3:181 Corinthians 3:18

No one is to fool himself about being wise, and anyone who looks wise by this world's measure must let go of trust in that wisdom in order to receive real wisdom from God.RH Dec 11, 1900+2 To become a fool in this sense is to accept being counted foolish by the world, to think little of human wisdom, and to become lowly and teachable so as to be able to learn.Ms 111, 1909, par. 26–27+2 Human wisdom by itself is folly in God's sight, for He catches the wise in their own scheming and knows their thoughts are empty, so no one has ground to boast in men.Ms 21, 1898, par. 25–26+2 God gives His wisdom, which is made known by the Spirit, only to the humble and contrite and childlike, when pride is laid low and self-reliance is surrendered beneath the cross to learn from Christ.RH Dec 11, 1900+4

Let no one fool himself about wisdom, for anyone who counts as wise by this world's standard must surrender confidence in that wisdom in order to receive true wisdom from God.RH Dec 11, 1900+4 The warning guards against mistaking worldly or self-regarding wisdom for true wisdom, against claiming superior wisdom or supposing important work can be done alone, and it calls for humble daily dependence on the Holy Spirit and trust in God to show the way at every step instead of acting in self-confidence.RH Dec 11, 1900+2 True wisdom builds only on Jesus Christ with gold, silver and precious stones that abide when the day declares every man's work by fire, honoring believers as God's holy temple, husbandry and building where His Spirit dwells with a contrite and humble spirit.Ms 21, 1898, par. 25–26+1

Seeming to be wise in this world means being wise in one's own eyes and reputation by worldly standards.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 7+2 It includes being supposed wise in financial and business matters, and when such men withhold their plans and methods for God's cause in this solemn period the work is left to those of less ability and limited experience who build on Christ.Lt 56, 1893, par. 26–27 It also includes being forward to speak in meeting and seeking the highest place.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 7+1

Becoming a fool means willingly accepting the world's charge of foolishness and thinking far less of human wisdom.Ms 111, 1909, par. 26–27+2 It means becoming humble and low in one's own estimation, stepping down from loftiness, superiority and self-sufficiency, and becoming a teachable learner and daily pupil in Christ's school in order to drink in wisdom.Ms 130, 1899, par. 19+3 God gives such wisdom to the humble and contrite, the meek and lowly, laying human pride low, revealing wisdom to the lowly and exalting the self-denying learner.12MR 156.1+1

Becoming a fool in order to be wise means doing the right thing even when many call it foolish.Ms 111, 1909, par. 26–27 It means laying aside self-conceit and worldly craftiness, refusing to be puffed up or to lift oneself up supposing whatever one chooses is right, remembering a man is only a man and not God and never a foundation for others to build on, since all are brethren.Lt 233, 1899, par. 9+1 It means submitting to humble self-examination rather than trusting human judgment, reputation and worldly ideas, and attending to one's own individual Christian work without finding fault with another's labor.Lt 109a, 1898, par. 1–4+1

That humbling experience is especially needed by men who are forward to speak in meeting.Ms 8a, 1888, par. 7 It is needed by those who lift themselves up in exaltation supposing anything they choose to do is right.Lt 233, 1899, par. 9 It is needed by those who judge brethren because they do not count one's words and spirit and actions as perfection, and by those who glory in men by exalting one minister against another.Ms 130, 1901, par. 30–33

Paul's warning meets divisions and contentions where members trusted narrow, conceited human judgment instead of having the mind and Spirit of Christ, and their envy and strife showed carnality in walking as men.RH Dec 11, 1900+1 Such cherishing of envy and strife is the weakness of the church, for allowing prejudice, jealousy, evil surmisings and discord against brethren separates from brethren and thus from God and hinders the manifestation of the Spirit, who is not sent as Comforter and Strengthener until His people are of one mind, loving as brethren, pitiful and courteous.Ms 67, 1900, par. 14–16 The remedy is humility that gives up confidence in worldly wisdom, since obedience to God matters more than the world's esteem.RH Dec 11, 1900

