1 Corinthians 2. Where is the wisdom of the wise? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Cor 1:20) There are two sources of wisdom – human (or worldly) wisdom and godly wisdom. The Apostle Paul contrasts these two types of wisdom in chapters 1-2.

Human wisdom is about strength found in this world, about power advantage, about prestige and education, and about looking good in front of others. If you have spent any time on social media, you know that these are the things used to gain attention – strength, beauty, persuasive speech, education and titles, and followers. (And maybe some drama thrown about in hopes of going viral.) So, if you are good looking, have letters behind your name or a title, talk like you’re smart, and lots of people follow you – then we might follow you too and be persuaded that you speak truth. Being wealthy also helps make you look credible. This is the world’s version of wisdom, today and in centuries past (how interesting to know they had a similar problem two thousand years ago!).

The Apostle Paul tells the church in Corinth – I was not like that! I did not come to you with lofty speech or wisdom… I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom… (1 Cor 2:1-4). Instead, Paul came to Corinth resolved to speak only of Jesus Christ and him crucified (2:2) and to speak in demonstration of the Holy Spirit and of power so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (2:5). Paul says – it is the gospel message and the work of the Holy Spirit that are powerful and bring wisdom, not me the messenger.

The wisdom of God is available to us because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit (2:10). We have received the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God (2:12). In fact, we have the mind of Christ (2:16).

The wisdom of this age and the rulers of this age are doomed to pass away (2:6). But the wisdom of God is eternal and available to all who have the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach (James 1:5).

How might you be vulnerable to the wisdom of the world? How do you gauge if someone is credible, and their message is true? Have you asked God for wisdom? Have you asked him to reveal things to you through his Holy Spirit? How might you guard your heart, so you hear more of the Holy Spirit and God’s wisdom, and less of the world’s “wisdom”?