1 Corinthians 1:25–26 (ESV): 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

The wisdom of this world is a real thing. The wisdom of God is different than the wisdom of man.

According to Noel Woodroffe, there are various kinds of wisdom.

There is natural wisdom that develops over the course of a person’s life. Through the school of hard knocks we learn things that help us make wiser decisions.       

Job 12:12 Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.

This is the kind of wisdom that we all hope to find as we move through life. What could be more disheartening than to be in the life of someone who is advanced in years, yet acts like a child?

He goes on to say that there is a kind of wisdom that comes from the study of God’s Word. The kingdom principles that are found in the Bible makes a person wise if they will come into agreement with them.

Psalm 119:4-5 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

Another form of wisdom that we find revealed in scripture is the wisdom that enters a person’s life through God’s discipline.

Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Wisdom in the life of a Christian comes from even another place as well. If in a situation that is perplexing, we can ask of the Lord, and he will give to us wisdom for the moment. Ultimately, this wisdom is found in scripture but not always dispensed through the reading of scripture as the prior form of wisdom.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

There is one more form of wisdom found in scripture. This is a very specific wisdom that is a direct impartation from the Lord, and it is for a very specific reason, it is apostolic wisdom. It is not simply more of the same – certainly this wisdom comes from the Lord, however, this wisdom is a part of the grace given to an apostle.

The purpose is to divinely discern the movements of the Holy Spirit and make decisions directed by the Holy Spirit for the building of the kingdom of God. Noel says that this wisdom is imparted and not earned or achieved. It is in keeping with the spiritual gift of apostle found in Ephesians chapter four.

Jesus alludes to the apostolic gift of wisdom when He was speaking about the broken religious system of the world and how He was going to remedy the dysfunction. Notice what He says.

Matthew 23:33-34 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men…

God gives wisdom in various ways. How are you in the receiving category? What stops us from receiving is believing that we are already wise. Our focal today, is a direct affront to those who believe they are already wise.

When we say we are wise and have no need of wisdom then we immediately place ourselves into the category of the foolish wisdom of this world. Wisdom from God is like food from God. I need a fresh supply for today. I will need a fresh supply for tomorrow.

Can you open-up your mind and heart today and ask God for wisdom?

He gives what you need for today.

Father, all wisdom comes from You. We are so grateful that we can have wisdom today. We need heaven’s wisdom in this earthly realm. Without You, we will find ourselves entangled in things that are so painful and debilitating. Please help us trust You and ask for wisdom every day. Thank You that through a relationship with Your Son Jesus we can have all the wisdom that we could ever need.

Blessings,

Pastor D