Knowledge vs. Wisdom

I have a unique ability to hold useless knowledge in my head, mostly in movies and 80s music. But I also spent much of my youth reading, studying, and memorizing the Bible.  

Once, in junior high, we had a Bible trivia contest at my small Christian school. No one stood a chance.  They finally had to ask me to stop standing up to answer the questions.  

I knew the Bible inside and out. 

But I didn't really understand it.  

I could quote a Bible verse for just about every situation I encountered, but I didn't know anything about the context, the deeper meaning, or how to apply what I was quoting to my own spiritual journey.  

In our journey through life, we often gather knowledge—facts, data, and information that seem important. 

For instance, "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit." This statement encapsulates a simple fact, yet it stands starkly apart from the practice of wisdom, which is highlighted in the continuation, "Wisdom knows not to put it in a fruit salad." 

I can't tell you how much I love that analogy.  Not only does it make me laugh, but it invites me to think more deeply about my own thoughts and actions and to strive to incorporate wisdom into both.  

Wisdom is not just about accumulating knowledge; it is about understanding context, applying knowledge effectively, and making choices that reflect deeper insight.

John O'Donohue, in his thought-provoking book Walking In Wonder, beautifully reflects on the nature of wisdom: “Wisdom is a gateway to deeper insight. It allows you to see the hidden dimensions of things.” 

This suggests that wisdom invites us to look beyond surface-level knowledge and explore the meaning behind our experiences and choices.

The wisdom literature of the Bible echoes this importance. Proverbs 3:13-18 states, "Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding... She is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold." 

Here, we see that wisdom is not just valuable; it's an essential asset on our spiritual journey, guiding our decisions and aligning them with God's purpose.

As we navigate our daily lives, it is vital to discern between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge fills our minds, but wisdom shapes our hearts and actions. 

May we strive to seek not just information but the discernment to apply it rightly. As we immerse ourselves in God's word and seek His wisdom, may we become individuals who know and act in ways that reflect His unconditional love and divine purpose.

In this pursuit, may we live more wisely, allowing God's guidance to illuminate our paths as we endeavor to apply our knowledge with the richness of understanding. 

Let us all seek to differentiate between what we know and how we live, ensuring our choices reflect wisdom rooted in God’s truth.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.