Articles From Our Bulletins
Knowledge < Wisdom
Whether you view “<” as a mathematical symbol (“less than”) or a flow-chart sign (indicating source, flow, or production), it is true either way. Knowledge must precede wisdom, with understanding being the link between them, but wisdom is also “greater than” knowledge despite being predicated upon it. Here’s why such is not only true spiritually, but important…
Like the Sadducees who sought to entrap Jesus with a hypothetical question the implications of which violated their own beliefs, we err when we do not know/understand “the Scriptures,” cf. Matthew 22:23-29. Our ability to do God’s will is inherently dependent upon knowing and understanding His Word, obviously. But, even well-rounded knowledge and understanding of the New Testament surely doesn’t ensure it’s application (which is “wisdom”). Think about this way: For us as Christians, “Of the sins we typically or even repetitively commit, how many of them are truly ‘sins of ignorance’? I can’t speak for you, personally, but in my case, the answer is (embarrassingly), “Virtually all of them.” Don’t we usually know full well that most of the sins we commit are a violation of God’s will when we do or fail to do them? Thus, knowledge, even when coupled with understanding, does not equate to wisely doing what God says. Though a necessary part of being truly obedient- we certainly can’t obey what we don’t know/understand, overcoming our own will to be subservient to God’s requires more than just mental awareness the Word.
If such is doubted, consider these passages with which most Christians are familiar:
- Philippians 2:3-4. We know and understand that we’re supposed to humbly regard and treat one another as more important than ourselves.
- Ephesians 4:32. We know and understand that we’re supposed to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving of one another.
How many “church/brethren squabbles” could and would be avoided or at least healed and put right if we did exactly what we know just these two passages require? We know we’re supposed follow the example of Jesus’ humility and regard one another as more important than ourselves, but how often do we wisely practice it in our estimations regarding, attitude toward, and treatment of one another? Consider also:
- Matthew 9:10-13,36. We know and understand, from both the words and example of Jesus, that we’re supposed to be compassionate to the position and plight of the lost.
- Colossians 4:5-6. We know and understand that we’re supposed to be wise and gracious in our deeds and words toward “outsiders” (non-Christians).
Again, we know what these verses teach, but a lack of information isn’t the real culprit. Our “disdain” for sin easily and often bleeds over into contempt for the sinner, thereby eliminating the compassion needed to reach out and help them with and through the gospel. Graciousness is treating people better than they deserve. While we desire and appreciate such from God to ourselves, we (or at least, “I”) often fail miserably to extend this “better than deserved” treatment to others (on social media, in traffic, in the store, at the restaurant, on the job, etc.). Why? Is it because we don’t know any better? Hardly. Instead, it is because the application of truth in wisdom is predicated upon, but certainly greater than, mere knowledge. “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin,” James 4:17. Let’s make 2018 the year of being “doers of the word” rather than merely “hearers” (and knowers!) “who delude themselves,” James 1:22. Yes, you can, and so can I. Let’s do it!
- Knowledge_is_less_than_Wisdom.pdf (72.63 kB)
