Uncomfy Studies: Introduction

Some Final Warnings

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes with 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, demonic. 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 reap a harvest of righteousness.”
(James 3:13-18)

Do not obtain wisdom for personal gain or out of ill intentions, such as revenge or pride. These actually poison the search for truth lots of times by adding biases, which leads to misunderstanding within yourself and with others. Do not deny a truth just because it does not line up with your desired outcome, nor twist it to fit into that agenda. Keep in mind the list in this verse about what true wisdom- Godly wisdom- entails.

“I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
I said to myself, ‘Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.’ Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18)

No amount of studying, reading, or any other attainment of knowledge will ever offer a full solution to everything wrong in the world. I study Sociology… where I learn about the brokenness out there, the corruption of the world. I do this to know and understand it all, with the underlying belief of this: the brokenness in the world cannot be fixed… it is evidence that mankind is broken and searching for God in every place that He is not. It hurts, it is sad… there is grief in that. So be prepared for that as you read through this series. And turn to God with those reactions.

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” (Colossians 2:2-4)

Going back to my list at the beginning…. There’s a multilayered goal to this series. But at the root of it is my calling to you, my Church family: to build you up, encourage you, and comfort you. There is so much noise in the world, clambering for us to pick a side and make the right choice. I have talked with fellow believers at college who are confused, discouraged, and stressed because they just… don’t know where to start in making the right Biblical choices in these debates we are all caught up in daily. I want this series to be a starting point for providing Scripture to help clear that confusion and help a choice be made if it is needed to reduce stress, and offer encouragement. That is my goal.