"THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE"

1 Corinthians 3:18-20                      (ESV)

"18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you THINKS that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with GOD. For it is written, "HE catches the wise in their craftiness,"

20 and again, "The LORD knows "THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE", that they are futile."

Having an abundance of WISDOM has never been something anyone has accused me of!  Not being from a family of great wealth or notoriety, I have never thought myself to be of much consequence on earthly matters.  While serving on a local School Board for almost nine years, I was exposed to many individuals from several regions who were educated, by worldly standards, to a very high degree.  But the so-called WISDOM of these individuals usually left others scratching their heads in disbelief!  

True WISDOM only can come from GOD ALMIGHTY!  In Romans 9:14-20, the Apostle Paul reminisces about Moses and King Pharaoh.  Now Moses had killed a man in his younger years and fled to another country.  Certainly no one would have considered him worthy of being used by GOD to lead HIS children from captivity given his socioeconomic status!  King Pharaoh, on the other hand, was ruler of the greatest dynasty known to mankind.  Moses followed GOD's direction and led the Israelites across the Red Sea.  King Pharaoh followed after them in his wisdom and was drowned in the same Red Sea!  

James 1:5 says "If any of you LACKS WISDOM, let him ask GOD, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."  Proverbs 2:6-7 says "For the LORD gives wisdom; from HIS mouth come knowledge and understanding; HE stores up sound wisdom for the upright; HE is a shield to those who walk in integrity". The LORD gives WISDOM to those who WALK IN INTEGRITY!  You can't expect to GOD to bless you with WISDOM to be used for selfish purposes.  GOD is about bring honor and glory to HIS name, not ours!

The LORD knows "THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE"!   HE knew the thoughts of King Pharaoh as he led the Egyptians into the Red Sea.  Mankind can develop their plans to educate and increase knowledge all they want.  But only GOD can grant true WISDOM and HE reserves that WISDOM for those whose heart seeks after HIM and HIS glory!  Thinking you are wise is not something we should strive for, rather to become a fool for HIS glory!  Remember, GOD knows "THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE" and HE can grant WISDOM or withhold that WISDOM!