The Wisdom of God Versus the Wisdom of the World (James 1:5 Expounded)

The Wisdom of God Versus the Wisdom of the World (James 1:5 Expounded) [Print Document]

James 1:5 — “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

There are two types of wisdom that God speaks of in His Word, the Bible: (1) the wisdom of the world and the devil; and (2) the wisdom of God. The wisdom of the devil is the main factor controlling the wisdom of the world because the devil is the leader (“god”) of this world.  2 Corinthians 4:4 says: “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

The Greek word for “god” is theos, which can apply to God Himself, but it also applies to false gods and even magistrates (a civil official). So, Satan, in essence, is called the magistrate or ruler of this world. With his demonic “wisdom,” the devil has blinded the minds of people who do not believe the truth, which is found in the Bible.

The Carnal Mind and the Devil

This demonic “wisdom” is what Satan promotes to people through Hollywood movies, religions, philosophy, the arts, science (which is really made of man’s hypothesis and theories), psychology, and through many other systems of belief about the world in which we live. This “wisdom” is foolishness to God. Paul (by the Holy Spirit) wrote these words:

[1 Corinthians 3:18-21]

“[18] Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. [20] And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. [21] Therefore let no man glory in men.”

The world has wisdom, but it is foolishness with God. With all due respect, we can even say that the wisdom of doctors, and psychiatrists, and medical professionals is foolishness with God. How so? If the beliefs of a doctor or psychiatrist is not in agreement with God’s Word, the Bible, his (or her) advice to instruction to you is foolishness with God (if it contradicts God’s Word). For, example, a doctor tells a patient that he only has a month to live. According to the wisdom of the natural world, the patient has a serious form of cancer that “cannot be cured.” But, what does God’s Word say?

The Reason We can Be Healed

Jesus said these words in John 14:

John 14:12-14

“[12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. [13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

In Matthew 8, we learn how Jesus healed all who were sick, or affected with physical problems, that the prophecy of Isaiah 53 would be fulfilled.

Matthew 8:16-17

“[16] When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: [17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”

Isaiah 53:4-5

“[4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

The Hebrew word for grief is choli. It is defined as: “disease, grief, is sickness” (Strong’s Concordance). Jesus bore on Himself our diseases, both physical and spiritual. That is how we can receive miraculous healing from God. Doctors say that the disease is incurable, but God says, in essence, that by Jesus Christ’s stripes (from a whip), people who believe in God’s power are healed. Jesus took the penalty of sin, including consequences such as diseases (which entered the world after Adam and Eve sinned), on Himself.

Because Jesus paid for our sins (which applies to those who believe on His Name and make Him their personal Savior and Lord), we can be sure that Jesus shall heal us. Therefore, the wisdom of the world is null and void when it comes to God’s wisdom.

Why We cannot Depend on

Our Mind or Our Wisdom

But, the devil wants people to follow the wisdom of the world and of the carnal (natural) mind. When people die, their bodies cease to exist. But, then after the body dies, what happens to the person? Evolutionists will say that they cease to exist. But, where did the intelligence, creativity, and irreducible complexity of the person come from? As Christians, we know the answer is God. God gave us our intelligence, creativity, and created our cells with irreducible complexity.

But, because sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God in eating the forbidden fruit, our natural intelligence is corrupted by sin, and our bodies slowly decay and age. God shows in His Word, the Bible, that we cannot trust our carnal minds (intelligence) because of the corruption of sin.

Romans 8:5-7

“[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

What does God have to say about the carnal mind? It is enmity against God. Enmity is defined by Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary as: “1. The quality of being an enemy; the opposite of friendship; …” The Greek word for enmity is echthra, which means “enmity, hatred.” This is a strong word. Our carnal mind is an enemy of God. Why? It belongs to the old nature that we died to when when we made Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. That old nature is corrupt and wicked. Paul wrote this in Ephesians 4:

[Ephesians 4:19-24]

“[19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. [20] But ye have not so learned Christ; [21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

The Old Man (Nature)

and Renewing Our Mind

God’s Word says that the old man is corrupt according to deceitful lusts. It was crucified with Christ, but it is still a vehicle through which the devil tempts Christians. We are to forsake everything to do with the old nature, and renew the spirit of our mind, putting on the new nature we have in Christ. How do we renew the spirit of our mind? The answer is found in the Bible.

