Earthly Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 1:17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
We all have a desire to be wise. We like to understand how things work, to be able to answer questions, to make decisions, and to share what we know. We seek and search out wisdom and knowledge of the things of this world, just as Solomon did. However, Solomon discovered that wisdom ‘under the sun’, apart from God, left him unfulfilled and discontented.
In 1 Kings 3, we learn that Solomon asked God for wisdom to rule His people. Instead of requesting material riches, comfort, or pleasure, Solomon desired to advance God’s kingdom through wise leadership. Because God was so pleased with Solomon’s request, He granted it and gave him much more. Solomon began his royal reign as the wisest man on Earth with great wealth and honor. At some point in his life, Solomon grew to love God’s blessings more than God Himself. His life began to revolve around his wealth, pleasure, and adoration. He elevated his earthly wisdom above godly wisdom. Solomon forgot that it is the wisdom of God that answers our every need and gives us true perspective on life’s deepest questions.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Earthly wisdom appeals to the senses and the emotions. In contrast, the wisdom that is from God reflects Him. While earthly wisdom says always follow your heart, godly wisdom tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is deceitful above all things. While earthly wisdom says seeing is believing, godly wisdom tells us in John 20:29 that blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. While earthly wisdom says love your family and friends, godly wisdom tells us in Matthew 5:43-47 to also love your enemies and bless them. While earthly wisdom says there are many ways to God, godly wisdom tells us in Acts 4:12 there is only one way to God, Jesus Christ.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
God desires to give His divine wisdom to His children. All other types of learning are valuable but limited unless built upon the knowledge of the Lord Himself. To gain God’s wisdom, we must pray for it, while studying and living out God’s Word. So many distractions in this world threaten to pull us away from God. We are constantly bombarded by viewpoints, images, and ideals that contradict those in the Bible. It is easy to find our hearts straying from God toward ideas and belief systems that sound impressive and appealing. Believers must remain diligent and steadfast in seeking God and keeping His wisdom forefront in our minds. We may have to stand against the wisdom of the world, the advice of our well-meaning family and friends, and battle our own self-seeking desires in order to be solely led by God.
God’s wisdom gives us focus and direction when we have to choose between what looks good, what feels good, and what is good.
Let’s talk: Does the wisdom that you share and live by reflect more of God or more of this world? In what areas of your life are you prone to wander and stray from God’s wisdom? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply God’s wisdom in your life?
Terria serves on the LGG encourager and social media teams. She is a single mother of two teenage girls. Her passionate goal is to start a revolution to empower a generation of single women to grab onto God’s truth and cling to it. She loves to talk and loves to listen. She can often be tracked down in noisy hospital hallways listening to people’s stories, and sharing the lessons and love that God has poured out in her life. Despite the chaotic and messy circumstances of Terria’s life, God shows himself strong and loving. The evidence is clear – He loves hard!
Did you miss Monday’s post? View it here.
I have a tendency to stray in my own thoughts when I’m stressed. As I’m getting older, I am seeing that as error and going straight to His throne for help. Please pray for my son Josh. He has chosen a destructive path. It breaks my heart.
I tend to stray when I get stressed. Anxiety takes over and I’m at a loss on what to do. Then my whole attitude changes and the godly demeanor I should have walks out the door and I become this frazzled mess. Especially in my parenting. I am a mom of four and boy am I tired. I also work full time, manage a house, I’m a wife and sometimes I just get frazzled. I could really use prayer! Thanks ladies ❤️
I am requesting pray for me: seeking Godly Wisdom.wristly with gambling knowing this is not good. Walk away from it or may I say been delivered from it now having desire to start back but I don’t want to be disconnected from God
Dear Heavenly Father, I life Sheri up to you this morning. I know how she feels as the battle field is in our minds as we wrestle against principalities and powers and not agains flesh and blood just as your word says. Let Sheri feel your strong everlasting arms holding her as you remind her that you love her son Josh more than even she can love him. We place Josh in your care that you may draw Him to yourself. Place him around others who will influence him for the good and point him to you. I ask your blessing for this family and in the name of your precious Son Jesus, our Redeemer. Amen Thank you Lord.
