Knowledge and Wisdom
They Psalms is a good book to read when you aren’t sure what to read; I agree, but I’ll tell you what, the book of Proverbs is what really gets me going. I love this book.
I think a big thing people talk about today is the difference between knowledge and wisdom, and it seems to me that most people think they’ve got a lot of wisdom. I always think of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, when Dexter Jettster says, “I should think you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and wisdom.”
Everybody knows that there is a clear difference, and everyone thinks they have so much wisdom. But I’m not convinced. We are in the information age, and knowledge is everywhere. Human society is moving forward in a direction people couldn’t have even dreamed of 50 years ago; yet there is definitely a lack of wisdom.
The benefits of wisdom are listed all throughout Proverbs, but some key ones are that:
-We will be saved from wicked men, crooked paths and perverse ways (2:12, 15)
-It will prolong life and bring prosperity (3:2, 8, 10, 16, 18; 4:10; 8:18, 35)
-We will be safe and unafraid (3:23, 24; 4:12)
-We will inherit honor (3:35; 4:8)
-We will have counsel and sound judgment (8:14)
-We will have favor with God and men (3:4; 8:35)
Proverbs 3:7 says not to be wise in your own eyes, but to instead fear the Lord. Proverbs 2:1-8 shows us how to fear the Lord, which will in turn grant us wisdom. These verses say we must:
-Accept and store up these commands
-Make both our ears and hearts ready to understand
-Specifically ask for insight and understanding
-Look for it as hidden treasure
Not only should we have an open mind to accept wisdom, but we also need to ask for it from God! We need to view it as hidden treasure, something that most people don’t have and is of great value. Proverbs 3:14-15 describes how wisdom is more profitable than silver and gold, more precious than rubies. Nothing we desire can compare with the value of wisdom.
Well, how can we know if we are being wise in our own eyes or if God has given us wisdom? James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” We can test wisdom based on these qualities; if it does not measure up to these things, it is probably not from God.
So what do I mean by all of this? Yes, there is a clear difference between knowledge and wisdom. If we want to stand out, if we want to make any sort of difference, then we need wisdom from above. We need to understand the fear of the Lord by storing up God’s commands, making our ears and hearts ready, and actively ask and seek wisdom as though it is hidden treasure.
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
I think a big thing people talk about today is the difference between knowledge and wisdom, and it seems to me that most people think they’ve got a lot of wisdom. I always think of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, when Dexter Jettster says, “I should think you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and wisdom.”
Everybody knows that there is a clear difference, and everyone thinks they have so much wisdom. But I’m not convinced. We are in the information age, and knowledge is everywhere. Human society is moving forward in a direction people couldn’t have even dreamed of 50 years ago; yet there is definitely a lack of wisdom.
The benefits of wisdom are listed all throughout Proverbs, but some key ones are that:
-We will be saved from wicked men, crooked paths and perverse ways (2:12, 15)
-It will prolong life and bring prosperity (3:2, 8, 10, 16, 18; 4:10; 8:18, 35)
-We will be safe and unafraid (3:23, 24; 4:12)
-We will inherit honor (3:35; 4:8)
-We will have counsel and sound judgment (8:14)
-We will have favor with God and men (3:4; 8:35)
Proverbs 3:7 says not to be wise in your own eyes, but to instead fear the Lord. Proverbs 2:1-8 shows us how to fear the Lord, which will in turn grant us wisdom. These verses say we must:
-Accept and store up these commands
-Make both our ears and hearts ready to understand
-Specifically ask for insight and understanding
-Look for it as hidden treasure
Not only should we have an open mind to accept wisdom, but we also need to ask for it from God! We need to view it as hidden treasure, something that most people don’t have and is of great value. Proverbs 3:14-15 describes how wisdom is more profitable than silver and gold, more precious than rubies. Nothing we desire can compare with the value of wisdom.
Well, how can we know if we are being wise in our own eyes or if God has given us wisdom? James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” We can test wisdom based on these qualities; if it does not measure up to these things, it is probably not from God.
So what do I mean by all of this? Yes, there is a clear difference between knowledge and wisdom. If we want to stand out, if we want to make any sort of difference, then we need wisdom from above. We need to understand the fear of the Lord by storing up God’s commands, making our ears and hearts ready, and actively ask and seek wisdom as though it is hidden treasure.
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
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