The warning belongs to the instruction of 1 Corinthians 1, 2, and 3, which carries teaching of the greatest importance for the present time and for all who have entered the Lord's army, to be carefully read, studied, understood and practiced in a special work to be done.20MR 335.1–3+1 It exposes carnality in believers who have not fed on Christ and advanced in spiritual knowledge, remaining babes in Christ fed with milk, the plainest simple truths suitable for young converts, rather than meat, the solid nourishing spiritual food for those advanced in divine things, living on a low level on surface truth that calls for no thought and no deep research.20MR 335.1–3+1

It rebukes party spirit where one says I am of Paul and another I am of Apollos, withdrawing from some for no reason but what exists in the imagination and binding up with others.Ms 67, 1900, par. 14–16 It warns against standing as independent atoms and against linking up with the one man under whose labors light of present truth was received and tying up in separate bundles on his side while refusing harmony with brethren.Ms 130, 1901, par. 25–26+2 For want of meekness and humility and wholehearted kindness this self-deception divides what should act in love and harmonious action, each strengthening the other.16MR 196.1–2

Ministers are only ministers by whom people believed, even as the Lord gave to every man, with one planting and another watering but God giving the increase, so neither he that plants nor he that waters is anything.Ms 67, 1900, par. 14–16 He that plants and he that waters are one, though their work may differ in some respects their object is to be the same, and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.Ms 67, 1900, par. 14–16 Therefore a minister who does not dwell on the same things but emphasizes another phase of truth or presents the Word in a different way should not be condemned nor be afraid his brethren do not regard him.Ms 67, 1900, par. 14–16

True wisdom builds only on the foundation of Jesus Christ with gold, silver and precious stones that will abide when the day declares every man's work by fire.Ms 21, 1898, par. 25–26 It honors believers as God's holy temple where the Spirit dwells, as God's husbandry and God's building, a dwelling place for the Most High made with a contrite and humble spirit, humbling self-estimate in worldly reckoning in order to become truly wise.Ms 21, 1898, par. 25–26+1

Those seized by a divisive spirit are carnal, not sanctified through the truth, and stand on dangerous ground.Ms 130, 1901, par. 25–26+1 They need reconversion as soon as possible, else their claimed conversion is a stumbling block to sinners.Ms 130, 1901, par. 25–26 Those truly converted unto the proclamation of the third angel's message must not present to the world, to angels, and to men division in place of unity, but be sanctified by the truth to be channels and representatives of grace from one great Source, making straight paths for their feet lest the lame be turned out of the way, with meekness and humility and wholehearted kindness governing actions in love and unity, each taking diligent heed to his own course.Ms 130, 1901, par. 25–26+2

Worldly wisdom is foolishness with God, for He takes the wise in their own craftiness and He knows the thoughts of the wise are vain.Ms 21, 1898, par. 25–26+4 Therefore no one is to glory in men, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, for all things present and to come, life and death and things present and to come, belong to believers who are Christ's, and Christ is God's.Ms 21, 1898, par. 25–26+4 This warning guards against self-deception about wisdom and commands anyone who seems wise in this world to become a fool in worldly eyes in order to become truly wise.Ms 21, 1898, par. 25–26+4 It protects God's holy temple, His people indwelt by His Spirit, from defilement, and it requires humbling the heart, refusing to judge brethren for not counting one's words and actions as perfection, refusing to glory in men by exalting one minister against another, refusing to lord over God's heritage, and exercising sincere conversion and faith that works by love with Christ made wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption so that whoever glories glories in the Lord.Ms 21, 1898, par. 25–26+4

Finite human reason, philosophy, questioning and science cannot grasp God or the work of His Spirit, for spiritual things are spiritually discerned.Lt 280, 1906, par. 20–25+3 Divine things cannot be measured by perverted human conceptions and finite balances that put men's opinions first and God's Word behind, and those without vital connection with God are swayed by learned men who sit in judgment upon God and His works and ways and are blinded by the god of this world.12MR 132.2+2 The wisdom of so-called great, worldly-wise men is foolishness with God, and only those willing to be accounted fools in the eyes of the worldly-wise will have the wisdom which is divine.12MR 132.2+2 God's wisdom is different from the world's wisdom because it is revealed by the Spirit, and people depending only on ordinary human understanding cannot receive or discern it.Lt 280, 1906, par. 20–25+2 Opening the door of the heart to divine grace gives more knowledge of God in one hour than a lifetime of human reasoning, and all who disregard truth disregard its Author and are left destitute of divine enlightenment and without correct ideas of God's plans and ways, so that God will not dwell with those who reject His truth.Lt 280, 1906, par. 20–25+3

