Scripture
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” (1 Corinthians 3:18-20 NIV)
Observation
Another case of contrast – in this case between two kinds of wisdom. The wisdom of this world/ this age is contrasted with the wisdom of God.
The other contrast – and the more interesting one – is between self-deception and true, divine wisdom.
Application
Oh how smart I think that I am! Something I might be but not smarter than God. And wisdom and intelligence are likewise not at all the same thing. As someone has observed (can’t remember source), human beings have an infinite capacity for self-deception. Guilty as charged.
Today I want to tear away my lenses of self-deception – no, not lenses but blindfolds. To discern where God’s wisdom – foolishness – is at work and where not. Probably more not…
We worry about the Deceiver and forget how fruitful a field he finds, how ripe a harvest awaits due to our self-capacity for being deceit.
Prayer
God of Wisdom – give me eyes to see where I have deceived myself… to know where I have acted as if I am wise but am really a fool. Help me not to deceive myself but to see me as I am to you – most of all loved even in the midst of my foolishness. Amen.
