Where does wisdom come from? So many people will tell you that wisdom comes with age and experience. If that were true, then why do so many older people make choices that seem both unintelligent and unwise yet younger people can make choices as though they have live a thousand years. There has to be another answer.
That answer is God. God and He alone provides wisdom.
People also confuse understanding and knowledge with wisdom. These are very different:
- Knowledge is the facts and the ability to remember these facts; Scholars
- Understanding is being able to pull the information from the facts; Teachers
- Wisdom is knowing what to do next; Prophets
God rarely gives all three gifts to any one person. So many people may have knowledge or understanding, but what they need most is wisdom. That is true for each and everyone of us. Think if everyone knew what to do next irregardless of their ability to remember the facts of pull the meaning from those facts how much different this world would be.
People would realize that the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ. People would not break God’s laws, We may not be as advanced with technology as we are, but I am not sure that is a bad thing.
If there is one think you want to seek from the Lord, I urge you to seek wisdom.
James 1:5 New International Version (NIV)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
You may be wondering why would God give wisdom so freely, but possibly hold back knowledge or understanding. The answer is rather simple. With wisdom, you will know what to do and that will lead you to God, but if all you had were knowledge and understanding, then it could potentially lead you away from the Lord. Look at those individuals in today’s world that we consider to be the smartest people, most are atheist. That was not always the case, but as we draw closer to the end times, things will change. These people are just to smart for their own good.
I would love to have all three abilities, but if there is only one that I could have, then I would want wisdom above all else. Lord, help us to humble ourselves so that each one of us will seek the gift that is most beneficial to you and mankind and that is wisdom.