Two Kinds of Wisdom

A Proverbs Tour

We all desire wisdom, right? We know there’s value in wisdom, in applying what we know to everyday living. We also know the value of teaching our children to be wise so they don’t embrace its polar opposite—foolishness.

But did you know that there’s more than one kind of wisdom? The counterfeit is wisdom that’s “earthly, natural, demonic” (James 3:15 NASB). It’s the kind of wisdom that puts “me” first and often puts God and the Bible last. It’s a wisdom that says there’s no absolute truth, only your truth and my truth. It’s a wisdom that makes evil seem good and good seem evil.

But true wisdom is wisdom which comes from above. And the beauty is that God doesn’t hide it from us. “Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the gates in the city, she utters her sayings…” (Proverbs 1:20-21). Yet something unbelievable happens. Though wisdom stretches out her hand, people aren’t paying attention (1:24). They’re ignoring her counsel and rejecting her correction (1:25). Proverbs tells us the reason: “Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord” (1:29). They chose the counterfeit over the truth.

The Bible tells us something else about wisdom—Christ is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). In fact—and I love this verse—in Jesus lies “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, we receive immense treasure, for the wisdom from above cannot be compared to the wisdom of this world.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, you possess a treasure trove of wisdom. All you have to do is ask and God will supply your need. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). If you haven’t yet bowed the knee to the Savior, He’s stretching out His hand. Will you respond?

Heavenly Father, close my ears to counterfeit wisdom. I want ears to hear only true wisdom, Your wisdom. Help me to know the difference. Establish me in Your truth, in Jesus’ name, Amen.