Introduction. In our youth, the ability to master a task and do it well was very important to our self-esteem. Over time we learned that this is the essence of wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to understand what needs to be done, seek out the best way to do it, and apply oneself to the task until they can do it well. In this way we gained success, respect, and excellence.
This is a tiny portion of the wisdom God used when He created the heavens and the earth. Because we are in His image and after His likeness, we have access to this wisdom He left for us to use. It is an everlasting wisdom, existing in eternity, and used by God in all that He created.
When we follow God and seek His wisdom, we begin our journey to restore His image and likeness within us, making wise decisions and working in fellowship with Him to accomplish His eternal purpose. (Eph 3:9-10). This will bring great blessings to us and glory to Him. (1Pet 4:10-11). But there is a grave danger that we must put forth our greatest efforts to avoid.
The eternal wisdom of God has a devious and seductive counterfeit. In our world that is cursed by sin, a new wisdom has been devised to work with sin and error to gain great success. It is this wisdom that destroys others to enrich themselves. It makes people experts at the selfish misuse of others, including God, for their gain. This is the wisdom that false teachers use: “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” (Jas. 3:15-16)
This is a tiny portion of the wisdom God used when He created the heavens and the earth. Because we are in His image and after His likeness, we have access to this wisdom He left for us to use. It is an everlasting wisdom, existing in eternity, and used by God in all that He created.
- The Lord possessed me (wisdom) at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.” (Pr. 8:22-23)
When we follow God and seek His wisdom, we begin our journey to restore His image and likeness within us, making wise decisions and working in fellowship with Him to accomplish His eternal purpose. (Eph 3:9-10). This will bring great blessings to us and glory to Him. (1Pet 4:10-11). But there is a grave danger that we must put forth our greatest efforts to avoid.
The eternal wisdom of God has a devious and seductive counterfeit. In our world that is cursed by sin, a new wisdom has been devised to work with sin and error to gain great success. It is this wisdom that destroys others to enrich themselves. It makes people experts at the selfish misuse of others, including God, for their gain. This is the wisdom that false teachers use: “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” (Jas. 3:15-16)