Wouldn’t it be great if we could gain all wisdom on everything in an instant? However, I think this will never be the case, as it would overload our brains to work out all the applications to the information that we have just had downloaded!
This is why wisdom can be compared to an “app” on your computer or smart phone. All the information is easily accessed. Wisdom compiles all the facts and information (knowledge), gains the relevance and meaning of them (understanding), and finally wisdom has the ability to turn what it has gathered into practical, simplified apps that are easier to apply to one’s life situations.
The boxes below shows how the three differ one from another:
Wisdom Defined
In simple terms, biblical wisdom is the capacity to understand life and how to implement ideas based on God’s perspective. Or put another way, “wisdom is the appropriate application of knowledge.” It is clear in the Word that wisdom is an invaluable virtue that is priceless, rare, immeasurable and too deep to fathom on our own. It’s like saying Jesus is our Savior, which is true, but the depth of what it means that He is our Savior is completely immeasurable too!
All throughout Scripture, in both the Old and New Testament, the Word encourages us to “get wisdom.” Proverbs 4:5 is just one of these verses: “Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth” (AMP version).
There are a number of other verses that echo this that we will get into later.
How to Gain Wisdom
Gaining wisdom can be a challenging process, but if we understand the biblical instructions for how to obtain it, then hopefully we can find many blessings on the journey to becoming full of wisdom. Even the wisest man in the Old Testament, King Solomon said it could be difficult at times! LOL
Ecclesiastes 7:23-24 (NIV) – All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise” – but this was beyond me. Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it?
Wisdom is something that we have to be able to recognize and then learn to desire; like God’s grace, it is a gift that God freely offers and our role is to ask and receive. Unfortunately, most people don’t even bother to ask, and therefore, don’t receive.
TRUE WISDOM IS A GIFT LIKE GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND GRACE, BUT IT IS ALIEN TO THE NATURAL, WORDLY PERSON.
Wisdom is Beneficial to Us and Others
God gives us wisdom so that we can make the best practical use of His godly nature and characteristics in our lives, as well as to be able to have a better knowledge of Him. The fear of God, understanding, discernment, justice, prudence, love, joy, peace, patience (etc.) built into our new born-again natures are given to us to develop skills that help us align with God’s purpose. Through godly wisdom we also demonstrate to others who He is. This allows us to be problem solvers and wise counsel for the ones around us in our families, workplace, and in our churches. Most importantly, true wisdom is given to us to bring greater glory to the One who gave it to us in the first place!
Something to Think Upon
The Bible portrays wisdom as a woman who shouts and even cries out to pedestrians and walkers-by who seem to be too busy to even stop, pause, or ask what it is she offering. Ironically, people are offended by her as she offers her priceless treasure. They just push her to one side and ignore her as they are late for their next meeting or lunch date! Her sweet precious voice is completely drowned out by the frantic noises of self-indulgence, pride, arrogance and self-worth trying to focus on the latest money-making plans and schemes for the future.
Please remember reader, the Bible pleads with us that we need to take heed and take time to seek wisdom above all else!
Proverbs 1:20-22 (AMP) – Wisdom shouts in the street, She raises her voice in the markets; She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather]; At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words: “How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning? How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing, How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?
In these verses, Proverbs 1 portrays quite a wakeup call. In my next blog post on wisdom, there are a number of practical areas that I would like to expound on to that will help us gain God’s wisdom in greater measure. I hope today you have a fuller picture of what wisdom is compared to knowledge and understanding and the importance of what the Bible says wisdom is. Until next time…