Why the World's Wisdom is Foolish

The book of Proverbs has long been a “go to” book of the Bible for me; whether I am facing a difficult decision, need wisdom, or offering counsel to someone else. I have discovered the stability of God’s Word. I cannot trust my gut or feelings, those things change! God’s Word is eternal and stable (cf. Psalm 119:89).

• Wisdom is the ability to discern a proper course of action with the proper knowledge.

Wisdom is not merely taking action and hoping for the best. It is a combination of both proper information and proper action.  When we are given bad information we will make bad decisions. When we are given good information we can make good decisions. If we have no information our decisions are left to uncertainty (like flipping a coin).  God’s Word declares “a wise man will hear and increase learning” (Proverbs 1:5a) and “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7b). “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart” (Proverbs 18:2).  Worldly wisdom shouts that we should just “go with our gut,” but godly wisdom calls for us to seek proper knowledge that produces a proper course of action.

• Our source of knowledge is essential to developing the proper course of action.

Notice the type of counsel we are to seek, “A man of understanding will attain wise counsel” (Proverbs 1:5b).  There are two pastors in my life that I turn to for wise counsel (Doug King and Steve Smith). These two men have mentored me for more than 20 years! I see the fruitfulness of the Holy Spirit in their lives and I can trust their counsel because it is founded on God’s Word.  My parents have also been a source of great wisdom. “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother” (Proverbs 1:8). A few years ago I sat down and wrote down as many “wisdom phrases” that I could recall from my childhood. I developed a list of nearly two dozen phrases that served as a backdrop for developing wisdom in my own life.

The Bible makes it clear that not all counsel is the same. While I will admit that we can learn from anyone, I have limited the most intimate counsel in my life to family and two pastors who have demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). These are qualities that I value and desire for my own life, therefore they are the qualities of those that I allow to speak truth into my life.

In contrast, we are to shun counsel that focuses on worldly gain. The unwise counselor says, “We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil; cast in your lot among us, let us all have one purse” (Proverbs 1:13-14). Unwise counselors will not always couch their advice in these terms, but that is why discernment is essential.  “Wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her” (Proverbs 8:11).  Worldly wisdom is boastful of worldly accomplishments, but godly wisdom will always make more of Jesus!

• Ignoring wise counsel brings calamity into our lives.

Have you ever watched someone act shocked when they face the consequences of poor decisions and have rejected wise counsel? They ignored every cautionary bit of wisdom and are surprised when things turned south! “They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke” (Proverbs 1:29-30).  Worldly wisdom is self-serving and causes harm, but godly wisdom is concerned for others and does not bring destruction.

Do you value knowledge? Are you seeking wise counsel? Wisdom is calling out, “Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:33).