Man’s Wisdom or God’s

Today, as we look at the topic of “wisdom”, I feel it is important for us to begin by defining what “wisdom” is. I am starting with the definition found in Webster’s Dictionary (1913 edition). ‘Wisdom’ is knowledge and the capacity to make due use of it; discernment and judgment; discretion; knowledge of the best ends and means. According to the Word Net Dictionary, ‘wisdom’ is the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight. Throughout this post, we will be looking at the Biblical definition of wisdom. For starters though, I think we can all agree on these shared definitions. In a very simplistic way, I have always said, in pointing out the difference between knowledge and wisdom, that “wisdom is knowing how to use the knowledge you have.”

Men today seek wisdom through all kinds of means which originate in man’s gained knowledge and perceived understanding. They seek wisdom from themselves and from other men or women. They seek it in getting an education or from their own shared experiences.

Science is often based on observation rather than truth. Men form committees and draw conclusions of what is right by the consensus of one another. Some men seek wisdom to use it for their own benefit, rather than doing what is right. Others do not operate in wisdom at all, but out of greed and desire seek power.

For the record, I want to be clear on this. There is nothing wrong with gaining knowledge. I feel it is vital for people to be educated. My wife, children, and I have all earned college degrees. We need to understand though, that knowledge and wisdom are not totally synonymous.

Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 (ESV) state the same truth, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

1 Corinthians 1:19 and 20 reads, “As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent." 20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.”

Then, we are warned to not be taken in by the wisdom of the world and from ‘spiritual powers’ of this world. Colossians 2:8 from the Berean Standard Bible, warns us, “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 Christ.”

We must be careful regarding whom we give the power to influence us. (Ultimately, we do choose.) 2 Peter 3:3, “Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.” Then we also see in 2 Peter 3:17, “I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people (those who twisted the scriptures to mean something different) and lose your own secure footing. This is a vital warning for us to heed today.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20, “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, "He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness." 20 And again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless." The word ‘wisdom‘ in verse 19, according to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon means, the empty conceit of wisdom which men make a parade of, a knowledge more specious (seeming to be right or true, but really wrong or false) than real, of lofty and hidden subjects.

Isaiah 65:2 (CSB), “I spread out my hands all day long to a rebellious people who walk in the path that is not good, following their own thoughts.”

Job 12:13, “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.”

1 Corinthians 1:23,24 (CSB), “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” The Greek word used for “wisdom” in this verse means supreme intelligence, such as belongs to God and also Christ; the wisdom of God as demonstrated in forming and execution his counsel, the variety of ways and methods by which he devised and achieved salvation through Christ. Additionally, written in Thayer’s Greek Lexicon was that what Jesus spoke in Matthew 23:34 denotes the wisdom of God which is operative and embodied, as it were, in Jesus. His words are the embodiment of God’s wisdom!

God distinguishes between man’s wisdom (earthly) and His wisdom (that from above). In James 3:13-17. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, James wrote, “If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”

According to Romans 11:33, God’s wisdom is unsearchable, unfathomable, and impossible for us to understand. Sounds rather dismal, doesn’t it? We can not stop there though!

True wisdom, (God’s wisdom in us) always begins with the reverential fear of God.

Psalm 111:10 (CSB), “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.”

Job 28:28 (CSB), “He said to mankind, "The fear of the LORD --that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding."

Daniel 2:19-22, “That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. 20 He said, "Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.”

Look at Ephesians 1:16 and 17, “I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.” Here we have our example of Paul praying for the believers in Ephesus. Just as Paul prayed for God to give the believers spiritual wisdom and insight, we can pray the same thing for ourselves and others.

1 Corinthians 2:13 reveals that the Holy Spirit teaches us God’s wisdom, “When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths.’

John 14:26a, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative--that is, the Holy Spirit--he will teach you everything”

John 16:13a reads that “when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth, (ESV)

Then we read in 1 John 2:20, “But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.”

As we read in the following references, we see the Word of God and the Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom we need to be saved, to do what is right and to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:13-17, “But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. 14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

Psalm 19:7, (ESV), “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple”

Amazingly, it comes down to James 1:5, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

We must depend wholly on God’s wisdom and not a man’s, including our own.

We must include the Lord in every decision or choice we make, every day, for … there is no true wisdom, apart from God’s wisdom. All else fails.

Unless indicated scriptures are taken from the New Living Translation

CSB Christian Standard Bible

ESV English Standard Version