TWO KINDS OF WISDOM

(Volodymyr Sukhanych)

There are two kinds of wisdom. One of them is based upon a divine foundation, while the other serves self interests:

• Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:13-15; NIV)

While both forms of wisdom bear fruit, the fruit of self-serving wisdom eventually becomes confused like a buttoned shirt which starts with the wrong button. While such a shirt can be buttoned to the top, everything will be out-of-place. Eventually, this will lead to disappointment.

Ahithophel was King David's wisest advisor. He was so wise that his counsel was regarded as Scripture (2 Samuel 16:23). However, he was wise is a worldly way. After David's son Absalem overthrew his father, Ahithophel had no moral qualms about joining the usurper.

However, Absalem rejected Ahithophel's prudent advice in favor of Hushai's. This rejection proved too much for the sage to bear:

• When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. (2 Samuel 17:23)

Ahithophel's life was based upon the esteem of others and not of God. His foundation was sand, a wrong button which rendered the entire structure disordered and unstable. Therefore, when he lost that, he lost everything.