God bestows His wisdom only where true humility is shown, to the humble and contrite, the meek and lowly, those like babes, and the teachable.RH Dec 11, 1900+4 He lays human pride low, reveals wisdom to the lowly, and exalts the self-denying daily learner in Christ's school, while the self-sufficient who are worldly-wise and prudent do not know what makes for their peace and remain blind to what brings peace.RH Dec 11, 1900+4 The one the world calls a fool God calls wise, because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, true greatness comes from goodness alone, and obedience to God and His law is of far greater value than the esteem of the world.RH Dec 11, 1900+4 Such self-humbling keeps the soul-temple free from all defilement, requires giving up confidence in worldly wisdom and self-reliance to depend on God the source of wisdom, and makes even the humblest follower more precious than fine gold, even than the golden wedge of Ophir.RH Dec 11, 1900+4 Divisions and contentions show reliance on narrow, conceited human judgment rather than having the mind and Spirit of Christ, and God's Word and Christ's faultless character and perfect pattern are the guide for learning what is highest and best.RH Dec 11, 1900+2

To become wise a person must give up self-reliance and pride, step down from loftiness and self-sufficiency, and bow human wisdom to divine revelation.Ms 5, 1890, par. 9+3 Human reasoning, knowledge, self-righteousness and all that humanity boasts in must be laid beneath the cross and counted as loss beside knowing Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and who alone can mold and elevate character.Lt 82, 1895, par. 11+2 When the refuge of lies is swept away by exalting Jesus higher and higher and looking upon the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, those who thought themselves wise become fools in order to become truly wise as the effects of the manifold wisdom of God are brought home to the soul in the development of individual character.Lt 82, 1895, par. 11+2 Becoming wise means knowing enough to obey God and His commandments, studying His Word, following in the footsteps of Jesus, wearing the yoke of Christ, gathering every ray of divine light, practicing that light and bringing it into life and character, instead of loving the society of the world and prizing its so-called elevated wisdom which counts for nothing with God.Ms 5, 1890, par. 9+2 Through the grace of Christ, laying aside likes and dislikes, boldness, domineering, self-sufficiency and insubordination, and with simplicity of heart, profound humility and an eye single to God's glory searching God's Word to discern the high things of God and follow Christ's lessons, a person crucifies the flesh with its affections and lusts and becomes a partaker of the divine nature, pure, undefiled and obedient as Christ was, to win eternal life.Ms 5, 1890, par. 9+2

Those who count themselves wise by the standards of this world deceive themselves and must give up that self-estimation and recognize their ignorance in order to become truly wise by learning with humility from God's Word.ST Feb 6, 1893+2 Human wisdom that goes beyond or neglects God's Word is foolishness before God, while studying the Word reveals the binding claims of God's law and leads sinners from transgression to obedience.ST Feb 6, 1893+2 Neglecting Scripture leaves ignorance of God's law and its binding claims, opening the way to transgression and destruction, for God's Word, not human wisdom, is the foundation of true education.ST Feb 6, 1893+2 True wisdom is not worldly learning alone, but knowledge and science guided by God's Spirit and joined with true piety, with Christ abiding in the heart by faith and the soul emptied of self made noble.Ms 30, 1896, par. 23–24

Self-deception begins in self-exaltation, for lifting oneself up and supposing that whatever one chooses is right is forbidden, and no one is to be puffed up with self-conceit but is to become a fool by worldly measure in order to become truly wise.Lt 233, 1899, par. 9+1 A man is only a man and is not God, and he must not suppose that he is appointed to be a foundation upon which other human beings are to build, since Jesus Christ alone is the sure foundation and all are brethren.Lt 233, 1899, par. 9+1 There is danger in such exaltation, so all must take heed, lay aside worldly wisdom with its self-confidence and exalted ideas of personal plans and opinions, give up separation from brethren, refuse to glory in men or tie to one human leader, and work in harmony with others.21MR 398.6–399.3+1 Building apart from brethren on self-confidence lays only rubbish of human supposition on the foundation, while becoming lowly and teachable makes a person truly wise and able to build rightly on Christ.16MR 197.3–198.1

