The Deception of Mr. Worldly Wiseman

Perhaps we all at one time or another have heard a sales pitch that sounded appealing but
in reality, was not all that it measured up to be. That is the case with Christian and Mr. Worldly
Wiseman. Mr. Worldly Wiseman establishes authority in the situation by stating, “Hear me, since I
am older than you” (Bunyan 20). That is often the cry of those who aren’t committed to truth.
Notice, there is no emphasis on logic, evidence, reason, and especially no emphasis on the truth! He
doesn’t say it’s because I’m accurate, because it’s the best decision, or because it’s most consistent
with God’s Word but rather, because of his age that he should be credibly taken advice from.
Discernment should tell Christian that something isn’t right with such a statement. Wiseman
continues his sales pitch by wanting Christian to go down the path of worldly wisdom by sharing
how difficult the path Evangelist recommends when he states, “You are likely to meet with pain,
poverty, hunger, perils, dangers, lions, dragons, and even death, and you are sure to be weary and
lonesome much of the time, trudging your way in darkness” (Bunyan 21). This is Mr. Worldly
Wiseman’s plea to NOT follow the Christian path. In other words, do not be a Christian pilgrim so
that you can avoid all of the trials that come with being a follower of Christ. That is the message of
sir Worldly Wiseman. In other words, take the easy route. Take the path that is broad that leads to
destruction. If only Christian knew that was in reality what Worldly Wiseman was stating. Like a
joke not understood, the deception goes right over the head of the young pilgrim.

Worldly Wiseman wasn’t done with his pitch. He has quite the appeal of convincing
Christian to go down the path of the world by stating, “I can direct you (if you have patience to hear
me) into the way of obtaining what you desire, without your becoming exposed to these dangers
and trials you will find in the road you are on” (Bunyan 22). Notice that the deceiver turns the table
and puts the pressure on the young pilgrim by saying that it has to do with the patience of Christian.
Whether Christian really grasps the wisdom or not is based on his patience. In other words, “If you
don’t listen to me, it’s not because my words or message is flawed, it’s because YOU are impatient.”
This is a deceptive scheme from one of the world’s best salesman. The only problem? He’s a
salesman for heresy. He’s selling a false gospel. He’s selling a man-centered theology. He’s directing
Christian to a works based salvation (which is always a false gospel – see Ephesians 2:8-9) rather
than a gospel of grace. He’s pointing Christian to himself and the world rather than the only one
who can save his soul. Worldly continues with the condemning and damning sales pitch when he
adds, “Yes, relief is at hand. Besides, I will add, instead of perils and suffering, you shall find much
safety, friendships, and contentment” (Bunyan 21). Worldly Wiseman speaks of what the world
desires most. Popularity, happiness, and a safe life. Does this not echo the words of the false
teachers of our day? Making guarantees that are not mentioned in scripture and ensuring promises
that are empty and futile. As part of his sales pitch, he speaks of what the world desires most.
Christian, in this vulnerable moment, cannot resist this message. He gives in. The only problem?
When he takes that advice from the wisdom of this world, “His burden seemed heavier now than
before” (Bunyan 22). If Worldly Wiseman guaranteed Christian popularity, abundance of friendships,
and protection, why is Christian’s burden even worse than before? The reason is because the
wisdom of this world took him to the path of the law or in this allegorical tale, Mt. Sinai. Mt Sinai
being the location where Moses was provided the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. So in other
words, by the recommendation of the wisdom of the world, Christian is trying to enter into Heaven
through the keeping of the commandments. No wonder his burden grows to an even greater
extent! Why does it grow greater rather than diminish according to the promise of Worldly
Wiseman? He starts going through the commandments and realizes how drastically he falls short.
Even when he gets to the commandment that “thou shall not murder” perhaps he realizes that
Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount says if you hate your brother or have unrighteous anger you’ve
committed murder in your heart. He gets to the commandment that “thou shall not commit
adultery” and perhaps initially he thinks he has kept it. While Christian hasn’t been unfaithful to
Christiana, Jesus says that whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with
her in his heart. The commandments tell Christian that without fail he should have never taken
anything that was his, never commit blasphemy, and never at one point tell a lie. And because he
falls dreadfully short, his burden is now even bigger. He forsook the words of the Evangelist and
therefore forsook the words of scripture. It led him down a dangerous path and has left him with a
weighted burden too big for his back, a load he can no longer carry himself.

It will take discernment by the grace of God and perhaps a re-meeting of Evangelist to get
him back on the right track and lead him to the true way of salvation. We as believers know this
only way to be none other than the way, the truth, the life, Jesus Christ. Christ and Him crucified is
the only way for us to remove the burden from our back. May we repent of sin and look to the
message of the cross by believing and trusting in Christ’s finished work. Not trusting in anything in
and of ourselves or others.

Still in the context of worldly wisdom based on the sneaky work of Mr. Worldly Wiseman,
we should look no other place than scripture. In speaking of a religion that is pure and undefiled,
James says to “keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27 ESV). How Christian would have
done well to keep his distance and hold fast to the words of Evangelist. Little did Christian know
that he was trusting in man rather than in God. The apostle Paul to the Corinthian church who
were trusting in men rather than in God and were following the various pastors who baptized them
instead of having their aim and focus on Christ says, “  For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.
For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts
of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul
or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are
yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's” (1 Corinthians 3:19-23 ESV). Will we, like Christian,
be deceived by the wisdom of this world? Will we consider worldly words contrary to scripture
more near and dear to our hearts than that of what God has given us through His Word? What a
vital trap to avoid. Despite the deceptive words of Mr. Worldly Wiseman, the wisdom of this world
is folly with God. We have nothing to boast of whether it be in ourselves or in others.
Consequently, may we have sound discernment and compare what people are saying in the name
of God to God’s Word itself (see the Berean’s example in Acts 17:11). May we cling to the wisdom
of God as if our life and souls depend on it (they do) rather than the wisdom of this world.

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