Godly Wisdom (2 Cor. 3:18-20)

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS”; and again, “THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18-20, NASB)

At my small group the other night, one of our ladies was talking about how she sometimes felt inadequate because she didn’t have a string of letters after her name. She never got a degree, so sometimes she felt … well, less than others. We all assured her that a degree doesn’t necessarily equal superior intellect or wisdom. Often, it means that someone worked really hard to get it, but he or she might not be any smarter than one without a degree.

One of the most intelligent people I know never received a degree, but he knows so much about history, science, geography … much more than I, with my two degrees, know about them.

We so often look at earthly “wisdom” as being something of great importance. And I’m not saying that education and seeking knowledge here on earth is a bad thing. But we Christians have to be careful not to rely too much on the “wisdom of this age.”

This world’s wisdom tells us that fame is important. We should strive for riches. We should live for "sex, drugs, and rock and roll."

The Bible tells us something very different. Jesus told His disciples that they—and we—should be “poor in spirit … gentle … merciful … peacemakers” (see Matthew 5:3-9). We should love others just as Jesus loved us—and He was willing to die for us (see John 15:12).

We should keep ourselves pure:

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD …
(Psalm 24:3-5a)

And “How can a young person [and may I say an old person as well?] lead a clean [pure] life? By carefully reading the map of [God's] word” (Psalm 119:9, The Message).

We should seek righteousness. As the psalmist wrote, "For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield” (5:12). A later psalm asks:

O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
(15:1-2)

We are to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).

We need to seek godly wisdom. Instead of—or in addition to—reading the latest bestseller, we should be reading His word. Before we talk to our friends, we should talk to Him.

Seek the Lord’s wisdom because that’s where we learn to be like Christ. Truly wise.