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Have you ever considered what the difference between wisdom and knowledge is? Maybe it would be to our benefit to do so, as it may not always be readily apparent but can at times be instrumental in differentiating between good and bad advice and actions. Knowledge is defined as a state of knowing the facts concerning a topic or issue while wisdom is shown by good judgment – making sound decisions based on what is already known combined with what we learn from practical life experience – or the ability to use knowledge well.

For example, most everyone sixteen and older knows how to drive. But are they wise in how they drive, in deciding who or what influences them while they drive, knowing the difference between safe speed and reckless abandon etc. Can you be knowledgeable without wisdom? Certainly! Can you be wise without a “higher” education? Absolutely! Which is better? Personally, I would prefer to be wise over just knowing facts (Scripture asserting that, “Wisdom is supreme,...” Proverbs 4:7), but instead of asking which is better, why not strive for what is best? Knowledge brought to completion and fulfillment by wisdom. (As in, “Get wisdom, get understanding ...” Proverbs 4:5)

Have you ever known a highly educated person who never-the-less struggled to get anything done? These people highlighting the fact that the accumulation of knowledge – mere facts – won’t necessarily change your life for the better, that only happening when you take the knowledge you’ve gained and make it relevant, practical and useful. Jesus insisting, “...wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Matthew 11:19 The bottom line for Jesus always being how what we profess is expressed; love for him prompting love for our fellowman expressed in a life designed to help, console, and nurture. If we do nothing with what we learn, what’s the point in learning it; whether it’s in acquiring a job or in living a life patterned after Christ? (See Proverbs 24:11,12 & James 1:22)

That’s why it’s imperative to acquire wisdom as well as knowledge. Proverbs declaring that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,...” and “wisdom”. Proverbs 1:7 & Proverbs 9:10 The purpose being, “...for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,...” and “…doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.” Proverbs 1:2-4 But what does fearing God have to do with it? If we truly understand who he is we will appreciate, love, and respect him; holding him in awe for what he has done and what he promises to do. He loves us, provides for us and tries to lead us. But he can and will judge us – he could destroy us. He prefers to correct, discipline and lead us to salvation and a righteous lifestyle. Scripture assuring us that, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13 But admonishes us to “…not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Hebrews 12:5,6 (See also Revelation 3:19) He does indeed love us so much that he is willing to accept us as we are, but too much to allow us to stay that way. It’s often a matter of maturity and perspective, as we learn to see that, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 (See also Proverbs 24:18)

We exercise our minds and bodies to be physically fit, emotionally stable and intellectually sound. Hard work – sometimes less than comfortable – instills discipline and leads to success; changing the ordinary to extra-ordinary. The path to wisdom through fearing the Lord (Proverbs 15:33) can be hard work and a difficult concept to grasp. But scripture characterizes it as similar to the dynamic between parents and their children. As such, we learn over time to behave because we know our parents would never intentionally steer us wrong. But occasionally they may have to use sterner methods to get our attention in convincing us to listen and do as we’re told. (See Proverbs 28:15 and, “The rod of correction…”) We listen now in part because we respect them and want to fulfill their wishes and avoid disappointment (theirs and ours), but still in part to avoid correction, punishment/discipline as well. Which is much the same with our heavenly Father, as “God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline) then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respect them for it. How much more should we submit to the father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.” Hebrews 12:7-10

Scripture assures us “...if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5

Further explaining that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 Why? Because, “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.” Proverbs 16:6 How? “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. …Counsel and sound judgment are mine, I have understanding and power.” Prov. 8:12-14Convincing us to believe that, “By wisdom a house (or life) is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge (then) its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3,4

The book of Proverbs describes the pre-eminence of wisdom while John’s Gospel depicts Christ as God’s Word, in strikingly similar terms. “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. When there were no oceans,… when there were no springs abounding with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the earth or it’s fields or any of the dust of the world. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon… when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea it’s boundary…, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.” Proverbs 8:22-31

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” That Word then, “…became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:1-3 &14Wisdom, ever present, even before creation of the world. The Word, wisdom incarnate, who was with God, who is God; the world being created by that Word.

Jesus, “…the exact representation of (God’s) being (now) sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3 Making any “…who hears these words… and puts them into practice… a wise man…” Matthew 7:24

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Things that go bump in the night