Intro: Humanity could use a big dose of wisdom and the true way of wisdom is the way of God! Scripture teaches about worldly wisdom vs. godly wisdom; both will impact a person’s perspective on life. The world’s wisdom is always self-centered; motivated by pride, pleasure, and is focused solely on the human point of view. In Scripture, Satan tries to tempt Jesus [through Peter] to embrace worldly wisdom over godly wisdom when Peter reprimands Jesus for saying he must “go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Mat 16:21). When Peter hears Jesus speak of suffering, all he can think of is a way to stop it. Peter knows if Jesus suffers and dies it means similar things for himself. Jesus responds to Peter, “Get away from me Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s” (Mat 16:23). Jesus loves Peter, but he knows worldly wisdom when he hears it and identifies the source—Satan.
Godly wisdom is striving to see life from God’s holy perspective and act accordingly; it is foreign to human flesh. Therefore, godly wisdom leads human beings into living righteously before him and treating others the way God would treat them. Holy wisdom is pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:17). When we lack wisdom, we are to ask God for it! (James 1:5a).
In our passage today, David shares a psalm of wisdom. He has suffered from his disobedience and foolishness; David has learned the value of godly wisdom. Fools—those who practice wickedness but think they have all the answers—actually have no revelation of God; therefore, no divine understanding. Jeremiah writes, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (17:9). Because of sin, we are not innately good people. However, hallelujah for Good News! God connects believers with Christ; for our benefit God has made Jesus to be godly wisdom itself (1 Cor 1:30). In our obedience to Christ, we can extend the wisdom and goodness of God to others. Godly wisdom is a result of God with us! Let’s live with an awareness of God’s presence and wisdom with us, today!
Psalm 14:1-5 NLT A psalm of David.
1
Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!
2
The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race;he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.
3
But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt.No one does good, not a single one!
4
Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.
5
Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey him.
Prayer: Lord, please remind me today of your presence with me and help me live in your holy revelation and wisdom. May your goodness and wisdom flow from me into others for your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.