"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more the knowledge the more grief." (Ecclesiastes 1:18, NIV)
This is not a contradiction of the rest of Scripture which tells us basically to embrace wisdom and knowledge. It does, however, speak of wisdom and knowledge which is apart from a moment by moment relationship in Jesus Christ, "Who became to us wisdom from God."
It is with rare exception that people who attend universities and graduate schools come away from those institutions with greater faith than lesser. I watched this happen before my very eyes. "Wisdom" and "knowledge" driven by self, by the glorification of mankind, the reasoning of the human mind apart from, "the mind of Christ," will just keep bringing, "more grief," to humanity.
The Bible tells us, "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." I guarantee you: There is more of a chance of snow here in July than finding this, "....wisdom from heaven...," on American talk shows, at the "water cooler," in the vast majority of universities, or from most pulpits. "The wisdom that comes from heaven..," is the Jesus' Wisdom, viz., "wisdom from God", rooted in the very, "Words of God," the Scriptures.
Here is a "wisdom" and "knowledge" test: If our "wisdom" and "knowledge" bring, "more grief," then they are not that which, "....comes from Heaven...." On the other hand, with the wisdom and knowledge of the Godhead in us, there is no, "sorrow," and no, "grief."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I ask to walk in Your Wisdom and Knowledge! Amen.
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We head to Grand Rapids next Wednesday. Will be there until December 2.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
