Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom and Truth Part 5
The Result of Knowing the Truth
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32 NASB95
Result 1 Jesus’ famous assertion that the truth will set you free was given to believers that trusted in Him. Following his statement, He explained that the result of becoming a genuine believer, continuing to abide (remain) in Him will result in freedom from sin (see verses 34-38). The first result of knowing the truth is freedom from the power and dominion of sin in your life.
Result 2 The next result is knowing the truth about God’s plan of redemption. In the first chapter of Paul’s first epistle to the church at Corinth, Paul appealed to a quarreling and divided church to join in unity around Christ, and to recognize that they were the recipients of God’s wisdom. The second chapter continues to emphasize that God’s wisdom in salvation is provided by His Spirit. This wisdom. Though foolish to the world of unbelievers, God’s redemption through the death and resurrection of His Son reveals the wisdom of God’s plan of redemption. In verse 13, Paul explains that spiritual truth is taught by the Spirit to a believer (it is not taught by human wisdom). Compare three translations of the passage in 2:13:
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 1 Cor 2:13 (NIV)
And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Cor 2:13 (ESV)
… which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 1 Co 2:13 (NASB 95)
Notice that:
- The teaching can be translated “explaining”, Interpreting” or “combining”
- The wisdom being taught is a “spiritual reality”, a “spiritual truth’, or translating “Spiritual thoughts to words”
In verse 14, Paul explains, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised”. Here, Paul explained that the second result of embracing the truth is to receive the wisdom to appreciate God’s redemption from sin.
Result 3 The third result of knowing the truth is the ability to walk wisely in righteous behavior that is peacefully sown like seeds that are carefully planted (James 3:13,18) James illustrated what he meant by contrasting the outcome of these two forms of wisdom:
- The result of the world’s wisdom is disorder and evil practices (3:16).
- The result of God’s wisdom is righteousness peacefully planted. (3:18)
The following chart contrasts the attributes of God’s wisdom based on truth with the world’s wisdom, and the result of each behavior.
Jesus also contrasted the walk of the wise and the unwise in several similar parables:
- Wise and Foolish Builders – in Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus contrasted the wise builder who built his house (his life) on the rock foundation (the Lord and eternal values) and the foolish builder whose foundation was sand (the world of temporal values).
- The Wise and Foolish Stewards – In Luke 12:42-48 Jesus contrasted the wise servant who is faithful over the ruler’s assigned stewardship and the foolish steward who disbelieved the ruler’s promise to return and squandered his stewardship.
- Wise and Foolish Virgins – in Matthew 25:1-13, after explaining He will come again (as a bridegroom), Jesus described wise brides who are prepared and eager – as“they that look for Him” (Hebrews 9:28), and “love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). The unwise were unprepared, and sadly, rejected by the groom.
- Foolish Investor – in Luke 12:16-21 Jesus described the sad fate of the foolish investor who unwisely boasted to himself “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry” on the night of his untimely death. (v. 19) He counted on the temporal things of life, misjudged his lifespan, and failed to invest in eternal things.
The results of embracing the truth are first, a freedom from sin, next an understanding and appreciate for God’s wisdom in the plan of salvation, and finally, the ability to walk wisely in righteous behavior.