Greetings! . . . More on Acts 17 - Paul's Visit to Athens

Have you ever heard the word versus used as a verb? You probably have, if your kids played sports. . . They say something like, "Tomorrow, we're versing the Dodgers." 'Not even a word, but you sure understand what they are saying, don't you? Well, today, we are going to observe Wisdom versing wisdom--Godly wisdom versing man's wisdom.

Yesterday, we saw Paul in Athens 'versing' all of the gods of earthly wisdom, steeped in centuries of philosophical thinking about life and spiritual matters, but often contrary to biblical thinking. We observed Paul, who had staked his life on leading other people to follow Jesus Christ, face off against the sophisticated Areopagus, indifferent to the truth of Jesus Christ.

>Here he was in the home of Socrates, 469-399 b.c., who we find out most through the 'Dialogues of Plato' because Socrates was Plato's teacher.

It was Socrates who said, 'the unexamined life is not worth living'. Socrates taught by asking questions, so that his listeners would be in a constant

state of self-discovery; ultimately, he was condemned to death for not believing in the gods of the city and for introducing new gods.

>Plato, 427 b.c.-347 b.c., sought to know knowledge in all its phases--physical, mental, moral--believing it must come from a complete

understanding of the nature of the world. (a daunting task, wouldn't you say?)

>Aristotle, 384-322 b.c., known for his all-encompassing system of the sciences. (interesting to note- Aristotle was born in the 400 years

of silence between the Old and New Testaments; was the Lord silent because He just let the brilliant philosophers express their 'wisdom'?)

>We briefly looked at a the prevailing philosophies of Paul's day- Epicureanism (all about pleasure) and Stoicism (quite apathetic) yesterday. . .

>It has been 150 years now since Darwin brought us evolutionary thought. . .

>And today, we live at a time where the bedrock of absolute truth has been demolished. 'Enlightened' thinkers have come to believe that

there is no such thing as absolute truth, only perceptions and opinions, which of course, lead to moral relativism--an ever slippery slope of

right and wrong, having more to do with what feels good at the time. . .'wonder why teenagers seem to have no conscience?

'Just a peak at some of man's finest thinking over the centuries. . .

But, then there is God's wisdom. . .

The writer of Proverbs tells us, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge - Proverbs 1.7

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding - Proverbs 2.6

So, how would you define God's wisdom? It has its expression in several ways:

1. Understanding - what is true, right, lasting

2. Discretion - the ability to decide responsibly

3. Prudence - wise in handling practical matters, exercising good judgment, common sense, careful about one's conduct

4. Discernment - keen insight

5. Knowledge - the sum of scholarly learning through the ages; wise teachings of the ancient sages

6. Action - exercising discretion, prudence, discernment in choosing a course of action for ourselves

God is the source of wisdom. And what's more, He offers it to us. The brother of our Lord wrote, "If you lack wisdom, ask God, and He will give it to you." (James 1.5) That is pretty straightforward, isn't it? Pray specifically. . . for instance, I regularly pray, "Lord, help me be prudent with what I put in my mouth, and with what comes out of my mouth!" You are walking into a meeting, and you pray in advance for God's wisdom--the ability to understand the body of information presented. . . Great news--God doesn't play guessing games, or make you choose which cup it is under--He says, 'Ask me, its yours'. A little further into James, he breaks it down even more for us--

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,

reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy." (3.17) Notice that the list doesn't include proud or judgmental.

The wisdom of the world may include lofty thinking and pondered philosophies, but it will leave the soul empty. Paul gives the whole subject greater consideration in his first letter to the Corinthians. . .contrasting wisdom and foolishness. "So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe." 1 Corinthians 1.20-21 NLT

And so, I pray that you would strive after the wisdom of God, not man. Desire it, pray for it, that you may grow in its fullness--that your life might be characterized by it.

Grace and peace to you, fellow travelers~ Christine