True Wisdom

By Fred Wikoff

Say wisdom and I think King Solomon. This association goes back to my childhood and Bible school. On the wall of our class room there was a picture of Solomon seated on his throne. A servant stood before him, arm outstretched, dangling a baby upside down by one leg, with a sword raised menacingly in the other hand while two women looked on.

Each woman claimed the baby was hers and took the dispute to the king. Unable to tell who was telling the truth Solomon commanded that the baby be cut in two and each woman given one half. At this prospect the real mother pleaded for Solomon to give the baby to the other rather than see her child killed. Thus Solomon wisely concluded that the mother pleading for the baby’s life was the true mother and gave her the child. (See 1Kings 3:16-28)

As a child, I never tired of hearing this story. Solomon’s wisdom in deciding the baby’s fate made such an impression on me that I, like Solomon, also asked God to grant me wisdom above anything else. (See 1Kings 3:10-13) But in the years after, seeing that my wisdom impressed no one but my mother, I knew that obtaining it to the extent I desired would take longer than expected.

Wisdom is a strange thing. We recognize it when it appears, but its origin is somewhat of a mystery. Intelligence, knowledge and experience are closely related to it and clearly influence its use, along with one’s ideals, principles and ethics; but none of these traits are wisdom or define it. And to complicate matters, what is judged wise or unwise at one point in a person’s life may be deemed the opposite as a person’s life experiences change.

Perhaps this uncertainty surrounding wisdom is why most humans yearn for it almost to the point of worshiping it. Adam and Eve certainly desired to be wise like God, “knowing good and evil.” (See Genesis 3:5) They got their wish, but quickly learned that simply knowing right from wrong does not guarantee a trouble free life or that even the right choices will be made . . . especially if the wise choice is other than what one desires.

Even wise Solomon found that “in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” Ecclesiastes 1:18 In the end he lumped human wisdom along with all of man’s other earthly pursuits as vanity.

The problem is that human wisdom or “the wisdom of the world” as the scriptures call it, is imperfect because it lacks God’s knowledge and guidance. Sin separates mankind from God; and the wisdom of man is corrupted by Satan It is no better than the flawed wisdom that caused this devious rulers own downfall. (See Luke 10:18)

The wisdom of the world is the direct opposite of God’s wisdom. It is the covert force that fuels the battle between God and Satan for our souls. It is the lie behind the rationale for all hate, violence and chaos in the world today. It’s the catalyst that has spawned more than 10,000 different religions; and deceives Christians into supporting over 32,000 different denominations worldwide. (Encyclopedia of American Religions - 2001 edition)

Sadly, these statistics reveal that even Christ’s followers are slow to recognize that it is God’s wisdom, not mans, that brings true harmony and meaning to our Christian service. We accept Christ and his teachings, and with our entire wisdom jump into the battle; shouting orders, taking command, and leading the assault. But this isn’t what God intended . . . he wants to lead . . . we are to follow.

Giving up our worldly wisdom, as imperfect as it is, is perhaps the most difficult choice we face if we are to grow spiritually. It goes against our “I’m number one, I’m my own boss, I can do anything heritage.” It means deflating swollen egos and becoming “as little children;” yielding our entire being to Christ so that he can work through us to expose the false wisdom of the world with the truth of God’s wisdom.

God’s wisdom says, “I created you. I love you. I want you.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except by me.” John 14:6

Of earthly wisdom one might well agree with the Apostle Paul and ask: “Where is the wise man . . . has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (See 1Corinthians 1:20-21)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish; but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Fred Wikoff writes from Eugene, Oregon. EugeneSpud@msn.com