There are only two kinds of wisdom in the world: man’s wisdom and God’s wisdom. Unfortunately the wisdom of man is today’s prevailing guide for most philosophy and practice. The wisdom of man is usually, though not always opposed to the wisdom of God. For instance, consider the human fabrication known as evolution with its explanation for the origin of man. This theory is built upon man-made science which denies the existence of God. The REAL reason men deny the existence of God is not based on intellect or evidence or lack of evidence, but rebellion. If there is a God, then all men must one day face Him and be accountable. Solution to the God problem: get rid of God by denying His existence and offer an alternative for the origin of man and the existence of the universe.
After getting rid of the existence of God, the obvious result is moral relativism, followed by lawlessness. If God, the divine lawmaker who established the standard for right and wrong, does not exist, then neither do any absolutes exist. Nothing is ever right or wrong. Lying is no longer wrong, just irritating and troublesome. Taking that which belongs to another is not stealing, but sharing the wealth. We’ve come a long way, baby.
Man’s wisdom produces illogical solutions to man’s problems, which are ultimately caused by man’s sin of rebellion against God the higher power. Consider laws that require children to be buckled in a car seat or buckled into a rear seat to avoid injury or death by an inflated air bag or crash. The ONE purpose for these laws is for PROTECTION of the life of children. Yet abortion allows children to be mercilessly slaughtered before they ever leave the womb to reach the safety of the car seat. That’s real wisdom.
Years ago, the war on drugs used the slogan “Just say no” promoting drug abstinence. Now to be honest, yet in no way condoning drug use, some drugs can be taken only once or twice with no more adverse effects on the body than overeating. But notice man’s wisdom when it comes to sexual abstinence. Instead of zero tolerance as with the drugs (just say no) the attitude was “just use a condom” yet just ONE sex act with the wrong person could lead to death. Man’s wisdom is illogical and destructive. Man, in his insatiable desire to have sex, just could not cross the line and insist on abstinence from sex, as with drugs. Liberals always love to promote sex. It is the only joy they have in life since they have no sense of humor and do not have common sense to enjoy the simple things of life.
Consider man’s wisdom concerning salvation. In I Corinthians 1, Paul wrote, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.” God’s wisdom says men can receive eternal life from God based upon the death of God the Son on the cross. The central message of the preaching of the cross is SUBSTITUTION. The innocent died for the guilty, paying the debt for the guilty . . . completely . . . 100%. Man’s wisdom accepts the cross, but then adds good works, morality, church membership, confession, etc. Men are not saved by what they have done, are currently doing, or promise to do in the future. Salvation is by grace through faith to quote Rabbi Saul again. Men are saved by believing that when Jesus died on the cross, His death COMPLETELY satisfied Holy God’s wrath against the sinner, as was evidenced by God the Father raising Jesus from the dead. This belief is active, not passive and results in a changed life, II Corinthians 5:17. That’s true wisdom and it comes from God, not man.
Joseph Harris has been a college professor and pastor since 1987 and his writings have appeared on WND, Sword of the Lord, Intellectual Conservative, Conservative Daily News, Canada Free Press, Land of the Free, and The Post Chronicle. joey@headricks.com
