There exists a pervasive influence known as the wisdom of men, which shapes the way people think about critical aspects of life such as ethics, morals, marriage, economics, and justice. This wisdom, as contrasted with the wisdom of God, does not originate from Him, regardless of the outward appearances or societal respect given to those who espouse it. It is a wisdom that, when taken to extremes, has led to violent opposition against God, even to the point of putting Him to death, or to scornful rejection of His ways as foolishness. This wisdom of men affects everyone to varying degrees, leaving no one untouched by its impact. Even among those who are converted, it can dominate thoughts and actions without their awareness. It appeals to human nature rather than divine nature, appearing logical and applicable, yet it is rooted in the world and influenced by satan the devil, not in God. The danger lies in its ability to produce a faith or belief that is not aligned with God's truth, leading to actions that sow discord and division. The wisdom of men manifests in various forms, including teachings from academia, economics, and even disciplines like psychology and psychiatry, which are materialistic and humanistic at their core. These fields, often accepted as normal guides to life, deny the spiritual reality and focus solely on human nature and interests, excluding any relationship with God. Such teachings infiltrate education and religion, subtly replacing true spiritual understanding with corrupt ideas that cannot produce good fruit, as they are flawed from their roots. False prophets, not limited to religious figures but appearing in various professional garbs, propagate this wisdom, sometimes referencing God in their messages. Yet, their influence does not necessarily involve Him, and any good that comes through them is for His own purposes, not to validate their teachings. The susceptibility to these false messages reveals the carnality within, leading to division and strife, as seen in the scattered state of God's church. The battle against the wisdom of men requires vigilance, as it is a pervasive force that has already shaped many through education and societal influences. Resisting this wisdom is essential, recognizing that only the message originating from God, delivered through Christ and those He sent forth, produces the faith that saves. One must be cautious not to willingly expose oneself to deceptive teachings, for human strength alone cannot overcome satan; only through resistance and reliance on Christ can one stand firm against such influences.

There is a stark contrast between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man, as highlighted in the scriptures. The wisdom of God is revealed through His Spirit, guiding us in character, morals, spirituality, and ethics to develop His image within us. In contrast, the wisdom of man, originating from human intellect and the world, opposes the message of the Gospel. This worldly wisdom, active in the minds of believers, has been a source of division and carnal thinking, leading to spiritual slumber and a Laodicean attitude among the faithful. The wisdom of man is not limited to false concepts of Christ's death but is multifaceted and impacts daily life, influencing views on life's purpose, conduct, ethics, morality, spirituality, and attitudes toward behaviors such as guilt, forgiveness, responsibility, character, love, and sin. It is a pervasive force that subtly erodes the distinctiveness of doctrine, vision, worldview, conduct, character, and attitude among believers, often without their awareness. Historically, figures like Frederick Taylor, Charles Darwin, and Sigmund Freud have significantly shaped the modern world through this worldly wisdom. Taylor's impact on scientific management has been immense, though largely positive in economic terms. However, Darwin's evolutionary theories and Freud's materialistic, humanistic psychology have had profoundly negative effects, destroying faith in God and spawning spiritual evils in education and religion. Their influence, often appearing as an angel of light, has introduced subtle, cancerous evils that challenge a relationship with God.

Human discernment, though limited to the physical realm, can be cultivated through effort. Like a skill, it can be taught, practiced, and developed, enabling one to gain insight into character or events beyond mere facts. Wisdom, as an element of personal character, allows one to distinguish the wise from the unwise, while discernment is the ability to make wise judgments. Those who lack discernment are often considered foolish, failing to heed advice or consider the consequences of their actions. Examples like Lot demonstrate this deficiency, as he relied on human reasoning rather than wise counsel, leading to disastrous choices in settling near wickedness and hesitating in critical moments. Similarly, self-confident, quick-tempered, or lawbreaking individuals often lack the discernment needed to navigate life wisely. Human discernment requires active listening and observation, going beyond surface words to understand underlying emotions through tone and pace. A judgmental tone may suggest self-righteousness, while laughter can reveal honesty or discord. Noticing the manipulation of words or what is left unsaid is crucial, as is interpreting body language with caution, avoiding hasty conclusions. Historical figures like Solomon exemplify human discernment through qualities such as penetration, discrimination, perception, and insight, as seen in his judgment over the disputed child. His ability to penetrate meaning, distinguish truth, perceive emotions, and show insightful sympathy highlights the depth of discernment achievable through human effort. However, human discernment alone is insufficient for spiritual matters. Without divine guidance, individuals remain vulnerable to deception, often preferring lies over truth. Many fail to love truth even when they acknowledge it, living lives shaped by falsehoods. This susceptibility to deceit underscores the limitations of human wisdom, as it cannot fully grasp or apply spiritual truths without a deeper, God-given understanding.