I speak about the difference between intelligence and wisdom and what God thinks of our human wisdom. This was a Bible class I taught at Gracepoint Church when it was in Roanoke, TX.

1. Wise Guys (and Gals)
Jesse W. Cheng

2. World War 2 - D-Day June 6, 1944 –
82nd Airborne

3. Definition of the idiom “Wise Guy”
•One who is sarcastic or makes jokes in
an attempt to seem witty, usually to
others' annoyance; a smart aleck. Joe is
such a wise guy that it's hard to know
when he's being serious.

4. What do we associate with being wise?
•Intelligent
•Careful
•Farsighted
•Good judgement
•Smart

5. Wisdom versus Intelligence
•Intelligence is in direct proportion to the
number of neurons you were born with.
•Wisdom is a lot more!

6. Merriam Webster Definition of Wisdom
• knowledge that is gained by
having many experiences in
life. : the natural ability to
understand things that most
other people cannot
understand. : knowledge of
what is proper or reasonable :
good sense or judgment.

7. The Wise Definition of Wisdom…
• The ability to take past experiences, learn from
them, and extrapolate them into the future.
• The ability to benefit from others past
experiences and extrapolate them into your
future or how to avoid the “School of Hard
Knocks!”

8. Vine’s Expository Dictionary Hebrew
Definition of the Word “Wise”
•A mastery of the Art of
Living in accordance with
God’s expectations.

9. What does God think of our Human Wisdom?
• 1 Corinthinans 3:18-19
• Let no man deceive himself. If any man among
you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him
become a fool, that he may be wise.
• For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with
God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their
own craftiness.
• And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the
wise, that they are vain.

11. What is the Source of Wisdom?
• Job 28:20; 23; 28
• Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the
place of understanding?
• God understandeth the way thereof, and he
knoweth the place thereof.
• And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the
Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is
understanding.

12. Where does
wisdom come
from?
“Fear of the Lord” refers to
awe, reverence, honor, and
respect.
The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of wisdom: and the
knowledge of the holy is
understanding.

13. How to be a Wise Guy in 3 easy steps!!!
Pro 3:5 Trust in the
LORD with all thine
heart; and lean not
unto thine own
understanding.
1
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and
he shall direct thy
paths.
2
Pro 3:7 Be not wise in
thine own eyes: fear
the LORD, and depart
from evil.
3

14. Godly Wisdom #1:
• 1st: Be a person who studies the WORD!
• 2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known
the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise
unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:

15. Godly Wisdom #2:
•Be a person who PRAYS!
•James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and
it shall be given him.

16. Godly Wisdom #3:
• Be a person who TRUSTS God!
• Philippians 4:6 (ESV): Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known to God.
• 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.

17. Our life is like being in a caboose!

18. God is in Control!
Wisdom is not being in the control booth but to trust God to be
in the control booth!

19. Godly Wisdom vs. Earthly Wisdom
(James 3:13 KJV) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a
good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
(James 3:14 KJV) But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against
the truth.
(James 3:15 KJV) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
(James 3:16 KJV) For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
(James 3:17 KJV) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to
be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
(James 3:18 KJV) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

20. Godly Wisdom is:
• Transformational (beyond our ability to engineer).
• Romans 12:1-2:
• I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to
God, which is your spiritual worship.
• Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what
is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

21. Godly Wisdom versus Earthly Wisdom:
Earthly Wisdom:
• Rebukes correction
• Scorner, corrects others
• Sensual – appeals to the senses
and emotions
• Catch Words:
• Follow your heart!
• Seeing is believing!
Godly Wisdom:
• Gentle
• Accepts Correction
• Careful how to live (modest)
• Chaste, Faithful, Pure
• Merciful
• Without partiality
• Peaceful
• Without Hypocrisy, unpretentious

22. Heavenly Wisdom Again!
• James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from above
is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to
be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

23. Biblical Wisdom Quiz – True or False
•1. Love Covers all Sins?
•True or False?

24. TRUE
• Proverbs 10:12 (KJV)
• Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
• Proverbs 10:12 (NKJV)
• Hatred stirs up fights, but love covers all sins.

25. Biblical Wisdom Quiz - True of False?
2. We should not resist an evil person?
• True or False?

26. TRUE
• Matthew 5:38 You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth."
• Matthew 5:39 But I say to you, Do not resist evil. But whoever
shall strike you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
• Matthew 5:40 And to him desiring to sue you, and to take away
your tunic, let him have your coat also.
• Matthew 5:41 And whoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with
him two.

27. Biblical Wisdom Quiz – True or False
• 3. We should not complain about one another?
• True or False?

28. TRUE
•James 5:9 (ESV)
•Do not grumble against one another,
brothers, so that you may not be judged;
behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

29. Biblical Wisdom Quiz – True or False
• BONUS QUESTION
• Divine Wisdom is gentle at all times and willing to yield to others.
• TRUE or FALSE

30. TRUE
•James 3:17 (ESV)
•But the wisdom from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full
of mercy and good fruits, impartial and
sincere.