1 Corinthians 1:27-31 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

There is something in us that is very normal, even natural, that is costly, even deadly. And God wants that thing that is normal and natural to be shamed. I believe the intent here is that it would be exposed for what it really is. Shamed doesn’t mean ridiculed, shamed means exposed for the fallacy and futility it contains.

God exposes the futility of earthly wisdom.

Man says in his mind that you must be wise, mighty, and rich – these things are what life is all about! These things are of great value in our world.

Earthly wisdom is the reliance upon the wrong thing. To be able to trust is good, trusting the wrong thing is fatal. A life that is built up is a good thing. A life built on the wrong thing is disastrous. 

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

The world says, “I am wise, I can understand things, therefore I rely upon….” Having wisdom is one thing, using the wisdom to build a structure for life that ushers a person straight into death is to be deceived.

The point of wisdom is to live long and escape travesty. The point of wisdom is to secure peace and joy, for life to have contentment and satisfaction in it. So, what if what I believe will bring to me contentment, ultimately won’t?

Our author is making a point that the world has a very hard time accepting. He is saying that the way wisdom is found in the world and those who control it have lost their power to control wisdom. You see, the wisdom of this world is either earned, bought, or stolen. And those who get it, safeguard the process and definition to protect themselves. It is all smoke and mirrors, a charade by the enemy to lead people away from fearing the author of true wisdom.

So, our Father in heaven brings wisdom, true wisdom to the world through those who would be the least likely to contain it. Because of Jesus and His followers, the wisdom of God cannot be earned, bought, or stolen. It is only dispensed and contained inside of a relationship with God.

James helps us understand clearly the distinction between those who are tapping into the wisdom from heaven and the wisdom that comes from pursuit of the ideologies of this world.

James 3:13-17 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Wisdom from above is pure, it comes from the mind and heart of God. He gives you His thoughts and motivations.

Wisdom from above is so much like God because it comes from His heart, He is the God of peace. Therefore, at the center of wisdom is a movement toward the peace of God. If Your answers to the dilemmas of the world require that you compound complexity – ask God for more wisdom in simplicity.

Wisdom has no desire for violence in the physical. There is great desire in the spiritually wise and mature for spiritual violence and that is prompted by kingdom building efforts. There is no true kingdom of God building without violence, but only in the spirit. We are called by the heart of God to walk in gentleness in the flesh and warriors in the spirit. Look at Jesus, He did this flawlessly.

Wisdom can discuss and listen. Wisdom knows how not to argue and can contemplate first. Rather than reacting and making messes, wisdom thinks ahead of time and moves out led by the Holy Spirit. It is a pain to have to go back and repair a bridge you burned realizing you must go across that bridge to get to where God wants you to go.

Wisdom gives you a merciful heart because it is God’s heart that beats in your heart. Good fruit exists in the life of the wise. How satisfying to look upon your past and see blessing and favor rather than carnage and body parts all along the path.

The wisdom of God teaches a person how to see through to the motives of others. this enables you to know the alliances that exist right before your eyes. God gives you wisdom to not be tied down in ways that inhibit and impede the moving of His Spirit within you. Wisdom is the application of limitations. Impartiality means I stake no claim, I have no rights, I am entitled to nothing in this world. Dead people do not declare rights and entitlements.

I pray that you with all sincerity will lay down the pursuit of the wisdom of this world. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, be open to the mind and the heart of God. He gives of His heart freely and lovingly.

Father, thank You for giving to us a picture and representation of You in Jesus Christ. We receive wisdom from You today. We need wisdom. Lord, we don’t even realize how deceived we have become. Would You rid us of this dying world’s ways and renew our minds as we pursue you? Thank You Father for making this possible through Jesus.

Blessings,

Pastor D