Worldly wisdom vs. Godly wisdom... Whats the diference?Understanding cause and efect is the nature of worldly wisdom. Learningconsequences, weighing cost, discerning outcomes is all evidence ofstrong worldly wisdom. Understanding these formulas for life help usmake wise decisions.The Bible prescribes worldly wisdom for making many of lifes decisions!determining "nances before building a tower, comparing troops before going to war, even weighing the cost of becoming a disciple, and understanding the laws of the harvest, "nances, and friendship.#cripture is "lled with wonderful e$amples of good, well%reasoned, cause%and%efect formulas for good decision making.But when we try to bring &cause%and%efect' theology to work in our favor with(od, we discover something that at "rst is very disconcerting!)ur formulas dont work with (od.*e try to do what #cripture requires, but we never seem to garner greater favorfrom (od. *e submit our requests to +im faithfully, and rarely hear back regardingthose things requested. *e &get our life straightened out', yet dontsee +im increase blessing at every turn.&*ait,' you may say, &- +./0 been blessed, and - 1) receive favor, and - 1)hear from (od, and - 23)* +es worked in my life,'(ood... 4e too,5et, it never seems to be in response to my praying, or behaving, or changing.-n fact, its often the e$act opposite. *hen - #T)6 praying for something and relinquish my desire to +im, +e often brings about what - U#01 to ask for, *hen - give up behaving, +e often brings about a change of heart. *hen - see +im working its rarely where - *.3T +im working, )f course, there are some positive, worldly efects associated with all these endeavors. Better behavior may keep me out of trouble, and veracious prayer may make me more mindful of (od, and certainly making good changes in my lifestyle can have wonderful impact in my circumstances % thus worldly wisdom certainly works, But (od is not responding to my formulaic e$pectations.#cripture deals with this, too. 7onah, couldnt change (ods mind about 3ineveh 8or his part there9. .braham couldnt make any of hisown plans for (od. 7acob, 7oseph, 4oses, 0li:ah, 7ob, 6aul, 6eter, and even 7esus all couldnt get what they wanted from (od....Because (od does not operate with us in the formulaic paradigm of worldly wisdom.(od operates in a purely relational paradigm.- have struggled with (od over my "nances, my relationships, my career, myfamily, travel, health, talents, pain, opportunities, hopes, sin, perspective, spiritual gifts, and more. 5et, nothing - do seems to bring about greater divine empowerment.Because - am consequential and (od is relational, we are too often working toward very diferent goals. - will never undermine (ods sovereign goal for my life. 4y goal for me is always me. +is goal for me is always +im. +e wants +imself for me.*hen - desire "nancial security, +e is wanting more of +imself for me. *hen -am trying to be a better person, +e is wanting more of +imself for me. *hen - want a better marriage, a better :ob, a better house, even better health, (ods goal for me is none of these. +e wants a deeper dependence, a richer relationship, and a more authentic e$perience of +imself for me.This con;ict may seem insurmountable. But (od graciously gives us the solution in +is *ord. The answer to all - need in this life :ust happens to be +im, as well. +e says to seek +im when were thirsty. To seek +is kingdom 8not ours9 and +is righteousness 8not ours9, and all that we need will be provided.-ronically, - seek what - need when (od wants to be my pursuit. +e doesntdesire :ust to be my 6rovider. +e wants to be my 6rovision. +e doesnt :ust want to give me security, +e wants to be my *orldly wisdom is discerning cause ? efect...(odly wisdom is living in, through, and from our relationship with @hrist as ourLife..s we depend upon +im % and abide in +im % as our #ource, we e$perience by grace all +e has for us. .nd +e moves us into a deeper realiAation of our Life, who is @hrist.