As a parent, especially while raising a teenager, I can easily begin parenting out of offense and hurt. And, I can lose sight of God’s heart for my children while I am looking through the lens of offense and hurt. I feel this is one area the Lord is cautioning me again, as I recognize there are places in my daily routine of life, I may be leaving God out of the decision making. As my children are facing their obstacles, how can I truly let God lead me to help walk them through. I do offer biblical wisdom, but it is in the everyday moments that I need to be aware of my tone and how I am teaching these things. Am I like Solomon, “striving after wind” because I am mixing my hurts and offenses with God’s wisdom? Oil and water don’t mix and neither does the tone of offense with God. So, there’s a deeper healing I sense He wants to continue in my heart that is also going to be part of my children’s healing and edifying.
First of all, Terria, thank you for praying for me & my family in Monday’s comments. God is so good to give us love & hope, just when He knows we really need it. At my wits end yesterday, He gave opportunity to spend time with sweet grandbabies, & what a balm for the soul they were. In today’s study, the thing that stood out most to me is “Be careful not to love God’s blessings more than God himself.” Wow…that hits home, as I know I have let my love & concern over my grandchildren rule me more than my love of God. I know I have not acted how God wants me to, as I try to “control” how my grandkids lives are protected & lived. I know God watches over them & protects them…He has shown that numerous times.
Help me Lord, to let go & give it to You. Show me Lord, what You want me to do & how You want me to react to things. Guide my children to seek You & make wise choices concerning their lives, and help them to understand how much they need You Father. And help me to show You & Your love, and put aside my own way of thinking & doing things. Amen.
This is my 3rd LGG study. So very thankful for this study & for godly women to share life with!
Connie, I wanted to say thank you, your words helped me. I do not always know the right things to say to God. : )
Beautiful prayer. I said it for my family and I as well.
Connie,
You are sooo welcome! I consider a privilege to be able to pray with you and for you and your family. I’m so glad that the Lord knows our frame and our tendency to wander, yet He chooses to pour out His grace, mercy, and compassion upon us.
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
I just know I need to be praying more! Life gets so busy and chaotic and I struggle to keep on top of things. I know my personal prayer time needs to expand but also praying with my husband. I just feel compelled to be growing more and spending more time in the word and prayer so that we’re truly seeking God like we should. I would like to think our lives reflect God’s wisdom but I know the more we know Him and spend time with Him, the stronger and purer that reflection will be. It’s a matter of better managing time and changing old habits into new ones. Pray that we will both feel compelled to change. I often feel I’m the driving force behind changes and I know changes are more easily made if we’re both desiring and feeling compelled to change.
Lord thank you for Lauren! Thank you for drawing on her heart, calling her deeper. Lord we know you desire to reveal things in your word to her. Father help her to manage her time and balance out her responsibilities so that she can spend time in your word allowing you to engraft it upon her heart. Break off old habits and patterns and establish a new thing Lord. Lead her and her husband in kingdom things so that they will grow closer to you. In Jesus name. amen ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
Jessa, I feel compelled to share a book called “Unoffendable, How Just One Change Can Make All Of Lige Better”. It is a fairly quick read and it is a real blessing for anyone who has ever been hurt by anyone. Excellent book to have a Godly mindset to conflict and people who hurt us.
Stacey, Thank you so much for the suggestion and for being so sweet! ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
Thank you for this post, it really stirred something in my spirit. I am struggling right now with making decisions about my work future. Please pray that I will push my deceitful heart and my worldly logic out of the way and only pay attention to wisdom from God on how to move forward. I have been praying James 1:5 believing that God will give me the wisdom I need, I just don’t want to miss it.
Oh Lord minister to our sister CJ. Lead her in her heart and in her mind. Help her to choose Godly wisdom and instead of the same world wisdom of the past. Lord you know her future because you have saw her life from begining to the end. Reveal to her the steps she is to take to get where you want her to be. In Jesus name. ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
This is so timely. I’m about 6 months into following a calling and passion to empower women to live fit and free, to stop listening to gimmicks and the negative voices and accept that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. But doing this in the online space can have many distractions along with many opportunities, so I’m just trying to keep focused on the path and plan that He has for me to live out this calling and reach others for His glory.
