“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise” (1 Corinthians 3:18).
The Bible asserts that “the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). He knows their thoughts, “that they are vain” (v.20). The thinking and prized things of the world are quite different from God’s. Jesus even said “that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God,” simply because that which is so often prized by people of the world is completely the opposite from what God prizes, values, and promotes (See Luke 16:15).
True wisdom “begins” with “the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 9:10). That is, if the wisdom we have is not rooted, grounded, based in, and premised from “fearing,” reverencing, respecting, and choosing to obey God then our wisdom is not wisdom at all, but rather foolishness.
The world values pride and show. God values humility and self-abasement (1 Peter 5:5; Matthew 16:24-25). The world values lust and immorality. God values purity of thought, self-control, and righteousness (Philippians 4:8; Galatians 5:23-24). The world values drunkenness and selfish pleasure. God values sobriety, moral purity with integrity, and love for others that puts their best good and well-being above our own (Ephesians 5:1-3, 17-18; Philippians 2:3). The world values multiple relationships for fun with experimentation. God values life-long marriage, fidelity, and dedication without messing around (Hebrews 13:4). The list could go on!
The world may “think it strange” that we (as Christ-followers) do not run along with them in the same corrupt passions, but God who calls us to be completely distinguished and separate from the world honors us, blesses, and praises when we take that step (1 Peter 4:3-4; 2 Cor. 6:15-18; 1 John 2:15-17). Have you ever been tempted to want to be like the world in some way? Or have you been curious to learn more about their ways? Probably most of us have. I’ve found that when Christ and His word are filling my heart, the things of this world grow strangely dim (as the old Hymn puts it). I’d rather be a “fool” in this world and considered naïve by it, while being wise in God and His ways any day! The wisdom of God is true, eternal, and life-saving! Let’s put God’s wisdom first! What do you say?
