What Does It Look Like to Walk in God's Wisdom? 1 Corinthians 3:11-23]

18Let no man deceive himself If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS"; 20and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS." 21So then let no one boast in men For all things belong to you, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.

 

How do you become foolish so that you can become wise? As you are confronted with a situation in life, how can you know what God wants you to do?

  • Acknowledge that you are deceived the minute you think you know what you are supposed to do; that it is actually craftiness (how the serpent came to Adam and Eve, offering the ability to be wise).  Ask God to catch you in your thought and ask Him to cause you to:
    • recognize that the wisdom the world offers is foolishness before God (becoming stoic or epicurean)
    • recognize that our reasonings are useless
  • Ask God to cause you to instead boast that you belong to Christ and that Christ belongs to God and so all things belong to you.
  • Ask God to give you His wisdom instead.  James 1:5 says "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him." (Holman CSB)
  • Walk forward knowing that since you asked God, He is giving it. Ask Him to do it (whatever He is calling you to do) in you through His power (GRACE). 
This reminds me of Proverbs 3:5-6,
 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
         And do not lean on your own understanding.
    6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
         And He will make your paths straight.

Lord, cause us to trust You with our whole heart, today, and not rely on our own understanding in each thing we do.
Verna McCrillis, 11/10/2008