Become Foolish to Become Wise
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 (NASB)
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” 21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
SUMMARY
Paul reminds us in this passage that we need to not deceive ourselves, that our wisdom is worldly and only in foolishness can we become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. Only God’s wisdom is wise, and everything belongs to Christ.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
This passage reminds us to not rely on our own wisdom, our know-hows, our pride, our vanity, our ways, and what we think is best, but to be “foolish” in the eyes of the world and trust in God. Paul reminds us that God humbles us by using the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and only God can catch the wise in their craftiness. The Lord shows us that the reasonings of the wise are useless and we deceive ourselves for the sake of vanity, failing to rely on Him.
APPLICATION
We ought to not boast and rely on our own wisdom, but learn to look up to God for His wisdom, for His ways, His direction and His path. I need to learn to humble myself, and seek God, humbly, recognizing and remembering that God always knows better, that He loves me, He takes care of me, He provides for me, and He makes the way, the best way because He truly knows best.
PRAYER
God, help me trust in You, not lean on my own understanding, not boast in all the gifts and talents You have endowed me with, but to boast in Your wisdom, Your love, and Your ways. Help me to seek You when I am stuck and start relying in my ways, that I may remember that my ways fall short of Your ways, that nothing compares to the peace I have when I have faith in You and the inheritance we have in You. I thank You for how You love me and how You diligently pursue me in Your faithfulness no matter how much I fall short and disappoint You. Thank You for always being so gracious and merciful with me. Your love never fails and renews me every morning. Thank You for choosing me and always being with me.
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