It is with delight and joy that I welcome you to the month of May, our month of walking in wisdom. One of the specific attributes of life that God clearly requested and commanded we should get is wisdom. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding”. I think the reason for this is clear - one of the most successful and wealthiest King in history requested for wisdom and the trajectory of his life changed forever. The world belongs to people of knowledge no doubt but knowledge without wisdom is what is called foolishness. This month I pray that God who granted Solomon wisdom will grant you wisdom.
What is wisdom?
Online dictionary defines wisdom as the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise. Wisdom is synonymous with sagacity, sageness, intelligence, understanding, insight, perception, perceptiveness, percipience, penetration, perspicuity, acuity, discernment and good sense. Wisdom is the capacity to have soundness with respect to an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting.
Wisdom is applied knowledge or knowledge put into action. There are people who have more degrees than a thermometer but can not put their knowledge into action. Real wisdom knows what to do, when to do it, how to do it and gets right down and does it. You cannot flourish in any human endeavour acquiring knowledge, without applying it. Right action at the right time is called wisdom and that produces great results.
What is the difference between, knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
Until you understand the difference between knowledge, understanding and wisdom you will not appreciate the importance of wisdom. Wisdom and knowledge, both recurring themes in the Bible, are related but not synonymous. Knowledge is information gained through experience, reasoning, or acquaintance. Knowledge has to do with facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. There is a scripture passage that actually helps to elucidate on these three vocabularies. “Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Prov24:3-4) From here we understand that knowledge has to do with accumulation of information, but when information is not understood it becomes a problem. Understanding however has to do with comprehension. I always remember my Secondary school days when the English teacher will give a passage and ask the students to read and answer some questions to demonstrate comprehension. If a student happen not to understand the passage and cannot get the answer correctly, the teacher will encourage such to make further effort by using the information presented to make an informed decision and thus manifest wisdom. That is why it is a laughable situation whereby a Medical Doctor comes up with an X-Ray to teach a patient the danger of smoking. The Doctor stated “You see, this is an X-Ray of a non-smoker, his heart, is clean. You see, this other X-Ray is of a smoker, it is dark and black, meaning it has the potential of leading the smoker to have heart related diseases.” Few minutes later, the MD goes out to smoke. This implies that the man has knowledge (information), he also has understanding (comprehension) but lacks wisdom. It stands to reason therefore that knowledge can exist without wisdom, but not the other way around. One can be knowledgeable without being wise. Knowledge is knowing how to use a gun; wisdom is knowing when to use it and when to keep it holstered. Knowledge is what is gathered over time through the study of the Scriptures. It can be said that wisdom, in turn acts properly upon that knowledge. Wisdom is the fitting application of knowledge. Knowledge knows when the light has turned red; wisdom applies the brakes. Knowledge sees the quicksand; wisdom walks around it. Knowledge memorizes the Ten Commandments; wisdom obeys them. Knowledge learns of God; wisdom loves Him.
The Importance of Wisdom.
Recently I shared a video clip of one of my teachings on social media why we study the bible, which was delivered during the International Gathering of Eagles Conference in Abidjan , Cote D’iviore. One of the reasons I stated was that God wants us to have knowledge of Him and what He expects of us. I further postulated that one of the advantages of studying the word of God is to help us make informed decisions in life as we daily face challenges and situations that demand us to make decisions. For example, the scripture says “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” Joshua 1:8 (NLT) God is saying here that your success and prosperity is predicated on accurate, sound judgment and application of the knowledge acquired through the study of the word of God. Again, God is saying that it is important to have knowledge but it is equally important to have wisdom which is the right application of knowledge.
How do we get wisdom?
Wisdom is a gift from God. James 1:5 states, “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.” God blesses us with wisdom for us to glorify Him and use the knowledge we have for Him. We can pray to God to give us wisdom and he will answer. It's hard to gain wisdom when you stay on one spot and do the same thing day after day. Rather, try new things! Step out of your comfort zone! If you're afraid to do something, perhaps that's the very thing you should try to do. Read! By reading you are tapping into the experience of people - living or dead. Read the bible! Read biographies and autobiographies! Since knowledge is a prerequisite for applying wisdom, the more you acquire knowledge the better your possibility of making sound judgment. To get wisdom, learn to listen to audio messages and watch video messages. People teach through these media. Tap to their wisdom and experience. After all, it is often said that it is better to learn from the mistakes of others than from your own. All the testimonies shared in your church and other places are to help you to acquire wisdom. To acquire wisdom, think through issues before you act. Process the information you have, ensure understanding and apply the knowledge gained.
The following acronym of T-H-I-N-K may be of help.
•T- is it true – what I am hearing is it true?
•H- is it helpful- What I want to do is it helpful to my career, my marriage, ministry,
•I – Is it inspiring- what I want say is it inspiring?
•N- is it needful- Do you have to rape a person to satisfy your sexual urge. Do you have to smoke Indian hem to cool your nerves or get high? Do you have to have sex before you marry that person? Do you have to bribe before you can get that contract?
•K- is it kind?
The bible says as a man thinketh so is he or she. The book of Proverbs is perhaps the best place in the Bible to learn biblical wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 speaks of both biblical knowledge and wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” To fear the Lord is to start on the path to knowledge, and God can then begin to provide us with wisdom through Christ, whom the Bible calls the wisdom of God: “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Conclusion. Though the issue of resolution is despised, because people most times don’t keep it, nevertheless, the failure of some never to keep to their resolution(s) does not nullify the concept of resolution. Therefore, resolve in your heart and in your life to walk in wisdom from this day. “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” Eph 5:15-16. Resolve to walk closely with Jesus. I believe this is the most important step in walking in wisdom. Walking closely with Jesus is an attitude of the heart, not just an outward action. Walking with Jesus involves Bible Study and prayer, but Bible Study and prayer do not equate to being surrendered to and following Jesus. Jesus is the source of all wisdom. I have offered you wise counsel in this article follow it. “For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 24:6. I pray that wisdom shall be your portion from this day in Jesus name.
Pastor Amos Dada is an author and a notable conference speaker, he is the Senior Pastor and District Superintendent Christ Apostolic Church Bethel Toronto. He is the Convener of International Gathering of Eagles (IGOE) Conferences and President of the Canadian Institute of Leadership and Development. Invite him to your next event and do your best to attend IGOE 2018 from September 13-16. Save August 11, 2018 for Canada Return to Your Maker Prayer Summit, in Toronto, Canada. You can also subscribe to his channel on YouTube, join him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.@amos_dada
