In very simple terms there is the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. My concern should be the wisdom of God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7). I come to wisdom when I understand how God has acted in scriptures and how God thinks. Paul writing to the church in Corinth speaks about the “spirit of the world” and “the Spirit of God”. The question becomes how does the Spirit get me to know that what I have heard or read is indeed the truth? Either He must guide me and, thereby, I know the truth or else He expects me to use the Word of God in a right manner (2 Tim. 2:15).
If the Spirit of God guides me then whatever truth or conclusion that I reach is truth. The problem with such an assertion is that men cannot know the truth unless the Spirit does something to give them the truth. On the other hand if I handle the Word of God in the right way I can reach the right conclusions. What is the foundation or the means for such arrival at truth? Paul to Timothy says to study. I know then if I study and make proper application of revealed truth then I can know that what I have found is the truth.
Paul says concerning the wisdom of God that we have received that wisdom through the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal it (1 Cor. 2:10). As a result of the Spirit revealing the truth, we can KNOW the things that are freely given to us by God (verse 12). How did He reveal it to us? Paul states He revealed it in words (verse 13). How do I understand words in all areas of my existence? Why do you stop your car at a red light? Because you know what words mean? How can I know the truth then? Jesus said to those disciples who continued in His Word they would know the truth and be free (John 8:31,32). If the gospel is hid, it is hid to those who are lost (2 Cor. 4:3). Study, handle God’s Word in a right way, you will never leave the truth.