The Wisdom from Below and the Wisdom from Above
đź‘‘ RLM TV SPECIAL FORCES INTEL BRIEFING
Opening Intelligence
One of the greatest discoveries a believer can make at the level of Sod ha-Sod is this: not all wisdom originates from the same source.
The Bible unveils two entirely different wisdom systems operating within humanity and throughout the unseen realms — two trees, two kingdoms, two modes of perception.
- One descends from above — the wisdom of the Throne and the Tree of Life
- One rises from below — the wisdom of the serpent and the Tree of Knowledge
One originates from the Spirit of God. The other originates from the fallen nature of man (Sitra Achra). One produces life and Edenic restoration. The other produces death and Babylonian exile. One establishes the Kingdom of Heaven within. The other perpetuates the systems of this age.
The great conflict of Scripture is not merely between good and evil in outward actions. It is a war between two wisdoms — two ways of seeing, two ways of thinking, and two ways of interpreting reality itself. For every kingdom is built upon its governing wisdom, and every wisdom creates a kingdom after its own image.
The First Wisdom
The first appearance of false wisdom manifests in Eden. The serpent did not tempt humanity with obvious evil — he offered independent wisdom.
The forbidden tree was called the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The temptation was never raw wickedness. The temptation was self-derived understanding apart from union with God. The promise was clear: “You shall be as gods.”
At the Sod level, this is the root of all Babylon: the fallen mind seeking to know apart from dependence, to understand apart from communion, to reach conclusions apart from participation in the divine nature. This wisdom appears reasonable, intelligent, and even deeply religious. Yet its root is separation from God. Its source is independence. Its fuel is self. Its throne is the fallen mind of Adam.
This wisdom strengthens the serpent nature (Ayin Hara) and keeps the soul locked outside the inner sanctuary.
The Wisdom of Babylon
Babylon is not merely a historical city or empire. Babylon is a wisdom system — the perpetual attempt to build reality, towers, and governments apart from direct dependence upon God.
The Tower of Babel was a monument to this wisdom: humanity united around a common intelligence, a common vision, a common ambition, and a common self-derived understanding. The tower was not primarily architecture — it was a declaration: “We will ascend by our own understanding.”
- Babylon seeks ascension through human ability.
- Zion seeks ascension through divine impartation.
- Babylon trusts intellect and systems.
- Zion trusts revelation and the Spirit.
- Babylon trusts self.
- Zion trusts Christ enthroned within.
This ancient conflict between Babylon and Zion continues to this very day, raging within every heart and every institution.
Earthly, Sensual, and Demonic Wisdom
James gives one of the most sobering descriptions in Scripture:
“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish.” (James 3:15)
This wisdom is not merely mistaken — it is rooted in an entirely different kingdom. Earthly wisdom draws conclusions from visible, natural realities. Sensual wisdom is driven by emotions and carnal perceptions. Demonic wisdom flows from the spirit of independence that first rebelled in heaven.
All three operate on the same poisonous principle: life interpreted apart from union with God. The fruit is inevitable — confusion, fear, striving, competition, self-promotion, pride, division, anxiety, and control. The fruit always reveals the root.
The Wisdom from Above
In stunning contrast, James describes the wisdom that descends from above. This wisdom does not originate in fallen humanity. It is imparted by the Holy Spirit. It flows from communion. It arises through union. It is received, discovered, and imparted — never manufactured or achieved.
This wisdom is:
- First pure
- Then peaceable
- Gentle
- Merciful
- Full of good fruit
- Without partiality
- Without hypocrisy
Its source determines its nature. Because God is peace, His wisdom produces peace. Because God is love, His wisdom produces love. Because God is life, His wisdom produces the very River of Life. The wisdom of Heaven carries the nature of Heaven within itself.
The Mind of Christ
The New Covenant is not merely the forgiveness of sins. It is the impartation of an entirely new wisdom — the very Mind of Christ.
Paul declares:
“We have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)
At the Sod ha-Sod level, the goal of redemption is not moral improvement or accumulated knowledge. It is full participation in divine understanding. The believer gradually learns to think from union rather than separation, to perceive from Christ rather than the fallen self, to discern through revelation rather than mere observation.
This is the gradual crucifixion of the serpent nature and the formation of the divine nature within. The mature believer becomes increasingly God-conscious rather than self-conscious, Spirit-led rather than circumstance-led, governed by revelation rather than reaction.
The Bright Morning Star and True Wisdom
The rising of the Bright Morning Star within the heart is simultaneously the rising of divine wisdom. As Christ increases within the believer, a new mode of perception is born — the eyes of the heart now see through the lens of the indwelling Throne.
Situations once ruled by fear become ruled by peace. Circumstances once ruled by anxiety become ruled by trust. Trials once ruled by self-preservation become ruled by sonship and Overcomer authority.
The believer ceases drawing conclusions from outward appearances. Instead, he sees through the eyes of Christ — the very perception of God Himself. This is not mere information, theology, or doctrine. This is participation in the wisdom of the Godhead.
The Great Exchange
The entire Christian journey can be understood as one great exchange at the deepest PaRDeS level:
- The wisdom of self for the wisdom of Christ
- The wisdom of Babylon for the wisdom of Zion
- The wisdom of observation for the wisdom of participation
- The wisdom of independence for the wisdom of union
- The wisdom of the Tree of Knowledge for the wisdom of the Tree of Life
As wisdom changes, perception changes. As perception changes, government changes. As government changes, life itself is transformed into the image of the Son. The Kingdom expands with unstoppable force wherever the wisdom from above gains dominion within the inner man.
Final Intelligence
The war between Babylon and Zion is ultimately a war between two wisdoms.
One says: “Trust yourself.” The other says: “Abide in Christ.”
One says: “Figure it out.” The other says: “Receive from above.”
One seeks life through knowledge. The other receives life through union.
One builds towers. The other grows rivers.
One exalts self. The other reveals Christ enthroned.
The believer who learns to abandon the wisdom from below and continually receive the wisdom from above begins to walk in the true government of Heaven within — spirit, soul, and body.
For the Kingdom is not established through greater human intelligence. The Kingdom is established through the continual impartation of divine wisdom flowing from the Spirit of God, releasing the River of Life and the fragrance of Eden restored.
Mission Objective
Reject the wisdom of independence. Abandon the wisdom of self-reliance. Crucify the serpent nature of the fallen mind. Drink deeply from the River of Life flowing from the inner Throne.
Receive the wisdom that descends from above — the very Mind of Christ being formed within His people.
For the Kingdom advances irresistibly wherever the wisdom from above governs the hearts of the Joel’s Army Overcomers.
With Love in Christ,
Apostle Brandon Barthrop
