Lately, it seems the subject of "Wisdom vs. Knowledge" has been coming up over and over in my life. Michaelene and the kids do a video every week as a devotional for kids, and the last 3 videos have been about Solomon who, when asked by God for anything he desired, asked for wisdom. We spoke last Sunday at church about seeking God's wisdom vs. following worldly wisdom and habits. Lately, in people I've been talking to, the conversation comes up to wise and godly living. But what IS wisdom, exactly?
Some people define wisdom as knowing how to handle situations we come up with, some as using your knowledge in a meaningful way, but the Bible says all wisdom begins here: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:10
Wisdom begins with fearing the Lord. We fear the Lord when we recognize His absolute rule over our lives, and seek to live according to His ways. We fear the Lord when we come before Him in awe and wonder, knowing that, with a word, He created all things, and some day He shall judge the living and the dead with Righteous judgement. We fear the Lord when we remove our opinions and seek His will above our own "rights."
Knowing about God, knowing Scripture and even applying it to our lives is mere knowledge. Finding out what God wants and the practical applications to how we live is just using knowledge. But doing everything for the Glory of God, knowing that He, the author of it all and creator of this world, set the boundaries in all things, and He alone is the righteous judge, that He, and not we, deserve all honor, glory and praise is where we begin to be wise. A world in rebellion will never understand that. A world that lives for itself seeks to grow in knowing things, and power. But those who belong to God seek to please Him in all things, and so seek to do things His way. That is the biggest difference in wisdom and knowledge: who you seek in your quest for growth. Are you seeking God's glory, or your own happiness? Proverbs 9:1-12 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