No one is to use human judgment or claims of wisdom to control God's servants by imposing yokes, surveillance, or direction over fellow workers, for the verse belongs to essential instruction in righteousness against a false understanding of the Word that leads to such control.Ms 128, 1908, par. 20–22 Each person is to seek God, be taught by the Holy Spirit, and carry out the work God has given in the liberty God provides, with faith and practice energized by the Spirit rather than imposed by human authority.Ms 128, 1908, par. 20–22+2 No ruling power is to compel men to obey the dictates of the finite mind, but men are to cease from man whose breath is in his nostrils, for turning minds to lean on human wisdom places a veil between God and man so that He who is invisible is no longer seen.Ms 73, 1907, par. 13+1 Reliance on human wisdom turns people from God and obscures their sight of Him, and one who seems wise by the world's standard must become willing to be regarded as foolish in order to receive true wisdom from God.STB 498.1+1

Knowledge of God gained from nature alone is imperfect, and those who rely on human wisdom to know God apart from Christ must give up confidence in that wisdom before they can become truly wise.RH Mar 17, 1904+1 When people exalt nature and its laws above the Creator they become fools and idolaters, for imperfect nature cannot reveal God's moral perfection.RH Mar 17, 1904+1 True knowledge comes through Christ, the personal Saviour and express image of the Father, who reveals God personally.RH Mar 17, 1904+1 Finite man, though supposing himself wise, cannot see God until he becomes a fool in his own estimation, for God is infinitely wise and just and good and His plan for redemption is not comprehended by the wisest of earth.RH Sep 25, 1900 Men grasp one item of science and in foolishness, thinking themselves wise, exalt science above the God of science, though all true science proceeds from God, and those exalted by higher education who think themselves competent to weigh divine counsels know hardly anything of God's mysteries, not even the ABC of higher education.RH Sep 25, 1900 If the veil were lifted they would see infinity beyond, and it will take all eternity to unfold His plans and government over worlds upon worlds, so that even a glimpse of the true and living God produces becoming humility, ends boasting, makes human knowledge seem unspeakably inferior, causes men to wish to sink out of sight, and keeps them from ever again sitting in judgment on God's plans or arraigning Him before their tribunal.RH Sep 25, 1900

Knowledge gained through disobedience does not make wise but brings condemnation and sin, and teachers who impart it lead others into darkness.STE 157.2+1 Those who instruct the young must first become fools by the world's standards in order to be taught and truly wise, receiving a plain Thus saith the Lord instead of plucking from the tree of knowledge what God has forbidden.STE 157.2+1 Becoming a fool means refusing to cut and carve the Scriptures with worldly claims to wisdom that dishonor God, refusing to extol men for great knowledge or sit at their feet when they ignore sanctifying truth, and learning from Christ with heart open to understand so the mind is enlarged and faculties strengthened to comprehend far-reaching truth as the Holy Spirit impresses it on mind and soul.Ms 54, 1896, par. 1+1 Supposed great men of this world must likewise become fools in order to be wise by taking the Word of God as guidebook, counsellor, and teacher, because the Bible teaches the whole will of God concerning salvation and men are ignorant only because they do not choose to be wise.6MR 15.4+1 This requires laying aside worldly wisdom, refusing the sentiments of infidel authors and the mingling of writings advancing error and sophistries that trample God's memorial, and refusing to make the Book that reveals salvation secondary, so that even the ignorant inquirer after truth learns truth from it alone, finds the way to heaven, and is saved from destructive errors.6MR 15.4+1

