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True Wisdom
by Pastor Bill Pevlor

Many books contain vast amounts of knowledge. The Holy Bible differs from them in that it is also a book of great wisdom. There is a distinct difference between knowledge and wisdom. Most books contain knowledge of some sort. Not many contain much wisdom. Of those that contain some measure of wisdom, most contain what the Bible calls “worldly” wisdom.

There is a distinct difference between “worldly” wisdom and Godly wisdom. “Worldly” wisdom centers on the high-brow intellect of man. Its goal is to appease the mind, will and emotions of man. In contrast, “Godly” wisdom centers on the knowledge of God, His ways and His will. Both Proverbs 9:10 and Psalm 111:10 state: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

The Amplified Bible clarifies “the fear of the Lord” as “the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord.” The “fear of the Lord” is not a tense, nervous fright heightened by the thought of possibly being punished or killed. It is awesome respect, understanding and honor for God’s unlimited power, holiness and majesty.

Most institutions of learning are geared to imparting knowledge to students. In most cases, wisdom is not imparted. In fact, it is impossible for most of today’s schools and colleges to impart true wisdom to their students. Why? Because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Today’s public institutions of education have kicked God out. When you remove the awesome respect, understanding and honor for God from the classroom you also eliminate true wisdom. Public schools are imparting knowledge (a task that seems to be getting more and more difficult since they kicked God out) and a measure of “worldly” wisdom. But, true wisdom is sorely lacking.

According to the Bible, God has a considerable amount of contempt for worldly wisdom. Here’s what Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in First Corinthians: “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.’“ (1 Corinthians 3:18-20)

If you are using the world’s standards, “the standards of this age,” as your standard for wisdom – throw it away. You would be better off to be considered a fool by the world. Coincidentally, when you reject the popular wisdom of the world for the true wisdom of God, the world will label you a fool.

When the wisdom of the world tells you the important things in life are fame, fortune and power - you would be better off to be considered a fool. When the “wisdom” of the world says it is foolish to live by the standards of sexual conduct prescribed in the Bible - choose to be a fool. When the wisdom of the world says there is “safe sex” outside marriage - choose to be a fool. When the wisdom of the world calls outright sin an acceptable “alternative lifestyle” - become a fool. When the wisdom of the world tells you that a fetus in the womb is not a person, that it is merely an inconvenient tissue mass - opt for the label of fool. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 1:25)

The Good News from God’s Word is that God’s wisdom is available to any believer who would ask for it. The Lord promises He will provide wisdom to those who ask in James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Is that remarkable, or what? The wisdom of the creator of the universe is available to you. We can ask God for wisdom and He won’t find fault with us. We don’t have to worry that He will tell us we haven’t been good enough today to receive His wisdom. He will give it generously without finding fault.

There is one notable stipulation to receiving God’s wisdom given in the next scripture: “ But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” (James 1:6-8) Receiving wisdom is much like receiving anything else from God. Receiving requires faith on our part.

When we are uncertain about what to do we can ask God, in faith, and receive His perfect wisdom. When the storm of worldly wisdom is blowing, we have a rock-solid source of true wisdom we can anchor to; the Word of God.

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Victorious Faith Ministries
219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201
Phone: 920-487-5775