Two Kinds of Wisdom

By Nina Medrano –

Have you ever found yourself speaking pleasantries to a fellow co-worker, a team member, an equal, who through self-elevation began to speak in tones of authority over you?Recently, I found myself in such a situation. Without advance warning, my flesh shot to the surface and I countered back a response over my fellow co-worker. Of course, not to be outdone, she raised her tone a notch. I obliged the same. I’m embarrassed to say that we went hand over hand on this invisible bat until one of us disengaged in conversation. For the next couple hours I had difficulty concentrating. I had grieved my spirit. Like a thief, my flesh rose up and took control, then left me holding the bag of envy and self-ambitious tones.

Just a few days before this incident I was reading in the book of James when the Spirit of God paused on chapter 3 verses 13 through verse 18. I so enjoy reading the Word of God with the Holy Spirit because on many occasions He will interrupt my reading and pause long enough for me to stop at a specific verse which will minister to my heart in areas that I am unaware of. This particular verse in James speaks of two kinds of wisdom:

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his 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, of the devil. 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 raise a harvest of righteousness.

As I read these precious verses, my spirit was gently moved by God’s Holy Spirit and my heart responded in prayer. I asked Abba Father to root out any seed of ungodly wisdom within me and replace it with the seed that comes from heaven.

Two days later, after my fleshly response to my co-worker, I sat in a business meeting disappointed with myself as I realized my point of fault. As soon as my meeting dismissed, I went to a quiet place where I could go before the Lord. I asked Abba Father to forgive me for embracing a wisdom that does not come from Him, a wisdom that is carnal and void of His Spirit.

Grateful for the leading and conviction of His Holy Spirit, I began to further ponder the two kinds of wisdom and was reminded of two trees in the garden. I wonder, if we could trace back the family tree of Wisdom, would it lead to two trees in the Garden of Eden?