“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.” (1 Corinthians 3:19).
During my Bible reading one week I began to reflect on how little any one person knows and how limited one person’s wisdom is.
Each one of us has some insights, knowledge and wisdom, but the scope is usually fairly narrow and limited to our sphere of influence and knowledge–our world. We are good at what we do and have gained wisdom and knowledge regarding our special interests and experience. But if we were suddenly placed in a new, unfamiliar position or found ourselves in a foreign city unable to speak the language, not knowing how to find a bathroom, we quickly become aware of limitations. Our knowledge and experience will not help us. We need someone to help us.
When we consider the seven billion people in the world – each having wisdom and knowledge about life in their world – we realize how little wisdom each of us as individuals possess. Compared to God–next to zero!
Now then, think about the wisdom of God. He knows everything and is all wise. Even if we compiled all the wisdom and knowledge of everyone in the world and measured it against God’s wisdom, it would still be almost nothing.
Also, when we realize that everything we know and everything we have comes from God, we cannot think ourselves wise, but only be humbled before Him.
Remember the “wise advice” Job’s friends gave him when he had lost everything? They thought they were very wise. Job himself questioned God about why this disaster happened to him. God was not impressed by any of them. (Read Job 38 to 41)
What is wisdom? The Bible tells us,
“The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7).
What is knowledge? Some translations of the Bible say,
“The fear the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7)
When we begin to recognize that our life is about God, not about us – that is the beginning of wisdom.
How do we get more wisdom? One way is to read God’s Word and to learn from Him.
“Nothing is perfect except your words. Oh, I how I think about them all day long. They make me wiser than my enemies, because they are my constant guide. They make me even wiser than the aged” (Psalms 119:96-100).
Fear God. Know God by reading His word and Obey the insights and directions He gives you.
Have you come to the place in your spiritual journey where you recognize that you want the God of all wisdom to be your guide from now on?
If you have, here is a suggested prayer of invitation..
Jesus I know I have been living life independent of you. I invite you into my life to forgive my sins, be with me each day and to guide me. Thank you for your love, forgiveness and eternal life. Amen.
Further Reading
How Does God Do It?
Living Waters
God’s Mysterious Ways
The Lord is My Shepherd
Jesus is Always There!
How Big is God?
God is GOOD
The Lord Never Changes