Worldly or Godly Wisdom?

or to be more scriptural, Carnal Wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom.

We as Christians need to recognize that there is a difference. That there is common wisdom, or common sense or as some may say natural law, understandings about our world that are common knowledge, applicable to everyone and can be easily understood by everyone. Unfortunately, there are people who don't even desire the basics in seeing wisdom...like a simple agricultural law of 'what you sow, you reap' back in abundance. These types of wisdom, if adhered to, would help people to live a bountiful healthy life. Many people though don't want to believe that the consequences they deal with have any thing to do with choices they have made, instead they want to blame someone else and often God himself - I'm talking about Christians!

As someone who teaches, and mentors others, I see this often.

Scripture tells us in James, that if we desire wisdom, and ask for it, God is willing to give it generously. But we need to be willing to adhere to it and be corrected by it, otherwise asking for it and receiving it is of no benefit to us.

Now that's just simple, common wisdom and sense, or worldly wisdom. What about Spiritual Wisdom. Is it different? Yes! It is something that God grants to those with ears to hear what the spirit is saying to them... and it is greater than the worldly wisdom because it has eternal ramifications.

Jesus used some comparisons and examples of Worldly wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom.
Matthew chapter 5:21-43 has several examples and comparisons between the two.

1 Corinthians 2 speaks alot about the difference of Worldly Wisdom vs. Spiritual Wisdom. Verses 10-14 say, "God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Wehave not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."

King David didn't seek the wisdom of God in one situation in particular...instead he operated in the worldly wisdom that worked for others...David desired to bring the most precious and holy Ark of the Covenant into the City of God. Previous to bringing it into the city the ark had been captured by an enemy army and held within their territories several months...After being cursed by God for keeping it the Philistines decided to send it back to the Jews...They had no idea how to handle it according to the designs and heart of God, so the simply made a brand new cart and got some beasts of burden to pull it and sent it away. Miraculously, the animals brought it back, unguided to the Israelites.

David sought out his counselors, his leaders, those incharge of 100's and 1000's to see what they would say to bringing the 'Presence of God, the Ark' to the city. They all thought it was a great idea, they presented it to the people and everyone was in agreement that to further the Kingdom of God they decided to use the WISDOM of the Philistines. They set it on a new cart and had it pulled by animals.

Within a few short steps. Uzzah DIED!

David was angry, distressed and confused with God and the situation. Why didn't this have the Blessing of God? Why did something so tragic take place? Why didn't God Bless this? Why didn't the same wisdom used by the Philistines/world work for the people of God?

Because God has mercy on those ignorant of His ways, But those of His own House he holds to a higher standard, to Spiritual truths! David had sought the counsel of men, the wisdom of the world and the approval of the masses, Not the counsel or approval of God.

Finally after much time had passed, David figured it out...He sought the scriptures, the Word of the Lord, and learned that for GOD's people there was a specific manner in approaching and handling the things and blessings of God...Once he followed through on handling the Things of God with Spiritual understanding and Wisdom, God Blessed!

This was not the first or the last time a situation is given in the scriptures comparing worldly/carnal wisdom with Godly/Spiritual wisdom... It is constantly repeated... and we today should learn from it...

Compare 1 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13 & 15
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