1st Corinthians 3:18
"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise."
This is definitely a paradox! (a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.) Oxford Dictionary
Paul went through the same process when he was first converted!
Philippians 3:5-8
"circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ"
Paul indeed became a fool (a person lacking in judgment or prudence) Merriam Webster. And he became one of the wisest and spiritually strong men in the first century! God used him mightily after he was humbled by his spiritual encounters with Jesus, the thorn in his flesh, and being taught by the Spirit God in the desert.
Galatians 6:3
"For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself."
So many paradoxes and humbling scriptures in the bible to help those who truly want to be followers of Christ understand what they must do in order to walk blameless in the sight of God. It doesn't matter your age or how many degree's or certificate's you may have. It doesn't matter what men may call you, or even if you pastor a big congregation of people, you can still be spiritually immature, disobedient, and deceived in your understanding of the scriptures!
It takes true humility and a emptying of self to really grow and become wise in the sight of God and His people. You have to count all that you learned in the world and the religious system, garbage, in order to learn the true wisdom of God that can change your eternity and anyone else's God uses you to serve.
You gotta let it all go NEO! Don't think you know everything there is to know about God, Jesus, the scriptures, life, or anything else, and don't consider yourself more highly than you ought!
Let all those who call upon the name of Jesus become fools for Him that we may become wise men and women of God!
In Jesus Name,
Tyrone
