There are only two kinds of wisdom, according to the Bible: Wisdom from above and wisdom from below. The wisdom from above is from God, and the wisdom from below is from the human race. James 3:17 describes the wisdom from above, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." Since God is holy and righteous, His wisdom does not lead us to sin but to do what is good and acceptable in His sight. God's wisdom is based on His Word, the Bible. The Bible does not contradict the truth of God, but it shows us God's truth. As a result, God's wisdom is always constant. It never changes. It is the same as yesterday, today, and the future. Culture does not change the wisdom of God, but the wisdom of God changes culture and the hearts of people.
The wisdom from below is based on people's limited understanding of their surroundings and experiences. The wisdom of the people can also be based on feelings, wants, and desires. As a result, the wisdom of the human race can change according to people's preferences. There is no absolute truth. And this is why there are always tensions between the wisdom from above and the wisdom from below. As believers, we live according to the wisdom from above. The wisdom from above guides us in the right direction when we are lost. The wisdom from above leads us to the truth of who we are when we are confused about ourselves. The wisdom of God gives us security when we are fearful, confidence when we are unsure, and courage when we are discouraged.
So let us pursue the wisdom from above. Let us ask our God for wisdom. James 1:5 says, If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." The wisdom from above is always available for those who humble themselves before the Lord and ask Him for wisdom.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully and meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you) Why is there a tension between the wisdom from above and the wisdom from below? Which wisdom do I pursue: The wisdom from above or the wisdom from below? How do I receive the wisdom from above?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, you are the source of wisdom. You are the beginning and the end of time. Your wisdom covers all your creation, and there is nothing secret that you do not know. Your understanding is infinite, and you know everything about me. Please give me wisdom on how I should live my life. Please give me the wisdom to handle all my concerns today. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.