When men feel wise above a Thus saith the Lord they must give up supposed wisdom and become fools to become truly wise, for true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and grows by progress in knowing God and Jesus Christ, with the living oracles laid at the foundation of all true education and human wisdom never placed at the head as essential.20MR 194.3–195.2 Claiming advancement that supersedes the knowledge of God under the cry of Higher education repeats the self-conceit of worldly churches that cannot read God's word on the Seventh-day Sabbath and repeats the self-exaltation of the long-lived race before the flood.20MR 194.3–195.2 That race trusted mental and moral capabilities, sought to improve on God's plans, worshiped things their own hands made, devised how to contend with heaven and gain Eden, perished in violence, and yielded to Satan's temptation to eat of the tree of knowledge God forbade.20MR 194.3–195.2 It is better to appear foolish in the world's eyes than to accept worldly knowledge used to blind mind and judgment and lead away from God, for knowledge so used follows plans instigated by the archdeceiver, like Satan's part in the heavenly courts.Lt 319, 1905, par. 6 Human wisdom and ability are nothingness in God's sight, and anyone supposing himself superior in wisdom to his fellows deceives himself, departing under Satan's subtlety from gospel simplicity and letting self with hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong take the throne, which hides the loveliness of Christ, reveals traits without Christlikeness, unfits for membership in the Lord's family in the heavenly courts, and requires guarding by genuine humility against the mastery of self.Lt 319, 1905, par. 6+1

Christian work is individual, so no worker is to find fault with another's labor but to improve himself, to refuse to glory in men by exalting one minister against another, and to work in harmony without separation, each taking heed to his own course.Ms 130, 1901, par. 30–33+2 Giving up worldly ideas of wisdom and accepting what the world counts foolish is what makes a person truly wise, and this requires humbling the heart, giving up self-exaltation and separation from brethren, refusing to judge brethren for not counting one's words and spirit and actions as perfection, and refusing to tie oneself to one human leader.Ms 130, 1901, par. 30–33+2 Building apart from brethren on self-confidence and exalted ideas of one's own plans and opinions lays only rubbish of human supposition on the foundation, while becoming lowly and teachable enables right building on Christ and protects God's holy temple of His Spirit-indwelt people from defilement.Ms 130, 1901, par. 30–33+1

Those who seem wise in financial and business matters must not deceive themselves about their wisdom for advancing God's work in this solemn period of earth's history.Lt 56, 1893, par. 26–27 When men supposed to be wise withhold their wisdom in devising plans and suggesting methods for God's cause, the work must depend on those with less business ability and more limited experience who build on Jesus Christ.Lt 56, 1893, par. 26–27 Laying aside worldly craftiness and becoming a fool in worldly estimation is required to become truly wise, because worldly wisdom is foolishness with God and the thoughts of the wise are vain, so no one should glory in men.Lt 56, 1893, par. 26–27 Men who have given their lives to worldly pursuits and cultivated sharp worldly business traits are too worldly-wise to receive truth, to them the preaching of the cross is foolishness, and for that reason they do not come into truth in large numbers.Lt 56, 1893, par. 22–25

Those who instruct the young must first become fools so they may be taught.Ms 22, 1895, par. 22–23 This means turning from worldly education to become wise in the mystery of godliness by digging for the hidden treasures of Christ's words, laying a sure foundation on the Rock with the Bible as the foundation of faith and life, and practicing Christ's words in daily life to be cleansed and sanctified and to grow by eating His flesh and drinking His blood.Ms 92, 1901, par. 13–14 Men counted as learned who talk of higher education while knowing little of the Bible do not know what they are talking about, and men are not to be extolled for great knowledge nor believers to sit at their feet when they ignore the truths that sanctify the soul.Ms 92, 1901, par. 13–14+1 Becoming a fool means receiving a plain Thus saith the Lord instead of plucking from the tree of knowledge what God has forbidden, which is a knowledge of disobedience that brings condemnation and sin, while those who come to Bible study with a heart to understand have the mind enlarged and faculties strengthened to comprehend its precious far-reaching truths as the Holy Spirit impresses them on mind and soul.Ms 22, 1895, par. 22–23

