Wise or Foolish?

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As Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he discussed in detail the difference between wisdom and foolishness. One’s perception on whether or not something is wise or foolish is often based on whether or not they understand that concept. As Paul starts out the discussion he makes the statement that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” Yet we know that the preaching of the cross is the power to save (Romans 1:16-18). How is it then that the same preaching can be both the power to save and foolishness?

Sometimes wisdom is only perceived wisdom. There are many people who are fairly smart before they get an education and seem to lose all common sense once they are educated. Many times when we are wise in our own eyes we fail to see the true wisdom of God which far surpasses our own wisdom. Our most intellect wisdom is foolishness to God. 1 Corinthians 1:19-20 says, “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”.

So God sent the apostles to preach the Gospel. To many, this Gospel is foolishness or a stumbling block, but to the “simpleminded” who can see the true wisdom, the Gospel is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:21-24 says, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

We often forget the great wisdom of God. We often forget that our wisest moments are still just foolishness in the mind of God. It is interesting that there are not many “wise” people who follow God. Is it because in their great wisdom they have come to realize that there is no God? Is it because in their great wisdom they have found a better way to navigate life and a better way to get to heaven? Or is it because in their own perceived wisdom they have rejected the true wisdom that God offers? Is it because the wisdom of God is so far beyond their understanding that they completely reject it? Isn’t it interesting how that some of the most foolish things in this world are the very things that wise of this world cannot solve. 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 says, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called : But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea , and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

Yet when we trust in God and in Christ, God is wisdom to us. God is wisdom to us because we trust His wisdom and follow Him. We realize that His wisdom is so far beyond our own that we put our faith and trust in His commands and follow Him. We then are able to use the wisdom of God which is found in the word that He has given us in order to find salvation and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 says, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”