This link came about via a discussion about the "wisdom" of this age vs. God's words. I knew that all of man's knowledge is worthless - leads to damnation - but I never set about showing it to be true from God's own words. So along came this discussion on a newsgroup and so generated my interest in bringing it here. Praise God!

1 Corinthians 2:14
"The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

Ecclesiastes 2:12-16

12. Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?
13. I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
14. The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.
15. Then I thought in my heart, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" I said in my heart, "This too is meaningless."
16. For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die!

NB: if you recall the criminal on the cross asked Christ: "Will you remember me?" If God forgets you this means damnation. So too in this verse (Ecc. 2:16) it says both the wise man and the fool are forgotten.

Perhaps when God says "woe to those..." will convice you that only God's word is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Here's the verse:

Isaiah 5:20
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."

"...darkness for light..." = the world's opinion above God's word

"...light for darkness..." = the Bible is not the truth

Also this: I was reading a pamphlet handed to me by my neighbor and in it there is an OT verse about man's "wisdom," to wit:

Psalm 118:8
"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

I once was blind, but now I see. By God's grace He openned my eyes and now I have hope.

And I just found this. Although it does not come out and say directly that man's wisdom is to be avoided, it does make it clear that the thoughts of man are worthless.

Colossians 2:2-4, 8, 14-23

2. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
3. in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

8. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

14. having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
15. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
16. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
17. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
18. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
19. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20. Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
21. "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
22. These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
23. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Sabbath, 05/20/06, 9:48 AM EST USA

John 8:12-18

12. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
13. The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."
14. Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.
15. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.
16. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.
17. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.
18. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."

v. 15: "You judge by human standards; ... "

How utterly amazing - the very thing that separates the elect from the world. This is the hallmark of the difference between those who see God's Word as true and who say He is just a man; who know God's word as true and who say it is just a book written by man.

John 9:25 " ... One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 09:29 AM EST USA

Yesterday I met with my family and of course we discussed everything from 'A' to 'Z'. I tried to bring God's Word into the discussion but if I did they would ignore me or listen tolerantly. My sister said our Mom is watching over us. So I looked at her skeptically and she changed her view, knowing my faith, and said " ... well, someone is watching over us." So I could only say "His name is God and His Son is Jesus Christ." She acknowledged what I said but no impression was made. We who witness for the LORD are but a meager drop of water. After all, His Will is done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Be that as it may I still wondered about all the other talking I did. I cannot help but think I am trying to gain their trust - their friendship - so they know I am not a threat to them. So that maybe one day they will hear what I am saying is true - i.e. delivering the Truth quoting God's Holy Word.

Alas, now that I think of it I am perceived as a threat to them - not themselves - but to their way of life. Indeed, Christ taught the antithesis of this life. Live by faith, not by the flesh. Love God, not money (the world). So all this "confidence building" I thought I was doing is going nowhere. They don't trust the message from the beginning - regardless - even if the messenger is their brother, cousin, uncle, or in-law. Praise God! What a wonderful epiphany. May God grant me the right way to speak when I am with anyone, in Jesus' name, amen.

Back to my point. I wondered about what I said was reasonable, or bad. This morning as I searched for a phrase in Revelation when I came across this chapter (1 Timothy 6) and realized that the way I have been talking to people is off the mark. I need to keep only to God's Word. I will appear one dimensional, but life isn't about me - how I am perceived by people. I want to tell them that I am a person of reason and yet when I do I talk about the world in a reasonable way - which is off the mark. So I am being not reasonable to God - but reasonable to men... how wrong I have been! May God grant me the right words to say so that God is given all of the glory, and that His Holy Word is seen by those who will listen, in Jesus' name, amen.

1 Timothy 6

1. All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered.
2. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them. Love of Money
3. If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
4. he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
5. and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
12. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you
14. to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15. which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16. who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

17. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
18. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
19. n this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,
21. which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.
            Grace be with you.