THE book of Proverbs tells us “Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom and above all get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). The scriptural priority stated here is not as many might suppose on getting love or faith but on getting wisdom.
James speaks of two kinds of wisdom: one is earthly, sensual, devilish but the wisdom from above is nothing less than the very nature of Christ and will therefore include both love and faith.
The way for Christians is Christ.
He is their truth and also the source of the supernatural life, which God’s children possess (John 14:6).
I don’t want anything I say in this article to be misconstrued and therefore I affirm my settled conviction that doctrine is of paramount importance. Every individual Christian and ever y Christian Church should major in the Word of God and in prayer. Christian leaders are especially accountable in both regards. It is not too much to say that this is literally a life and death issue spiritually, especially in these days of deception and compromise. Truth will never deceive. However it is tragically all too clear that a person can know a very great deal of truth and be devoid of the wisdom that is from above.

In 1748 John Wesley wrote to Vincent Perronet, the vicar of Shoreham giving an account of the origins, tenets and practices of the Methodists. It is a long and fascinating letter, which I think every Church leader would do well to read. I give here an extract.
“About ten years ago my brother and I were desired to preach in many parts of London. We had no view therein but, so far as we were able (and we knew God could work by whomsoever it pleased Him), to convince those who would hear what true Christianity was and to persuade them to embrace it. The points we chiefly insisted upon were four. First, that orthodoxy, or right opinions, is at best but a very slender part of religion, if it can be allowed to be any part of it at all: that neither does religion consist in negatives, in bare harmlessness of any kind: not merely in externals, in doing good, or using the means of grace, in works of piety (so called) or of charity: that it is nothing short of or different from ‘the mind that was in Christ’: the image of God stamped upon the heart; inward righteousness, attended with the peace of God and ‘joy in the Holy Spirit”. *1

Wesley reminds us that being of “right opinions’’ i.e. theological accuracy is but a little if indeed it is any part of religion. There are two scriptural examples to which I would like to refer to illustrate the point that a person can have a spiritual understanding informed by supernatural experience or can have an almost invincible acumen and yet their soul may at the same time be fatally and irretrievably sick.

These individuals are Balaam and Ahithophel. Balaam is a remarkable character, a mystery and a contradiction. He longs for righteousness and to go to heaven (Numbers 23:10). He has the prophetic gift. He can see into the unseen world (Numbers 24:4,16). He is able to communicate with God (Numbers 22:8-12,20). He has a reputation for spiritual power and authority (Numbers 22:6). His prophetic utterances still hold good and are part of the canon of scripture. For all this he is a lost, sick soul. His sickness appears to be terminal greed and it unhinges him completely.
Peter refers to his insanity when he warns the Church both against the dangers of spiritual crookedness and the intruders who have gained a place among God’s people (2 Peter 2:16). In the end Balaam uses his knowledge of truth against God’s people. He cannot use his powers. God will not let him curse and so he explains to Balak the pagan king who has hired him that if he can get the Israelites to sin, wrath will surely fall upon them. A man full of light and wisdom but not the wisdom that is from above; so much knowledge, so little wisdom — so terrible an end. Ahithophel was different to Balaam. He did not have the same spiritual authority but his wisdom was legendary. As a counsellor he was never wrong. People likened his advice to receiving God’s own counsel (2 Samuel 16:23). This perhaps more than anything endangered his soul. There is no record of him humbly refuting this public reputation and ensuring that he was seen to be deferential to the Lord. Perhaps he revelled in his reputation. Who can say at this distance in time what his attitude and motivations were.
When Absalom rebelled and King David was on the run from Jerusalem he learned to his dismay that Ahithophel, his counsellor, had joined the rebellion. It seems that this alarmed him more than anything and he cried to God for Ahithophel’s counsel to be defeated (2 Samuel 15:31).
Ahithophel was as shrewd as it is possible to be as far as men and political affairs were concerned. He was also totally right in his military strategy. In all this wisdom his heart was dying because of bitterness and resentment against David.
What damaging thing bitterness can be. It turns the soul against God and His anointed. It puts up an insurmountable barrier against Jesus the one loving being who can heal the emotions and restore the soul. If anyone is harbouring resentment against another person or persons it must be dealt with urgently and decisively. If a person cannot in his own strength cease to commit this (or any) sin then he should come to Jesus in an honest and sincere heart and he will be set free. It may not be instantly and totally removed (although there is every provision for this in the atonement) but God will certainly do this gracious work for those who are prepared to be serious with Him.
Ahithophel counsels correctly. He persuades Absalom to sleep publicly with his father’s concubines. This would indicate to all the waverers that reconciliation between the king and his son was out of the question and thus each man must choose. This doubtless led vast numbers into Absalom’s ranks.
Ahithophel then advised an immediate attack on David while he was weakened, on the run and exposed. This was excellent advice. God overturned it by causing Absalom to heed the advice of Hushai who was secretly still loyal to king David. Hushai appeals to pride. He advises Absalom to gather the whole country together and at the head of a vast army he would not fail to defeat the king who had only a small remnant of loyal men. Absalom was attracted to this idea and accepted what was a fatal suggestion. When his advice was rejected, Ahithophel, brilliant to the end, knew immediately that the cause was lost and the rebellion must fail.
No doubt there was a lot of wild optimism in Absalom’s camp and probably a triumphalist atmosphere but one man saw it all so clearly. Ahithophel knew the opportunity was lost. David would win. He did not even think it worth awaiting the outcome of the battle. He went home, put his affairs in order and hung himself. Brilliant to the end but so far, far away from the wisdom that comes from above.
What had Ahithophel really done? He turned from his allegiance to God to an alliance with Satan. It is surprisingly easy to do this: it even happens unwittingly.
When Peter received his great revelation concerning the identity of Christ this gave him no immunity from falling. In a moment he thinks and speaks like a man and Jesus says to him “Get behind me Satan” (Matthew 16:23). His insistence that Christ should not die was well intentioned but actually a terrible barbed arrow from the evil one. Had Calvary been avoided, humanity would have been irredeemably lost and Satan would have continued to hold sway. It was only by Christ dying that the one who had the power of death could be defeated (Hebrews 2:14).
We can so very easily think and speak contrary to the mind of God. How important it is that we should carefully follow the Spirit’s leading and reject those impulses, which are merely natural. It is often wise to say very little until we have the mind of God. These two men had insight, clear understanding, and spiritual authority but were so unlike Christ. Many Christians seem to lack wisdom and this is not good.
Jesus commands us to be as wise as serpents but as harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).

	Christ’s own intercession is constant and continual and has a profound effect on Christians whose hearts are truly His ...even if they fall short.

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Appeared in Issue CETF 9.1 September 2003
"...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" -- Jude v3