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

Expounding Galatians Chapter 5, Verse 1 ― Stand Fast in the Liberty (Part 2 of 2)

Expounding Galatians Chapter 5, Verse 1 ― Stand Fast in the Liberty (Part 2 of 2)
[Print Document]

(Read part 1 here.)

Galatians 5:1

“[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

This is the second part of our article expounding Galatians 5:1. In the first part we learned about what God’s grace is, and what it isn’t. We saw how false teachers, mentioned in 2 Peter 2, would teach excessively about grace (or liberty), and ignore the teaching about true repentance from sin.

In this article, we will see how Aaron, out of fear of the people (i.e. peer pressure), compromised his standards and built an idol for the people. And, we will see how false teachers are building golden calves of false doctrines, which are destructive to those deceived by them.

The Golden Calf

In Deuteronomy 9, Moses was speaking to the Israelites that had come through 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Moses reminded them of the golden calf that they worshiped after he had gone up to Mount Sinai. Listen to what he said:

Deuteronomy 9:9-12

“[9] When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:

[10] And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.

[11] And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant. [12] And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.”

After Moses went up to the mount, the people began to remember the idols of Egypt. Many of them did not desire God. The reason many came up with Moses was to escape the bondage of slavery in Egypt, but not really to serve God. Their hearts were not really toward God. When their spiritual leader left to get the Ten Commandments, and had been gone for over a month, they began to speak of building and worshiping a golden idol.

Exodus 32:1 ― “[1] And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.”

Aaron Built the Golden Calf (but Later Repented)

Expounding Galatians Chapter 5, Verse 1 ― Stand Fast in the Liberty… (Part 1 of 2)

Expounding Galatians Chapter 5, Verse 1 ― Stand Fast in the Liberty... (Part 1 of 2)
[Print Document]

 Galatians 5:1

“[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

The very first words we read in Galatians chapter 5 give Christians a command to stand fast in the liberty purchased by Jesus at the cross of Calvary. What is this liberty from? Is is liberty from the Levitical laws of the Old Testament, such as burnt sacrifices and offerings, observing feast days, not eating pork, etc.? Indeed, Jesus fulfilled the law, and purchased our redemption at Calvary. But, what kind of liberty is God giving us in Galatians 5:1? Is it the liberty to live for selfish reasons?

God does give us liberty from the Old Covenant of works, such as the Levitical laws and duties. God does give us grace each moment so that we can live in fellowship with Him, and not be under the bondage of sin. God’s grace gives us the power to overcome sin and to triumph over it, not be overcome by it (1 Cor. 15:56-57).

Sin itself is made strong by the law, but when we give place to sin, God has grace so that we can be forgiven and turn back to Him.

Romans 5:20-21

“[20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: [21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Grace ― What It Is and What It Isn’t