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Campus Bible Talk meets every Monday during the school year (except during holidays and during Reading Week Breaks) at Athabasca Hall, Heritage Lounge, at 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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Monday, April 23, 2012

Wisdom

Last Monday, we studied about "Wisdom," focusing on the types of wisdom.  We saw that there is the worldly wisdom and the heavenly wisdom, and that must seek the heavenly wisdom that comes from God.

Below are the notes from our discussion.
April 16, 2012
Wisdom
Opening Question: What is something you did without knowing everything about it or without having all the information, only to find out that you did something wrong?  How did you correct it later on?
Wisdom, knowledge, understanding are all important things in our lives.  We cannot function well and cannot do much without a proper understanding of the basics of life.  Without knowledge it is difficult to live a good Christian life.  And without wisdom we can make mistakes that may have a tremendous impact on our physical and spiritual lives.
As you may have guessed, today we are going to talk about wisdom, from the Biblical point of view.  But before we go to the Bible, what is the definition of wisdom?  How do we understand that?
Wisdom means to have the experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.  It also means the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of such experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
In sum, it is not just having the information, the knowledge, but also to use that knowledge in the right way.
What does the Bible say about wisdom?
In James 3:13-18, we read: 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
In verse 13, we read the good advice of showing your wisdom and understanding in your life, with humility, a humble spirit, not arrogant and boasting. 
James continues to explain that there are two kinds of wisdom: the worldly wisdom or “wisdom”—verses 14-16—and the godly wisdom or the wisdom that comes from heaven—verses 17-18.
What is worldly wisdom?
James defines it as “bitter envy and selfish ambition,” “earthly,” “unspiritual,” “demonic.”  It brings with it “disorder” and “every evil practice.”
Where does the worldly wisdom come from?  How can it affect us?  What happens when we follow worldly wisdom?
Worldly wisdom is evil, but also inaccurate.  There are many examples over the history that something which was considered for a very long time as true and wise turned out to be wrong and foolish (e.x. Pasteur)
James contrasts the worldly wisdom to godly wisdom.  In verses 17-18, he says that godly wisdom or the wisdom that comes from heaven is “pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Where does the godly wisdom come from?  How can it affect us?  What happens when we follow godly wisdom?
Godly wisdom is found, of course, in the Bible.  By following the commandments of God rather than those of men, we can gain the true godly wisdom.
Romans 12:10 says:  10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
This verse and many more in the Bible indicate that godly wisdom, the type of wisdom we should all have, is not an abstract, philosophical concept, but something we should all show in our lives.  We cannot pretend to be wise, but not show it in our lives.  In the same way that we cannot advocate to people to save money, while we are living lavishly in our own lives.
In 1 Corinthians 1:17-19, we read: 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.  18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
 the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
The Bible is not written by men, so worldly wisdom cannot be reconciled to what God expects from us, Christians.  Worldly wisdom cannot explain or accept many things in the word of God.  But we know that is the truth, giving to us by the wisdom of God.
Our last verse comes from Proverbs 9:10, which sums up how we can begin to gain this godly wisdom.  This verse says: 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Fear, meaning reverence and respect for God is the beginning of wisdom.  If we understand what God wants from us, we can gain His wisdom and show it clearly in our lives.
Conclusions
There is both worldly wisdom and godly wisdom, and we can chose which one we are going to follow.  God wants us to seek and find His wisdom, which will lead us to act in the way that is acceptable to God.  In our next lesson, we are going to explore some of the ways in which we can find this godly wisdom.
 

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