Worldly Wisdom

Let’s begin by looking at how education has been shaped in our society….

Here we are in our culture, a culture that is inevitably adrift on a storm-tossed sea of moral and spiritual confusion- education and instruction is not devalued in our culture, rather, it is overvalued.

In 1949, President Truman said, “education is our first line of defense. In the conflict of principle and policy which divides the world today. America’s hope, our hope, the hope of the world, is in education.” 

Lyndon B. Johnson also quoted, “The answer for all of our national problems comes down to one single word, education.”

Does education satisfy the hunger for meaning?

Although we are a more highly educated culture, we are plagued by crime, by violence, by greed, and fear. We are more educated about civil rights and racism, but it’s really questionable whether there is any less discrimination arising in the human heart. We have mastered to the point of stupidity, sex education, and in our culture, we don’t know what to do about sex. Why? The reason is that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and when that fear is not present, then individuals, families, churches, schools, cultures, nations, all live with the implication of their choices; The choice to despise wisdom and instruction.

Education without Godly wisdom provides no basis for life and provides no ability to face death. 

We must seek to ensure that the worldview of those who educate our children is comprehended; we must reinforce what the Bible teaches. We have to live with the implications of what happens when the worldview of education challenges and seeks to dismantle what the Bible says is foundationally true and fundamentally necessary for an understanding of life, death, and everything else. How do we understand money, power, marriage, authority, love, politics, science, or ecology; how do we understand anything without a foundation? The fear of the lord is the beginning of this. It is the foundational principle, and if the foundational principle is disengaged, then the implications follow. 

James 3:13-18- Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his (good) deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant, and (as a result) be in defiance of the truth. 15 This (superficial) wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly (secular), natural (unspiritual), even demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder (unrest, rebellion) and every evil thing and morally degrading practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure (morally and spiritually undefiled), then peace-loving (courteous, considerate), gentle, reasonable (and willing to listen), full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without (self-righteous) hypocrisy (and self-serving guile). 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace (by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals).

Note: James argues that true faith lives by God’s wisdom instead of secular, worldly wisdom. He describes how God’s wisdom is from above (3:17) and how worldly wisdom is earthly, natural, and demonic (3:15). The wisdom we live by tells who we are truly following-God or the world. It is apparent that many amongst these Jewish Christians, instead of living by God’s wisdom, were living by secular wisdom which was causing great conflict in their communities. Worldly wisdom teaches warped views on what beauty, success, marriage. parenting, sexuality, and morality are. If followed, this wisdom always leads to evil and disorder, as James 3:17 teaches and as we see in our culture today. Worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom are virtual opposites and have opposite fruits.

The fruits of worldly wisdom……

James 3:14-16- But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant, and (as a result) be in defiance of the truth. 15 This (superficial) wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly (secular), natural (unspiritual), even demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder [unrest, rebellion] and every evil thing and morally degrading practice.

-Worldly wisdom leads to bitter jealousy- “Bitter jealousy” can be translated “bitter envy.” The word “bitter” means “pointed” or “sharp.” James seems to be referring to the worst type of jealousy and envy-the kind that is harsh, destruction, and doesn’t care for the feelings or welfare of its objects.

-Worldly wisdom is characterized by selfishness- This is connected to selfish ambition.

-Worldly wisdom is characterized by deception- This is related to denying the truth.

-Worldly wisdom leads to disorder and evil practice- This is rooted in division.

Final Thought- Solomon received godly wisdom when he asked the Lord for it (2 Chronicles 1:10–11). He became known for his great wisdom, yet, in his later years, he turned away from following the wisdom he’d been given. He disobeyed the Lord and even began to worship idols (1 Kings 11:1–11). Receiving wisdom did not ensure that Solomon would follow the path of wisdom. Sadly, he exchanged his godly wisdom for worldly wisdom, and he suffered for it. The rest of 1st Kings 11 details Solomon’s downfall as the Lord removed His hand of blessing from a man who was once great.

Godly wisdom goes against the “conventional wisdom” of the day; it is not focused on self-preservation but on furthering the kingdom of God.