Walk In Wisdom

Not all wisdom is created equal so be careful who's wisdom you follow.

Ephesians 5:15-17  So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise.  16  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  17  Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.   

12  And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13  while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.   

14  He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

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There was a lot of interest in wisdom in the society that Paul was living in. The people of the city of Ephesus included many Greeks that would be familiar with the popular philosophy and wisdom that the nearby city of Athens is famous for.

These lovers of wisdom studied the concepts of logic and the idea of reality, our existence, and knowledge. The wisdom that these people had is foolishness to God, the Greek idea of wisdom was about the mind and having superior intellect but God wants his people to have wisdom from him which is about living by his standards, the two viewpoints do not mix well.

The converted pagans had a difficult time breaking away from the man made gods and the philosophies of man. It doesn't take any effort to live contrary to God's wisdom, the wisdom of man comes naturally to us, it seems logical to us. It takes effort to align your idea of wisdom with God's because we can't comprehend his wisdom. How can the first be last or the greatest be the least?

Job 12:13 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his."

Since our minds are programed to think that God's wisdom doesn't make sense, we have to be careful that we are following God's wisdom instead of mans. Sometimes we trick ourselves into believing that our human wisdom is actually God's wisdom so that we can do what we want to do.

Traits of the fool: Disbelief Luke 24:25  Then Jesus said to them, "You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Disobey Galatians 3:3  How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Desire Wrong Things 1 Timothy 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. Does Wrong James 3:15  For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

There is a connection between having God's wisdom, his righteousness and being devoted to him and there is a connection between being a fool and being involved in wicked behavior. We cannot be like God and be wise and also be involved in the pleasures of this world.

Lord, I am looking forward to the day that you return and this battle with human wisdom is over. I want to live by your wisdom and accept the truth of your word. The day of your return is way more exciting to me than the empty pleasures of this world.