"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." (Ecclesiastes 9: 11)
To this day, modern intellects trust in their wisdom. Powerful men worship the state, or they revere the esteem of men at the expense of the eternal truth.
Being smart is not enough. To be well-versed and advised in the ways of the world invites failure and folly:
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1: 1-2)
"The counsel of the ungodly" is the wit and "wisdom" of the world. The traditions of the elders, the suggestions from co-workers which are not based in Scripture.
"Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (1 Corinthians 1: 20)
and
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (1 Corinthians 3: 19)
In fact, anything from the world is a sure bet to fail:
"And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away." (1 Corinthians 7:31)
and
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (2 John 2: 17)
The will of God is that we grow in grace and knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3: 18)
The more that we know Jesus, the more wisdom we receive, among other wonderful gifts:
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1: 30)
Being smart is not enough. Being in Christ grants us wisdom, along with the gifts of righteousness and grace for all that we need.
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