Lord You have a plan and a purpose for Marsha, help her stay the course. We break off any distractions in Jesus name. I thank you that you said when you begin a good work you always complete it. Lead her in her interactions and help her stay focused. Give her the words to speak to set other women free, to empower the, to believe what they cannot see in themselves. Increase the annointing on her and let it break every yoke it comes in contact with as she steps out in obedience. In Jesus name. ~ Sheila LGG Ecourager
I solicit your prayers as I walk in faith doing what thus says the Lord! My life has been a series of rollercoaster highs and very deep lows …BUT GOD!
I am struggling with living out my career and working in ministry, which is my passion! I am a survivor and God has proven over and over again that I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR! I praise Him and want to do only His Will.
My desire is to go back to school and study further so I can be an asset to other single woman such as myself.
I’m no young chicken lol (52) but I know I have more LIVING and GIVING to do so that our Father in Heaven gets all the glory! Please pray for me as I pray for you! In the Spirit of Agape Love!
We lift our sister Tonya to you and I thank you that you are working all things to her good. You are taking every roller coaster ride and bring in her to a new level. Thank you Lord that she is your obedient servant. And she wants to live for you, increase in her. Lord give her her hearts desire and use it to glorify your kingdom. In Jesus name. ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
OH, how I love these questions it made me want to think, reflect and assess my life, does the wisdom that I share and live by more of God or more of this world? For I too, like Solomon have strayed from time to time to seek and after from the things of this world. But it was God’s word and spending time with Him that’s make me see my actions and when I do noticed that my heart is leading me to the things of this world, I would make it a point to give thanks to Him in everything for he said, “Give thanks in everything for this is Christ will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, for when I do this it makes me remember that everything I have belongs to him and He gets the credit and not I.
Marilyn your heart is always full and you share such lovely words so encouraging and true with us all. Thank you! ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
Connie:
I do understand what you are saying. I to have put my grandchildren and children before God. I have tried to control and protect them instead of trusting the Lord. He has been reminding me to not lean on my own understanding but in all my ways acknowledge Him. I to request prayers for our son Chris who is like Solomon and chasing after the wind in many worldly desires and destructive habits.
Thanks for your insights Terra they were very helpful with today’s scripture.
Joann I understand also. My heart is breaking for my daughter who is only 19, got married this year without inviting or even telling me and now I found out tonight she is pregnant. I was not a perfect parent but have lived my life and worked very hard to give them a good life,spending time with them every second I was not working, but she has always had rebellion towards the Lord and our house was divided,her dad does not serve the Lord and after 20yrs of abuse,Im divorced and have our 15yr old son living with me. But my heart is aching for my firstborn, my babygirl for her salvation and healing and for restoration in our relationship. I feel like a tremendous failure as a parent. You dream of your little girls wedding and to be treated like Im nothing when Ive walked in CONTINUOUS love and forgiveness. I am beside myself with the hurt,pain,brokeness,shame of failing as a parent. But I did the best I could:'( She married an athiest,his name is Micheal and I want to see him saved too.
At times I reflect Gods ways but at other times such as work or if I get flustered I tend to reflect more or the worlds ways. I find I am more prone to wander at work. My job at times can be very high pressured and stressful. I get busy and caught up in the moment that I forget God’s Wisdom.
Please pray for a constant reminder of Gods wisdom in my life and decernment when it is needed.
Godly wisdom says “God will supply your needs & look after His people. The things of this world don’t matter.” Yet my thoughts during this economic crisis revolve around missing financial freedom, desiring relief from the stress, not knowing where the next paycheque will come from & how can I take control of this situation? There is a time for action & there is a time to trust & rest in knowing God is in control, has the perfect plan, & good IS coming from all of this! I need to find peace in knowing God will provide the opportunities, instruct on the action, & rest in knowing relationships are the most important thing!! Relationships with God & others. There are valuable lessons to learn in times such as these! Oh that we open our eyes to see rather than live in fear of the unknown!
