Knowledge and wisdom

Proverbs 1:1-6

Wisdom is not to be mistaken as knowledge. While one can have great knowledge, knowledge may not have any effect on their lives. Not so for wisdom. Being wise has to do not so much with what you know as compared to how your life is lived and empowered by what you know.

There are all kinds of knowledge. My son could go into a torrent of speeches and debates and arguments on the Stanley Cup and Ice hockey. But how does this knowledge enlighten or empower him in his life? Not much.

Acquiring new knowledge stimulates our mind. As humans, we should be learning new things and we are programmed to do so – nothing beats the exhilaration of finally understanding something. Therein lays the purpose of education – to grow our minds. But if education is just for that, then we have missed the greater purpose of knowledge acquisition.

A learned mind must result in responsible living, responsible to us and others. An informed life must result in a transformed life.

That is what King Solomon, famous for his wisdom, sees the connection between knowing and seeing. Wisdom and discipline goes together. If someone has lived well, it is because he is wise. If someone is wise, his life will not be reckless but all he does will be right, just and fair.

The book of Proverbs has been used by many missionaries as a textbook to teach English in countries hostile to Christianity. It is a timeless book with gems and instructions on practical living.

Proverbs 1:5
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance— “

But it will require attentive listening. Jesus often says, “Let those who have ears listen” – it will starts with the first action on our part – to listen.