Romans 8:6 says: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” [End quote]. So, we have to forsake the carnal mind, and its lusts, and forsake what makes logical sense to us.

Romans 12:2 says: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” [End quote]. As Christians, we must not be conformed to the ways of this world, such as seeking our own will, like the world does, or pursuing what the world pursues, such as fame, wealth, immorality, or pride.

1 Peter 1:13-15 says: “[13] Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: [15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;” [End quote].

Girding up (i.e. anazónnumi) the loins (waist) of our mind is a metaphor from the girding up, or binding up, of a long tunic so that one could run or do active work. Preparing our minds for God’s coming Kingdom on earth is important. We do this by obeying God and not fashioning ourselves (adapting to or looking like) (i.e. suschématizó) the way we were in our former lusts. God has called us to be holy in all the ways in which we live; our morals; and in our behavior (i.e. anastrophé) (See Endnote). But, how do we obey God?

Psalm 1:2 says: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” By delighting in God’s Word (which is based on the Ten Commandments) and meditating on it day and night (i.e. throughout the day or night), we naturally will obey it. (Meditate means: “1. To dwell on any thing in thought;[sic]...” (See Endnote).

So, why should we be holy or godly in how we live our lives? 1 John 1 gives the answer.

1 John 1:5-10

“[5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

The Greek word for fellowship is koinónia. It means: “contribution (2), fellowship (12), participation (2), sharing (3).” (Strong’s Concordance includes “communion” in the definition of koinónia.) According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, “fellowship” includes in its definition: “7. Communion; intimate familiarity. …” (See Endnote). This is personal fellowship and friendship, where the friends are speaking or communicating with each other. That is what Christianity is all about. It is fellowship with God.

The second half of 1 John 1:3 says: “...and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” If we walk in the darkness of sin and of the carnal mind, we could not have fellowship with God (1 John 1:6). But, if we walk in obedience to God’s Word and in agreement with His Spirit, we then would be walking in the light, and having fellowship with Abba God.

Conclusion

The carnal mind is God’s enemy, and that is why the devil wants us to use it. Because it is corrupted by sin and deception, we cannot trust it. Seeking God, listening to His Spirit, and meditating on His Word are important so that we will know: what is right and what is wrong; what we should or shouldn’t do; and what is truly wise, and what is foolish. Let’s seek God and rest in His arms of love. He will give us wisdom and understanding if we depend on Him and trust Him.

James 1:5 — “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

If you are coming here as a non-Christian, I encourage you to read this. God desires to have fellowship with you, as you make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior.

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References: Webster, Noah. American Dictionary of the English Language. United Books Press, Inc., 2009. (i.e. Webster's 1828 dictionary) Biblehub.com.

Endnote:

What Meditation Is

According to Webster's 1828 dictionary, meditate means: “1. To dwell on any thing in thought;[sic]...” [End quote].

Meditation is not Eastern mysticism. It is actually the opposite. By meditating on God’s Word, we are dwelling on it, pondering it, and continuing to think about it throughout the day or night. Meditating on God’s Word is fellowship with God too because we can ask God any question we want, and He will reply. God said to us these words in Jeremiah 33:3: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Fashion Defined

In Webster’s 1828 dictionary, “fashion” is defined as: “2. To fit; to adapt; to accommodate; ....”

Conversation Defined

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines “conversation” as: “General course of manners; behavior; deportment; especially as it respects morals.”

Communion Defined

The same dictionary defines “communion” as: “Fellowship; intercourse between two persons or more; …” (Note: Intercourse means communication, according to this dictionary.)