There is a difference between
knowledge and wisdom. It is possible to have knowledge without wisdom but it is
not possible to have wisdom without knowledge. A quick dictionary search shows
the major difference between the two. One definition of Knowledge is stated as, “facts,
information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education;
the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.” However, a
definition of wisdom is, “the soundness of an action or decision with regard to
the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.” The
difference being, knowledge is the obtaining of information and understanding
about a subject, whereas wisdom is the ability to apply that information in
action. In other words, one can have knowledge and do nothing with it but
wisdom is the ability to put that knowledge to use. Miles Kington explained this difference well when he said, "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad."
The Bible commands us to have
knowledge, but not knowledge alone. It must be put into action. After preaching
the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says it like this in Matthew 7:24, “whoever
hears these words of mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who
built his house on the rock.” On the other hand, he continues in verse 26, “everyone
who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish
man who built his house on the sand.” Everyone that heard the sermon had the
same knowledge, but the difference between wisdom and foolishness is how one
acts on that knowledge.
We can have a lot of biblical
knowledge, but it is meaningless if we are not living it out in our lives. The
bible speaks often of the need to be wise. Other than Jesus the bible speaks
about the need for wisdom by Paul, and by James and in the book of Proverbs. Paul says in
Ephesians 5:15-16, Be very
careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,16 making
the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
As we continue to grow in our
knowledge of God’s word through personal study, bible classes, sermons etc.,
let’s make sure we are not just storing it away in the filing cabinets of our minds.
Let us put it into practice with great wisdom!
Blessings,
Jeremy
