True Wisdom

We recently completed our series through the book of Ecclesiastes on Sunday mornings at church. Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon at the end of his life as a means of reflection and repentance. Here we have a man whom God had blessed with immense wisdom, and yet he spent much of his life squandering that wisdom by pursuing the things the world had to offer; political power, architectural accomplishments, immense wealth, and worldly knowledge. At the end of it all, Solomon looked back and proclaimed "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity" - Ecclesiastes 1:2 (ESV). Solomon came to the sober realization that a person could achieve everything in this life and still have absolutely nothing if they don't know God.

Solomon pursued what the Apostle Paul would later call the wisdom of this age (1 Corinthians 2:6). This wisdom is a carnal wisdom. It is a wisdom that boasts in the flesh. The wisdom of this age revels in intellect, innovation, and influence. The wisdom of this age admires human brilliance far more than it does divine revelation. Many pursue this wisdom, but this wisdom does not fulfill nor does it reveal truth. Ultimately, this wisdom comes up short and leaves people wanting. This wisdom, with its philosophies, systems, and political powers, will eventually fade away. There is no lasting satisfaction to be had in the wisdom of this age.

In contrast to the wisdom this age is the wisdom of God. This is where true wisdom comes from. It is an eternal wisdom; a wisdom that does not come by human reasoning and understanding. Paul refers to this wisdom as a "secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory" - 1 Corinthians 2:7 (ESV). This wisdom is not learned through textbooks, classrooms, or seminars, nor is is this wisdom learned by seeking out sages, pundits, or scholars. This wisdom is not learned - it is revealed, and it can only be revealed by the Spirit of God. Paul affirms this when he writes that the "natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (2:14).

The good news is that the wisdom of God is available to all who would ask for it. James tells us that we can ask God for His wisdom and He will give it "generously to all without reproach" (James 1:5). The only reason people do not have this wisdom is because they do not ask for it. If they would, God would give it to them.

True wisdom is found through divine revelation. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal God's mind, and only through Him can we live by divine wisdom.