Did you know it’s possible to have extensive knowledge and still not be wise? Often knowledge and wisdom are mistaken for synonymous, but it’s common in our culture to have one without the other. So why is wisdom important? And how can we know if we are being wise or foolish? Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about wisdom and how we can gain more of it in our lives.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized wisdom is not really a function of education. There are brilliant people who are unable to live well and function in what they know. These people have knowledge but not wisdom.
Wisdom has the power to transform those who apprehend it. It can be defined as the intimate embrace of truth, when truth merges with our being and begins to drive and direct our actions.
The book of Proverbs instructs us:
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister”… Proverbs 7:4 NIV
The apprehension of wisdom may be simpler than you think! It is available to everyone. I believe there is one major difference between one who is wise and one who is foolish. Do you want to know what it is?
Knowing when to let go—and when to hold on.
That’s it. Wisdom is always found in this dynamic of exchange. Wise individuals know what to hold fast to and what to release. Those who are foolish hold fast to what will kill them and release what would bring them life.
For example, someone who is wise will let go of bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, fear, and the past. They hold on to the promises of God. Foolish people hold on to the disappointments as they fight to prove themselves right. The wise know how to win without starting a battle.
So how do we connect with wisdom so we can make these divine exchanges? The following scriptures show us where to begin:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. Psalm 111:10 NIV
The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding. Job 28:28 NLT
Wisdom is intimately tied to our fear of the Lord. To fear the Lord is to love what He loves (wisdom and justice) and hate what He hates (foolishness and evil). Perhaps you have never invited God to impart His holy fear into your life. This is key, because without holy fear, wisdom cannot even have a beginning.
If you want to have more of God’s wisdom in your life, but have not asked to grow in holy fear, I encourage you to do so right now. Our heavenly Father stores up wisdom, waiting for us to ask it of Him. When we present our foolishness and lack of answers, He responds with His insight, direction, and counsel. What a beautiful thing!
I encourage you to invite God’s holy fear to enter your life on a new level. Be mindful of any exchanges you need to make in order to live wisely. Let’s not settle at the level of knowledge when the depths of wisdom are available to us!
