For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” (1 Corinthians 3:19)
There’s one characteristic in all of us The Bible explicitly warns us to turn away from and subdue over and over again… how “smart” we think we are. We all have incredible potential to lean into this characteristic flaw whether we would like to admit it or not. We’ve all felt the desire to “show off ” our tremendous plethora of knowledge on things of the world. Health, politics, finances, fashion, child rearing, food, etc. All of us, in some time or another, have presented ourselves as a leading authority on these subjects and many more. If we don’t acknowledge this capability of pretentiousness in ourselves we can certainly see it in others. This person will somehow always have the answer to every question. If you’ve learned something new recently and tried to share it with this person and they themselves did not know either, they will then proceed to teach you about something. Their response will be something along the lines of… “that’s interesting, well did you know…?” They will typically “appear” to consider, but will always reject the advice or suggestions of others or will simply not even be open to it at all. This person takes much pride in proclaiming they are an “alpha”, and isn’t afraid to admit it in front of others. They actively seek out a position of leadership instead of being “appointed” this role or a better word would be “anointed”. If challenged, they always have to win. The irony, however, is the fact that if you can identify these qualities in others this is proof that you yourself suffer from this affliction as well.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)
If we let this “puffed up” version of ourselves lead the way then our lives will begin to bear its dead fruit. Often times, this counterfeit “wisdom” can be perceived or disguised as Godly wisdom, and it will take discernment via The Holy Spirit to see through it. Look around, and if you see people distancing themselves from you then this is a sign and a giveaway that you maybe becoming overly judgmental, overbearing, or overly controlling (examples of dead fruit). “Control” is a powerful one. Someone who has an extremely difficult time in relinquishing control is someone wrapped up in worldly wisdom. The more worldly wisdom they can attain, the more control they feel they have over their life. There’s a dangerous road this mentality leads to and it’s a place of “bitter envy and selfish ambition”…
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:13-16)
The more control you seek walking in your own ways the more disorder you will find. You’ll look around more, constantly worrying about how others perceive you, and as a result of this “worry” you may take up a works based sense of righteousness that YOU can do it on your own. Through this constant “surveying of the field” you can begin to compare your life with the lives of those around you, and you’ll say to yourself… “if their life is like that then my life should be that way too… if not better!” You’ll thrive on competitiveness and it will lead to a dark place. Often, in many cases, it may lead to an unhealthy financial debt. The worst case scenario is you’ll end up truly believing that your life is better than those around you.
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:1-3)
Confrontation and quarrels will arise more frequently because you’ll begin to feel as if you’re not getting what you want or deserve from those around you or life in general. It’s possible no one knew this better than Solomon…
I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)
Solomon prayed for wisdom…God answered…but Solomon’s flesh took the blessing “elsewhere”. So how does one combat the allure and temptation of worldly wisdom?
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
We need to identify within ourselves this tendency to move towards self elevation and actively turn away. This is done through faith by turning to our Savior in all things…
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that He jealously longs for the spirit He has caused to dwell in us? But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:4-7)
It’s not that God does not want us to pursue our passions and things that are pleasurable. He created everything for our enjoyment…
Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17)
These pursuits of our passions and pleasures only become sinful when pursued instead of God, before God, or in rebellion with God.
How do we grow in our relationship with Jesus? We grow in our “spiritual maturity” by first reading His holy word. Really reading, and not just fulfilling some allotted time slot you’ve set aside in your day to place a check mark on a “daily requirement list”. We need to immerse ourselves in scripture and deep dive into it with intention. This can be done through many ways. You’ll just need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
“Hearing” is reading His word and “hearing” with your mind and ultimately your heart. It’s hearing the pastors’ message in church. Conversing and sharing together in a group Bible study. There are many resources out there that God provides.
We should also have a healthy fear of our Lord’s discipline without constantly living “in fear” of it.
And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or give up when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves and chastises every son He accepts.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)
In the end, our faith should be propelling us toward God closer and closer each and every day. The closer we get, the more our attitude and personality will begin to reflect the humble, meek, and mild tone set by our Lord. How do I know the intelligent fool so intimately and in such great detail? Well, maybe it’s because all the above has been my life. I’ve been the intelligent fool and I’m watching him closely still.
A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left. Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. (Ecclesiastes 10:2-3)