18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-20

None of us like to be called foolish. Occasionally we’ll do foolish things (and we may even acknowledge that) but it’s different than being called a fool.

Yet Paul told us here that we should be fools in order to become wise. What does that mean exactly? Well, he explained it in the next verses.

What the world thinks is wise is not. Often the terms “conventional wisdom” or “the prevailing wisdom” is thrown around. It’s what the majority of people along a certain particular belief system believe. Conventional wisdom is often based on consensus or what the masses think about a topic.

So how does all of that relate to the text? When the conventional wisdom says “he who dies with the most toys wins” but Godly wisdom says, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

Conventional wisdom says you need to be beautiful and thin to be successful. Godly wisdom says Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:30-31

Take any issue the world deems conventional wisdom and there will be a direct correlation in the Scriptures that is opposite to what the world thinks.