Activation #10

Note: as we now have icons for each genre, we will begin publishing posts with the series title rather than the genre title.  Thus, the next Activation will be entitled Wisdom #11.

Avoiding the wrong wisdom

In Proverbs, wisdom is described as a woman.  Regardless of whether it comes from God or from another source, wisdom is given feminine traits.  We see in Proverbs 5 that the writer is describing what it means to follow worldly wisdom.  Today we'll see what happens when we pursue worldly wisdom and beliefs and how we can make sure we aren't consumed by it:

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It's Appealing...At First

The writer describes the wisdom of the world as being sweet and savory (v. 3).  This shows us that the call and the ways of the world are appealing.  Their seems to be a lot of delight and satisfaction going on outside of the ways of God.  The philosophies and beliefs of the world seem to satisfy our minds and flesh far quicker than anything God and His Word provides. Worldly wisdom also seems to be more fun to pursue than Godly wisdom.  

However, we are told it turns bitter as we proceed and begins to cut us to pieces as we go deeper (v. 4). Moreover, the further we pursue it the more we die spiritually and remove ourselves from God and His Kingdom (v. 5). This can be seen with people who never truly find fulfillment in their worldly pursuits.  The pursuit of worldly knowledge and understanding can often times leave people frustrated with hollow answers and empty paths.  It cuts us up as we let it speak into our lives and remove us further and further from God and his protection.

Pictured: Your life being penetrated by worldly wisdom.

No Footholds

Another problem with worldly wisdom and pursuits presents itself with the foundation. For those who believe they can truly master or understand the ways of the world, it is described as always shifting its foundation (v. 6). The beliefs and ideas of worldly wisdom seem to shift constantly as the world "advances" in its understanding.   This allows it to hide its fallacies amid "facts" and philosophies that have no known basis or origin or truth.  It twists people's mind so much that they are confused into believing that which, if they had seen at face value, they would have rejected immediately.  

Not all of history, science or philosophical ideas are wrong.  However, making these or other institutions your base of belief leaves you with far less to stand on than the truth and power of the word of God.

Pictured: a life that now is directed primarily by worldly wisdom. Only a few areas of Godliness still exist, but they are kept down by the constant moving doctrine of the world.

Avoid It or Lose Everything

This slight of hand the enemy uses to twist the mind serves a greater purpose than just to confuse people.  It helps the Devil to rob people of all that God has blessed them with (v. 8-11).  We've discussed honour and the life giving properties of God's Wisdom before.  We've talked about how God's ways lead to prosperity and that it takes work to achieve our goals in the Kingdom.  By turning to the world for wisdom, we open ourselves up to be robbed of all those blessings.  By leaning on the world's ways rather than God's ways, we risk losing every foothold we have found in Jesus Christ.  In the end, we'll be left to mourn our mistakes and wonder how we let ourselves get this far. However, there is one way to prevent this from happening; and if you've fallen into this trap of pursuing the ways of the world, it's an opportunity to get out. 

Pictured: Now that the doctrine has drained the individual, it leaves the person hollow, unfulfilled and wanting. The individual becomes hopeless and laments their decisions.

Activation

Set yourself at a distance from what the world is saying, especially when it doesn't aline with God
Repel the doubts and false doctrine of the world with faith, prayer and your testimony
Avoid entering into worldly mindsets by establishing yourself in the Word of God

Watch the video below to get a further perspective on this topic: