Module 7: The Wisdom of God vs. the Wisdom of the World

Introduction

Before you were born again, the things of God seemed foolish and confusing. It may have seemed absurd for people to believe in a man they cannot see and who died thousands of years ago.
Perhaps you saw people evangelizing and preaching the gospel on the streets or in crusades and thought they were silly.

But now that you are born again—able to pray and worship in the Spirit—you realize that the wisdom of this world has turned to foolishness. You no longer find the things of this world attractive.

The Wisdom of This World

In this world, many people rely on vain philosophies and human wisdom to shape their perspectives on life. Their worldviews are shaped by acquired knowledge, as well as historical and personal experiences, defining how they value themselves and interact with others.

Scriptural References

• Isaiah 5:21: “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight.”
• Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Such people mock the gospel of the cross and struggle to find faith in Jesus Christ. However, God turns their wisdom into foolishness.

Scriptural References

• 1 Corinthians 1:19: “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:20: “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
• 1 Corinthians 3:19: “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness.’”

The worst thing about the wisdom of this world is that it hardens people’s hearts, making them unreceptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ. A hardened, unrepentant heart cannot receive God’s word and considers His wisdom foolishness.

Scriptural Reference

• Matthew 13:15: “For this people’s heart has grown hard, and with their ears they hardly hear, and they have closed their eyes…”

Forbidden Wisdom – Wisdom of the Princes of This World

Some people seek worldly solutions through witchcraft, fortune-telling, horoscopes, social influencers, media, spiritists, and philosophers. They fail to realize that God turns such wisdom into folly—it cannot stand in the long run. Only God’s counsel will stand forever.

Scriptural References

• 1 Corinthians 2:6: “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught.”
• Psalm 33:10-11: “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”

These scriptures show that dark magic, witchcraft, wickedness, and other paraphernalia used against believers cannot stand when you are in Christ Jesus.

Driven by greed and lust, some reject the gospel, thinking their craftiness will help them succeed. However, God turns their schemes around, ensuring they fail.

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Blindness to the Wisdom of God

The wisdom of God seems foolish to the world. Even some so-called believers are ashamed to publicly confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Scriptural References

• 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
• Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

The reason they cannot see the light of the gospel or God’s wisdom is that they are blinded by the things of this world. Human traditions and worldly wisdom place a veil over their understanding.

Scriptural References

• 2 Corinthians 4:3-4: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…”
• Ephesians 4:17-18: “… That ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”

The god of this world (the devil) blinds people with vanity, leading them to prioritize parties, orgies, greed, self-glorification, and corruption over eternal truths.

Scriptural Reference

• James 3:15-16: “This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

The Wisdom from Above

For young believers, especially those beginning their salvation journey, the Book of Proverbs contains profound life teachings (Solomonic wisdom), such as:

• Knowledge for witty inventions
• Fear of the Lord and resistance to evil
• Wisdom and knowledge for wealth and prosperity
• Wisdom to reign as kings and rulers on earth
• Wisdom for riches and honor
• Counsel, judgment, and insight for power

This wisdom is from above and is grounded in peace, love, and mercy.

Scriptural Reference

• 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.”

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Jesus Christ: The Wisdom of God

Messianic wisdom surpasses all other forms of wisdom, including Solomonic wisdom, because it is rooted in faith, truth and love.

Scriptural References

• Matthew 12:42: “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”
• John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life…”

Jesus Christ is the true wisdom of God, hidden since the foundation of the world.

Scriptural References

• 1 Corinthians 1:24: “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
• 1 Corinthians 2:7-8: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew…”

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The Manifold Wisdom of God

God, in His enduring mercies, has mandated the church to preach the gospel to all creation, even to those blinded by the devil.

Scriptural References

• Ephesians 3:9: “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
• Ephesians 3:10: “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.”

The devil fears the light of God—Jesus Christ. This wisdom of God – revelation of His word – alone keeps the enemy at bay.

Principalities and powers are not afraid of a Christian who is prayerful, tongue speaking and in service to the kingdom. These demonic powers are only afraid of a Christian who is deeply rooted in the word of God – for had they known this wisdom, they would not have crucified the king of glory.

Scriptural Reference

• 1 Corinthians 2:8: “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

As a believer, it is your mandate to embody this wisdom and live by the principles and guidelines of God’s Word.

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Becoming the Wisdom of God

Believers must strive to become perfect and wise like Jesus Christ, built upon the wisdom of God.

1. Childlike Faith

To receive the wisdom of God, you need to come like a little child. You must surrender all your past opinions or perceptions of the world. This wisdom requires a childlike faith.

Scriptural References:

• Mark 10:15: “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
• Luke 17:20: “…The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed.”
• Luke 17:21: “…The kingdom of God is in your mindset.”

You have to cultivate and build a kingdom mindset. The kingdom mindset can only be developed once you humble yourself as a child to take in new wisdom from God. Simply forget all that the world has taught you and yield to the direction and light of the word of God.

2. Transformation of the Mind

Scripture emphasizes transformation through the renewal of the mind by the word of God.

Scriptural Reference:

• Romans 12:2: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Before salvation, your thinking patterns were confounded by human traditions and the wisdom of men. Now that you are in Christ—and Christ is in you, having the very mind of Jesus Christ—you must continually renew your mind by reading the word of God.

Scriptural Reference:

• 1 Corinthians 2:16: “…But we have the mind of Christ.”

Practical Examples of the Wisdom of God

As you grow in godly wisdom, you will see that many of your past beliefs and perceptions contradict the word of God. For instance, worldly wisdom often guides decisions about finances, marriage, family, career, and friendships, while God’s word provides different principles:

• Do not take offense, and forgive those who stumble you seventy times seven.
• Love your neighbor as well as your enemies; do not repay evil for evil.
• When you give to the poor, you are lending to God.
• Be angry at sin, but do not let the sun go down on your anger.
• Be perfect and holy as your Father in heaven is perfect and holy.
• Husbands, love your wives; wives, submit to your husbands.
• Avoid bad company, lest it corrupt your good morals.
• Teach your children in the ways of the Lord so they do not depart from it, even when they are old.
• Children must honor their parents and the elderly in society.
• True wealth or riches come from heaven—from God.
• The wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous.
• Do not be slothful but diligent and trustworthy in all your dealings.
• Do not work just to get money; labor in service for the Lord and for purpose.

In a world striving for autonomy, independence, financial freedom, power, and positioning, these principles clearly contradict worldly teachings.

Digest Questions