s word, there are two types of wisdom…wisdom of the world and godly wisdom.

Since it can be hard to differentiate between the two, it seems that it would be wise to consider the two paths so that we might know the way of true wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:21 “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”

Worldly Wisdom

An initial survey of worldly wisdom demonstrates how the path does not lead to knowing God. Matter of fact, worldly wisdom appears more as “folly” or foolishness before God.

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.”

Another observation of worldly wisdom is how it is founded in philosophy, which is a masquarade for deception. I know people who studied philosophy in college and the path of reasoning they were taught. Many of the conclusions are not conclusions at all but only speculations with a focus on undermining anything that claims to be Truth. The world will ask questions but throw in false truth that leads the responder struggling to find an answer. It is deceptive because it has an underlying purpose.

Worldly philosophy has its roots in demonic doctrine. It is opposed to the things of God and like the serpent in the Garden, deceives with the intent to corrupt.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Paul recognized that people would not turn to Christ by arguing wisdom. Demonstrating God’s power was done so by speaking and living out the gospel. Paul’s life was a demonstration of God’s power, as is everyone who has been redeemed by God through Christ.

Worldly wisdom lacks any power. There is nothing behind their philosophies because they are founded in illusion. There is no hope apart from Christ so the world places their hope in a universe that is only part of God’s Creation. The world worships the creation rather than the Creator.

Godly Wisdom

Godly wisdom is not readily found by a generalized search. It isn’t obvious to the casual wanderer nor is made available to those who don’t seek it.

Job 28:20-22 “From where, then, does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding?
It is hidden from the eyes of all living
and concealed from the birds of the air.
Abaddon and Death say,
‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’

Godly wisdom is a mystery to the world, therefore the world mocks it by trying to mimic what it does not understand. The source of godly wisdom seems obvious…it is God himself. The path of the wise is the path toward God. How do people approach a just and holy God who does not acquit the wicked? How can we who are sinners, stand before Him and make a request such as wisdom?

In our sin we are condemned. We are counted as enemies to the throne of God because of our offenses against Him. To request something valuable without relationship would be foolish.

Listen to what the ancient of days spoke to the people long ago…..

Job 28:28 “And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

• The fear of the Lord is recognition of God’s sovereignty. He alone is God and by His power He rules over the affairs of man.
• Turning away from evil is introspective. We consider our own ways and take ownership of our actions.
• We gain knowledge of sin by God’s moral law. Once we acknowledge our sin, we have a choice in how to respond.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

To approach God is to fall on the mercy of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. We cannot know God unless we have been brought into fellowship with Him. Jesus is the only way for this to happen.

The gospel makes sin evident, then the grace of God is made available through Christ. Once this union has been formed, wisdom ensues.

Do you want to know God’s wisdom? Know Jesus.