Wisdom Vs. Knowledge
I’ve shared before that as a young man, I learned the importance of getting around people you want to be like. That’s true of friends, but it’s also true of mentors. Looking back I can see that one of the motivators was a hunger for wisdom. I was an avid consumer of knowledge, but often lacked wisdom. Knowledge is one aspect of wisdom, but wisdom is something else entirely. You may have heard the adage, “Knowledge is understanding that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in fruit salad.”
How do we bridge the gap between wisdom and knowledge; especially in an age where “common sense” has become entirely uncommon? This Sunday we will begin a series in the book of Proverbs, which is often referred to as the book of Wisdom. We come to God’s Word to find wisdom, and not just ideas for navigating life, but a wisdom rooted in Christ. In fact our guiding verse for the series is in Proverbs 1:7, which tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of finding true knowledge and wisdom. I like how Dennis Rainey defined Wisdom: “Godly skill for everyday living.”
Last Sunday’s message gives added encouragement to be hungry for wisdom. Colby shared how important it is that we make the most of our time because it is fleeting, ‘because the days are evil.’ (Ephesians 5:15-16). Since his sermon I’ve often thought about Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Being mindful of how we use our time is one way to use every moment wisely.
If you’ve thought of inviting a friend to church, now would be a great time, since Proverbs is a book that everyone can relate to: highly practical and full of nuggets to get one through the day. It’s one of my favorite books of the Bible and probably one I’ve read more than any other, having read a Proverb a day for many years. Invite a friend and come join us as we launch the series “Sacred Wisdom for a Secular Age” this Sunday. May God give us favor as we seek to spread the truth of the gospel throughout the South End of Louisville!
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash