The Wisdom That Wins: A Contrast of Worldly Wisdom and Heavenly Wisdom
A guest post by David Stafford.
Founding father, Benjamin Franklin said, “The doors of wisdom are never shut.” Wisdom is always accessible and can be acquired.
Wisdom is defined as “the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment” (Oxford Dictionary). The Bible uses wisdom to describe the application of knowledge, and knowledge comes from reading and studying God’s Word (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). There are two types of wisdom. Worldly wisdom originates with men, and heavenly wisdom originates with God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).
Philosophy literally means “love of wisdom.” We must love and pursue the wisdom that wins, which is the wisdom that originates from God (James 1:5).
It is conducive for us to examine a contrast between worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom, and we must examine ourselves whether we are choosing the wisdom that wins.
Worldly wisdom originates from the created; heavenly wisdom originates from the Creator (Genesis 1:26-27).
Heavenly wisdom excels, because the knowledge is derived from the One Who spoke the universe into existence. The psalmist said, “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:8-9).
God made us in His image.
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:26-27).
The Creator of mankind knows what is best for His creation! As a result, we should fear Him. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10).
When we have reverence for God and recognize God as the source of true wisdom, then we will obtain wisdom from His Word. When we fail to understand difficulties in our lives, we do well to direct our needs to God. James said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).
We cannot err if we are gaining knowledge and applying that knowledge from the Creator (James 2:18)!
Worldly wisdom originates from mortal men; heavenly wisdom originates from the eternal God.
Men and women are mortal. Men and women have not always existed. God, however, has always existed.
The psalmist said, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2).
There has never been a time in which God did not exist!
Worldly wisdom originates from fallible men; heavenly wisdom originates from the infallible God.
People are capable of mistakes. God, however, is incapable of mistakes. In fact, it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2). As a result, God is always right.
Why seek wisdom from someone who could be wrong? Why not seek wisdom from He Who cannot be wrong!
Worldly wisdom is finite; heavenly wisdom is infinite.
People have limitations. We can only react to what we have learned. God, on the other hand, is the great Counsellor. Paul described this when he said,
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Romans 11:33-36).
Men are capable of learning, and we must increase learning (Proverbs 1:5). God is incapable of learning. God knows all things. No one can outsmart God or teach Him something He does not already know!
Why would we seek wisdom from men who are limited by what they have learned? Why not seek wisdom from He Who knows all things!
Worldly wisdom involves inactivity; heavenly wisdom involves activity.
There are individuals who claim to be wise, yet their actions do not demonstrate that they are wise. James said, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).
Heavenly wisdom teaches us to practice what we profess as Christians (James 1:22; 2:14-26).
Worldly wisdom results in unhappiness; heavenly wisdom results in happiness.
Men may attempt to find happiness from the world, but they will always be left with a void that can never be filled by human philosophies. Heavenly wisdom will bring satisfaction.
Solomon said, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13).
Heavenly wisdom impacts the soul which is most precious of all (Matthew 16:26)!
Worldly wisdom results in strife; heavenly wisdom results in peace.
The wisdom of this world focuses on selfishness which results in strife (James 3:14-16). The wisdom that is from above focuses on selflessness and peace.
Solomon said, “Her [wisdom] ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17).
James said, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:17-18).
Worldly wisdom is inferior to heavenly wisdom. God, the Creator of the Universe (Genesis 1-2), knows what is best for us.
Let’s seek the wisdom that He provides from His inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)!
David Stafford preaches for the Piedmont Church of Christ in Piedmont, Alabama. David and I went to school together for a year and served together for a year at the Nesbit Church of Christ - he was in the class ahead of me.
David has always been a good friend and encourager. His hard work has always demonstrated to me how much he cares about serving the Lord. I’m glad he agreed to share his thoughts with us! You can read more from David on his website, Hiding His Word in Our Hearts.