No one is to deceive himself that worldly wisdom makes him able to interpret Scripture, for man cannot interpret Scripture correctly by his own light and narrow comprehension.19MR 75.3–76.1 To become truly wise he must become a fool by laying aside likes and dislikes, boldness, domineering, self-sufficiency, insubordination, loftiness and superiority, and with simplicity of heart, profound humility, and an eye single to God's glory search God's Word to discern the high things of God and follow the lessons of Jesus Christ.19MR 75.3–76.1+2 Teachers of youth and preachers who trust in human wisdom lose by it, closing the door of their hearts to Christ as the bright and morning Star and suffering great loss.Ms 8, 1898, par. 8+1 When through grace he has crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, then he can become a partaker of the divine nature, pure, undefiled and obedient as Christ was, and win eternal life.19MR 75.3–76.1

Becoming a fool means refusing to learn or take part in the sinful knowledge valued in the world.SA 30.1+1 It requires guarding the eyes and ears from corrupting influences, guarding what is seen, heard, thought and said so thoughts and actions remain pure, keeping speech free from corruption, guile and deceit, and keeping the mind from evil seed and wrong knowledge.SA 30.1+1 Self-deception about being wise in this world is forbidden; instead a person is to think soberly and not more highly of himself than he ought, not commending himself but glorying in the Lord and seeking only the Lord's commendation.20MR 106.2–107.1 This includes presenting the body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, keeping body healthful and intellect clear and active for service, cooperating fully with God and looking to Jesus for grace to overcome unnatural craving and indulged appetite rather than excusing moderate indulgence.20MR 106.2–107.1

A great many who think they are prepared for the Lord's coming are not, so the warning must be thought over at home and personally applied, with God's help to understand it.Ms 111, 1909, par. 28–30 This means separating from all hindrances, knowing the will of God and traveling in that pathway, to become free men, all light in the Lord, confessing Christ and coming out of darkness into His marvelous light.Ms 111, 1909, par. 28–30 Applied to students, sincere conversion lays worldly wisdom aside to become a fool in the world's eyes in order to become truly wise, since worldly wisdom is foolishness with God who takes the wise in their own craftiness and knows the thoughts of the wise are vain, so no one should glory in men.Ms 81, 1897, par. 16–17 A truthful, refined, uplifted, ennobled life is not to be regarded as bondage, but the will is to be bowed to heaven with forgiveness of sin experienced, lower appetites and passions refused lest they turn the mind into wrong channels, the mind kept from evil seed and wrong knowledge with all possible learning especially from 1 Corinthians 2, the Creator honored by restoration of the image of God, and one's best done, which is all the Lord requires.Ms 81, 1897, par. 16–17

Safety lies not in trusting supposed human wisdom, self-confidence and unsanctified theories, which deceive others and damage spiritual understanding, but in becoming humble and willing to appear foolish for Christ's sake and in submitting to Christ.Lt 87, 1901, par. 3–8 Worldly guides who consider their course wise need to become fools by the world's standards to receive God's wisdom, for their evil tendencies lead people away from Jesus, while those who follow the true Shepherd recognize His voice.Ms 16, 1890, par. 53–54 Those who regard themselves as wise by worldly standards must give up that self-assurance and self-conceit to gain the true wisdom of Christ.Ms 30, 1896, par. 22+1 Worldly learning, worldly polish, attention to outward religious forms and etiquette, and criticism of a messenger's manner while dismissing God's warning cannot replace humility or genuine Christian courtesy.Ms 30, 1896, par. 22+1

Where the soul is filled with self-esteem, self-importance and human understanding there is no place for the Word to enter and no room in the vessel for heavenly grace, so there is no hunger and thirst after righteousness.20MR 179.3–180.1 Those who think themselves full of wisdom and knowledge look with pity and disgust on those earnestly seeking to know the way of the Lord more perfectly, and with all their knowledge neglect the one thing that would give entrance to the marriage supper of the Lamb, until they awake to find their lamps going out.20MR 179.3–180.1 When Christ's teachings are only dimly comprehended the whole life and character testifies to it, but they are seen in a far different aspect when the soul falls upon the Rock and is broken.20MR 179.3–180.1 Then one truth comprehended in simplicity proves a key to a whole treasure house of truth, for Christ is the great mystery of godliness scattering golden grains of truth that require tact, skill and deep laborious search to pick up and link in the chain of truth, and the Word as the treasure house puts in possession all things essential for preparation for entrance into the city of God.20MR 179.3–180.1