Category: Wisdom

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19).

Human “wisdom” that denies God or His word is described by Paul here as only illusory, (“seems to be wise”). Interestingly, he also refers to being wise “in this age.” It seems that every generation believes itself to be wiser than the one before. There is an arrogance of time that leads the current generation to disregard the accomplishments and knowledge of the previous one.

An example. Many of the most accomplished Presidents of our nation believed in God, and in the Bible’s inspiration. However, to many today, such a belief in and of itself makes a man unqualified to serve in the office. Such arrogance is disturbing.

The problem is that knowledge is equated with wisdom. Because men gain more and more understanding of technology, science and medicine, they think themselves to be more capable than their predecessors in other realms as well. However, there is nothing in those disciplines that either disproves or invalidates the words of the great apostle Paul, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:24-25).

To gain actual wisdom rather than the illusory wisdom that has its origin with men, we must turn to God and His will. We are fooling ourselves if we don’t. As our text states, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”

The apostle Paul knew of the tendencies of men to depend upon their own ideas and opinions to guide them in life. He also knew that such leads to ruin. He wrote, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

While men seek their own way, that they might receive praise from others, the wise man seeks God’s way to be accepted by Him. This is where Christ comes in, “you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that, as it is written, He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” (vs. 30-31).

This is why it is necessary to study, heed and obey the word of God. It is God’s way, the way to true wisdom and eternal life.

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10).

The world equates wisdom with the accumulation of technological insight, and the continual progression of moral change. People today are smarter, and less encumbered by outmoded superstitions and prejudices – so they say.

Oh really? Are we to equate political corruption, amoral lifestyle, extreme self-indulgence and a rejection of absolute values to some modern version of deep thought? If so, I choose to remain out of style and out of step.

As Paul wrote, “…the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

Wisdom begins with a “fear of the Lord.” That means that if one does not fear God, he can not be wise. Perhaps that is why Paul wrote so dismissively of the wisdom of men, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1:21). If you truly desire to be wise, fearing and knowing God is the place to begin.

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In the 101st Psalm, the singer makes five promises to the Lord that we would do well to emulate ourselves.

* Sing praises
* Behave wisely
* Set nothing wicked before my eyes
* Not endure slander and pride
* Bless the faithful

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In 1 Corinthians 1, the apostle Paul realistically predicted the reaction of most people to the message of the cross. He wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (18). Many times when I have preached a simple lesson on some aspect of truth, I will be asked by a brother or sister in Christ, “How can anyone in their right mind reject such an obvious truth?” The answer is given by Paul, it is foolishness to them. They reject the message and proofs supplied by God, preferring instead their own ideals and opinions. As Paul continued, “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” (22-23).

In contrast, to those “who are being saved”, the message of the cross is “the power of God” (18). In verse 24, the preaching of “Christ crucified” is said to be to “those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (24).

Continue reading “The Power of God’s Foolishness” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Colossians 4:5-6, the Apostle calls for wisdom, and graceful speech.

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In Genesis 13, Lot is recorded making a poor decision in pitching his tent toward Sodom. We too can make unwise life decisions if we are not careful. The lesson contains suggestions to follow to help make wise decisions.

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Based in part on Ephesians 5:15-17. The sermon discusses the ways of the wise. A wise man: Receives counsel; Guards his tongue; Flees from evil; Is prepared; and Obeys God.

Note: Powerpoint file created by Jeremiah Cox.

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An exegesis of Ephesians 5:1-21, discussing the exhortations of Paul to the church at Ephesus to walk in Love, Light and Wisdom.

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David’s charge to his son Solomon is examined in 1 Kings 2 as a means of encouraging manliness. Prove yourself a man:

* Take heed to your counselors
* Take heed to your goals
* Take heed to your relationships
* Take heed to your character

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I mentioned last Wednesday night a phrase coined by C.S. Lewis, as he considered his prejudice against the Christian faith early in his life. He called it his “chronological snobbery.” He defined the concept as, “the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate of our own age, and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited.”

Such chronological snobbery is certainly characteristic of American culture today. The acceptance of homosexuality, and the willingness to redefine marriage; the toleration of all types of sexual promiscuity; the characterization of abortion as a moral and ethical practice, and the villainizing of those who oppose it; the promotion of the “big bang” theory as an explanation of origins of the universe. All of these, and a multitude of others are promoted as the enlightened product of our age, with proponents looking down their noses at the “superstitions” and “outmoded thinking” of the past.

Of course, every generation perceives itself as enlightened and superior. And, every generation has its own illusions and wrong thinking. In contrast to this, we have God’s will, revealed and accessible through the Holy Scriptures. It stands in stark contrast to the failed philosophies and ideas of men. It is as relevant today as when it was first written. As the Psalmist wrote, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). Paul wrote, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

C.S. Lewis put it this way, “Whatever is not eternal, is eternally out of date.” To that we say, AMEN.

The wise man of the book of Ecclesiastes describes the despair of a life lived without God, the best way to be content while living upon the earth, and his final conclusion concerning the best way to live your life, for God (Ecclesiastes 12:9-13).

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In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, the apostle Paul declared that his preaching in their presence was characterized by the power of God rather than the wisdom of men. It is unfortunate that in many cases today, preachers place too much emphasis on the words of men rather than keeping proper attention to the words of God.

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Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox

Jeremiah uses the text of 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 to emphasize that our preaching should not be based in or heavy on illustrations, quotes and the wisdom of men. Effective preaching and teaching has its basis in God’s word!

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