Wisdom

What is wisdom?

Proverbs 20:5 "Wisdom in the heart of man is like deep waters, but a person of understanding draws it out."

Webster defines wisdom as:

1. Insight

2. Good sense

3. Wise attitude, belief, or course of action

4 Teachings of the ancient wise men.

We learn something every day. Whether it be a new scent, a new person, or a new taste, we learn something every day. Is there a difference between knowledge and wisdom? Some people think that those who have college degrees are wise. Is that true? Is it possible to be knowledgeable and not be wise?

Francsis Baker said: A prudent question is half of wisdom.

I agree. If you're taught to look both ways before you cross the street to check for cars, do you check both ways and step out in front of the car? The knowledge is "a car will hit you and you will be dead" (the words of my 5 year old.) The wisdom? Taking that knowledge and putting it to use. The car is coming, I need to stand here until it passes. You stand there until it passes. So, using that example, one can be knowledgeable but unwise.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said:

To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom.

Who was this man you ask? He was a German Lutheran pastor, and a theologian. He participated in the German Resistance movement against Hitler. He was executed in 1945 for being part of the resistance. He attended Tübingen University, then to the University of Berlin, then to the Centre of Liberal Theology. It's safe to say he was knowledgeable. Was he wise? I believe so, he had courage and stood up for what he felt was right. At the time it was stopping Hitler. He died for his cause as did many before and many after him. A true hero.

Baltasar Gracian said: Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.

My thoughts? It's great to learn, I encourage it. Make a conscience effort to read 1 new book a month. But, make sure that you put this knowledge to use. Only when you have learned from your life mistakes and used that knowledge to help someone else, can you call yourself wise. So, read, learn, be knowledgeable.........learn to be wise.