Today’s choices carry great consequences. We can hardly express the matter too strongly. Basically, we have two choices: we can follow after the wisdom of the world or we can follow after the wisdom of God. In the end, the difference will be as light to darkness – as life to death.

James describes the wisdom of the world as earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Such wisdom leads to bitterness, jealousy, disorder, and selfish ambition (Jas. 3:15-16). We have more than enough of this wisdom in our world today. Such wisdom cannot provide a personal relationship with God because it does not include “knowing God” as the key component to sustain us through life’s long journey.

What we really need is the wisdom of God – a wisdom full of mercy, good fruit, peace, and righteousness (Jas. 3:17-18). This wisdom is from above and given in response to faith and petition. James says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord…” (James 1:5–7).

As His creation, we have a basic, fundamental need for wisdom, the kind of wisdom that only God can provide. While there are other, artificial substitutes, these can never satisfy the deepest cravings of the human spirit. The Bible says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). We need a higher source of guidance, one that is beyond the short-sighted periphery of man. Without such guidance, we are left without hope, having nothing upon which to build assurance. The prophet Jeremiah put the matter plainly as he prayed, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23).

Are we willing to allow God to guide us through the Spirit-inspired word? Or, are we so captivated by our own desires as to choose only the voice of human wisdom? God created us as free moral agents. There are choices to be made. Avoidance is not an option. We must choose whom we will serve (Josh. 1:15). The choice we make today impacts our lives both now and forevermore. Choose wisely. Choose God.

–Glen Elliott–