Text: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect:  yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:  7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  8 Which none of the princes of this world knew:  for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.   9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.   10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:  for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Saturday, 17^th August 2024

TYPES OF WISDOM: THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD

Text: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 3: 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

The wisdom of this world though so crafty, yet the Lord will take them when he discovers their deceit. Whether it be the pretended deep and occult wisdom of the religious leaders, or the wire-drawn speculations of the philosophers, is foolishness with God; for as folly consists in spending time, strength, and pains to no purpose, so these may be fittingly termed fools who acquire no saving knowledge by their speculations.  Has one soul been made wise unto salvation through it?  Are our most eminent philosophers either spiritual or useful men meek, gentle, and humble?  Which of them directs his research to meliorate the moral condition of his fellow creatures?  Pride, insolence, self-conceit, and complacency, with a general forgetfulness of God, contempt for his word, and contempt for the poor, are their general characteristics.

Whatever is respected to be wisdom by the men of this world about religion does not mean that true wisdom is foolishness with him. It does not mean that science, and prudence, and law that the knowledge of his works, that astronomy, and medicine, and chemistry, are regarded by him as folly, and as unworthy the attention of men. God is the Friend of truth, on all subjects; and he requires us to become acquainted with his works, and commends those who search them out, Psalms 92:4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. And in Psalms 111:2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. But the apostle refers here to that which was esteemed to be wisdom among the ancients, and in which they had so much pride in themselves, their vein, self-confident, and false opinions on the subject of religion; and especially those opinions when they were opposed to the simple but sublime truths of revelation.

For all the boasted wisdom of the world is mere foolishness in the sight of God.  He taketh the wise in their own craftiness, not only while they think they are acting wisely, but by their very wisdom, which itself is their snare, and the occasion of their destruction.

Job 5:13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong. Their proposal is advanced before it is ripe.

CGDS HYMN 40: SS & S 530:

WITH MY SAVIOUR EVER NEAR TO GUIDE ME

1. With my Saviour ever near to guide me,

I am safe, whatever may betide me;

From the storm and tempest He will hide me

In the hollow of His hand !

Refrain:

In the hollow ... of His hand I . . .

In the hollow ... of His hand I . . .

I am safe whatever may betide me,

In the hollow of His hand !

2. In His arms of love He doth enfold me ;

Words of peace His voice divine hath told me ;

I am safe, for God Himself doth hold me

In the hollow of His hand !

3. He will guard my soul, and leave me never;

From His love no power on earth shall sever;

And I know He'll keep me now and ever

In the hollow of His hand !

 Prayers 

1.  Lord Jesus, help me to always live beyond the wisdom of this world.

2.  LORD God Almighty, let Your wisdom prove its supremacy in my life above the wisdom of world in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.