The wisdom which God gives will lead men to self-examination. The truth will convict them of their errors and existing wrongs. The heart must be open to see, realize, and acknowledge these wrongs, and then, through the help of Jesus, each must earnestly engage in the work of overcoming them. The knowledge gained by the wise of the world, however diligent they may be in acquiring it, is, after all, limited and comparatively inferior. But few comprehend the ways and works of God in the mysteries of His providence. They advance a few steps, and then are unable to touch bottom or shore. It is the superficial thinker who deems himself wise. Men of solid worth, of high attainments, are the most ready to admit the weakness of their own understanding. God wants everyone who claims to be His disciple to be a learner, to be more inclined to learn than to teach. {4T 361.1}

Den visdom som Gud giver, vil lede mennesket til selvransagelse. Sandheden vil overbevise dem om deres fejl og eksisterende forurettelser. Hjertet må åbnes til at se, erkende og anerkende disse fejl og da, ved Jesu hjælp, må enhver involvere sig alvorligt i at overvinde dem. Kundskaben fra verdens vise, uanset hvor flittige de kan være for at få den, er, i sidste ende, begrænset og forholdsvis ringe. Men få forstår Guds veje og gerninger i hans forsyns mysterier. De går nogle få skridt frem og så kan de ikke berøre bunden eller vandkanten. Det er den overfladiske tænker som anser sig selv for at være klog. Mennesker af solid værdi, af store færdigheder, er de hurtigste til at indrømme deres egen forståelses svaghed. Gud ønsker at enhver, der hævder at være hans disciple, skal være elev, være mere tilbøjelig til at lære end at undervise.