Kyla, it is so hard to trust God in uncertain times, isn’t it. It helps me to focus on what is working for me in life at the time and to see how He has provided for me in those areas and then I have to trust that He will do that in all areas of my life. Stay in His word with LGG will help you stay strong in your faith and remember His great promises.
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Hi All!
I wanted to take the time to respond to all of you who have commented so far today. We’re so glad you’re here!
Sherri, I too am a worrier. What has helped me is knowing that God was in my past, He is in my present, and He is already in my future. He knows what the future holds and He will use it for good. I’m so very sorry for the struggles with your son Josh. I pray that he will find a way out of the direction he’s currently in. Stay strong.
Cynthia, thank you so much for that beautiful prayer. What a blessing you are to Sherri today. I love this community!
Jessa, I’m sure you are a wonderful parent to your children, but sometimes God does show us areas of improvement, doesn’t He? The fact that you want to allow Him to lead you and make those small decisions and lead your children, that is all so good! I hope this study with teach you and grow you in the ways you need.
Connie, how blessed your grandchildren are to have a woman of such faith and love for God. We all can work on loving God more daily. He knows our hearts and our desires to pursue Him. And yes, He will always protect those sweet babies. 🙂 How nice to have them in your life to brighten the hard times. God is so good to us!
Lauren, you are in the right place to be learning, that’s for sure! The encouragement and accountability I get from these studies is just what I need. Did you get to participate in our last study “Growing Through Prayer?” If not, you may want to look at it after this study is over or if you have free time. It was so helpful for working my prayer muscles.
CJ, I pray that God would give you the wisdom you’re looking for. If you pray to him and try and follow His ways, I know He will guide you. He has a wonderful plan for you no matter what your decision is. Take comfort in that!
Marsha, that is a wonderful and much needed calling. I pray that this study will encourage and strengthen you so you can run the race with endurance that He has set before you.
Tonya, God has amazing plans for you to still! I know you will do wonderful things because of your heart and love for Him.
Marilyn, I too feel that when I’m more in tune with God I see the ways in which I stray so much more! And while that could be discouraging, I appreciate Him showing me how I can be better for Him. Thank you for sharing!
Connie, I pray that Chris would feel God’s tug on his heart and learn to trust and follow him. It is so easy to get caught up in this life that seems so important to us. And God bless you and your grandchildren. Grandparents are so very special!
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
These passages from King Solomon are really speaking to me as well. My daughter is going through many struggles right now and I am trying to give her my version of wisdom. It does not seem to be working as well as I would like. These verses remind me that I need to seek God’s wisdom in this situation and respond accordingly. I am praying that he will give me the right words to say to her or maybe just to step back and let her figure this out on her own even though she is turning to me for help. It is so hard to watch a child struggle and not want to “fix” everything. I am reminded that God has the power and wisdom to know what is appropriate for her at this stage of her life. Thank you for this post
Robbi, have you thought about doing this bible study with her? Maybe God will speak to her through the word and it would be a great activity for the both of you too! I personally can’t wait until I have children old enough to use the kid’s study guides for LGG. They are super! And if she’s more adult in age, she could just do what you’re doing. 🙂 I hope God helps her and you find the answers she needs.
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Hi, I’m Angela,I have started this study on my own and I find it difficult to understand until I read from you all then everything fall into place. I find myself all too often forgeting that my God should be first in everything I do say and think about. At work there is so much earthly distraction that I neglect to check with God first. I pray that he gives the wisdom to always seek him first in my everyday decision. That includes decision at home with my kids and husband.
I thank the Lord my Father in heaven for directing me LGG site. I am also studying Growing through Prayer and found it to be very uplifting. I desire to know more about God and how to apply what he teaches me to my life.
God bless us all.
Angela, I’m so glad you found LGG! I found it at a time when I was searching for a community and have been here for 2 years now. Time flies! I, too, find it very hard to bring God into my work life. I get so caught up in work mode that I forget about him. How awful is that? But it’s something I’m working on and my daily reminders with LGG sure do help.
