Two Types of Wisdom

The Bible tells us that there are two different types of wisdom, worldly wisdom and spiritual wisdom.  I thought it might be interesting to take a look at the two. 

Paul warns against worldly wisdom in 1 Corinthians 3:18 - 17.

Let no one deceive himself.  If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.  For hte wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."  Therefore let no one boast in men.  For all things are yours; whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come -- all are yours.  And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

Worldly Wisdom...

• Sees the message of the Cross as foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18)
• Does not know God (1 Cor. 1:21)
• Boasts in men (1 Cor. 3:21)
• Takes pride in human knowledge (1 Cor. 8:2)
• Is puffed up (1 Cor. 4:6)
• Criticizes leadership (1 Cor. 4:8)
• Relies on the power of words (1 Cor. 4:20)
• Takes pride in personal accomplishmens (1 Cor. 4:27)
• Scoffs at differences (1 Cor. 12:21)
• Insists on personal rights (1 Cor. 8:9)
• Is insensitive to others (1 Cor. 8:11)
• Arrogantly wounds others (1 Cor. 8:12)
• Leads to envy, strife, and division (1 Cor. 1:10, 3:3)
• Is full of malice (1 Cor. 14:20)
• Is subject to "fall" (1 Cor. 10:12)
• Will be caught in its own craftiness (1 Cor. 3:19)
• Has immature understanding (1 Cor. 3:1, 14:20)
• Will not last (1 Cor. 3:15)

In 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Paul writes about Spiritual Wisdom. 

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.  For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.  For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?  Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.  These things we also speak, not in words which man's widom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.  For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 

Simplifying it, Spirtual Wisdom...

• Realizes the message of the Cross is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18)
• Demonstrates the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5)
• Glories in the Lord (1 Cor. 1:31)
• Knows the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16)
• Seeks meekness and humility (1 Cor. 2:3)
• Submits to spiritual leadership (1 Cor. 14:37, 16:16)
• Relies on the power of God (1 Cor. 4:20)
• Recognizes God as source of everything (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
• Respects diversity (1 Cor. 12:11)
• Becomes servant of all (1 Cor. 9:19)
• Edifies others (1 Cor. 8:1)
• Seeks another's well-being (1 Cor. 10:24)
• Pursues unity (1 Cor. 12:13)
• Walks in the way of love (1 Cor. 13:11)
• Stands up under temptation (1 Cor. 10:13)
• Maintains self-control and discipline (1 Cor. 6:12, 9:27)
• Develops maturity (1 Cor. 2:6)
• Will last (1 Cor. 3:10-14)

I bolded the last description of each type of wisdom because I think that is one of the most important things for us to remember.  Only the teachings of Christ will last.  Nothing else.  Should we decide to follow something else, then we must realize that we too will not last.  Only following the teachings of Christ will we have the chance for eternal salvation. 

...Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. -- 1 Corinthians 2:5

Blessings in Christ,