Wisdom

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Paul writes in Romans 16:1919For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. (Romans 16:19), “I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” Such is the divine remedy for the evil in this world, even as our Lord Himself put it figuratively in Matthew 10:1616Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16), combining the prudence of the serpent with the harmlessness (or simplicity, for it is the same word) of the dove. Human wisdom seeks to guard itself by a thorough knowledge of the world and of all evil ways. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, devilish. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, uncontentious and unfeigned. It does not need to cultivate acquaintance with evil. It knows good in Christ; it is satisfied, and it adores. It hears and loves the Shepherd’s voice; a stranger’s voice it knows not and will not follow. And this suits the simplest soul brought to the knowledge of God, so that it becomes the wisest, because it alone glorifies the Lord. Indeed, it is the only path of safety for us, being such as we are and in such a world, for in the world evil as yet has the upper hand, though the believer has the secret of victory over it, already vanquished in the cross of Christ.
W. Kelly