I also love that you’re doing the Growing Through Prayer study as well. Those two studies are a great contrast. When this one gets a bit heavy you have the lightness and hope of prayer to balance it out. Welcome!
Lindsay, LGG Encourager
Thank you, Lindsay, I have decided to be steadfast in prayers today. ?
Dear LGG team,
I am so happy I decided to jump into this journey with you guys. This is the first time that I have such an interactive bible study. Where it asks me questions which I’ve never been asked before. My prayer is to have God open my mind and heart to really understand what he’s trying to reveal. Thank you guys!
Jen, welcome to the Love God Greatly community! We are blessed to have you join us. We have team praying for all of you as you jump into the word. We believe He will take His word and open it up to you in ways you have never experienced. So know we have prayed for you. Enjoy this study! ~Sheila, Encourager
Hi, I am so excited for this bible study, I am lost in my earthy life and I think God brought me here to learn my spiritual life. I have started on my own here but, I could use a group. I had a page where I was looking for a FB or email group and now I can not find it…. UGH feeling a little lost and excited to learn. Thank you for bringing this to us. I am not even sure where or how ( I know how LOL) I even found you. Thanks be to God
Bonnie, bless your heart! You are in a good place and we would love for you to join us. There are still some groups remaining on the blog that are accepting members. Follow this link to the “Join Us” blog and then go to the comments. There you will find the links to the groups. Please click on a link to join. I will check back to see if this helped. ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
Here is the link http://lovegodgreatly.com/join-a-group-for-our-ecclesiastes-study/
I am a college student, and going back to school at the age of 55 is not easy. I also have a 26 year son it college with autism. I find it hard to study GODs word with all this going on, but I am trying so hard to be obedient, or maybe I should not be trying , I should just do it. For the last two weeks my conscious has be eating me up, and I said to myself that I was take GOD off the back burner and place him first in my life. I am always playing catch up with my reading with LGG, but I am asking for pray and I am praying that I stay in touch with GODs ways and what he wants for me at all times, and not to be control by worldly ways, even though education is important and so is my son, but I must remember that without Christ all things are impossible. SO please keep me in pray! Thank you so much for LGG!
Abba Father, I pray for Kimbly Russell who’s struggling with so many things going on in her life right now. I pray that you would speak to her heart and show her your will. Help her to organize her time diligently so that she would set herself apart to be in your presence. Please take away any thing that is distracting her from having a quiet time with you. I pray the same for myself as I am facing a similar situation. Thank you Jesus that we can pray for each other.
In your precious name I pray. Amen!
Thank you ladies for your posts. Can relate to many of your struggles. A friend often reminds me that she prays: God’s Will, God’s Way, God’s Timing….and really mean it! I’m trying to rest in God’s timing but have to refresh myself often of His promises cause He does NOT fail:)
I struggle each day to find the quiet time in my busy life to read/study God’s word and to pray to Him. Without His word in my heart each day I stray further and further from the path He wants me to be on.
Its so difficult for me to believe that the promise God leaves in the bible actually are meant for me. Ive had so much loss and failure that I can’t see beyond the dark
I’m going back and doing this study and wow did this speak to me today! We are currently waiting to adopt an infant and the waiting has been so hard! Learning to trust in God and wait for his timing. I find myself seeking God and asking him for wisdom daily. sometimes I wonder if we are doing the right thing since we have been waiting for over 2 years. I need to learn to be content in the waiting and draw closer to him.
I would have to agree with the majority that I tend to stray when I get stressed and I would also have to say worrying over finances. Please pray for my marriage and children.
Today’s reading really was an eye opener! I pray for wisedom now in the name of Jesus’s follow the Holy Spirit and not my heart, because the heart is decietful above all things.
Human education was setup to destroy the principles of the Kingdom of God. For instance, scientifically humans live on oxygen and human beings evolved from apes.
To read the whole book click the link below:
https://wp.me/pcqCus-I
Thank you for putting this out there. I agree with your opinion and I hope more people would come to agree with this as well.