Is knowledge very helpful? Mmmm. Maybe. If of course it has wisdom attached to it. You could honestly have all the knowledge in the world and still make incredibly stupid choices.
My mind says yes, but my body says no. And that’s knowledge. One needs wisdom in order to carry out a goal. You can have all the knowledge in the world and yet never accomplish anything with it. We were studying Joseph today and how he applied wisdom to the situation when Potiphar’s wife tempted him. He knew that sleeping with Potiphar’s wife was wrong and then he applied wisdom to the situation and left his coat in the hands of Potiphar’s wife. He of course had the knowledge. But he also had the wisdom.
Our emphasis on education in regards to knowledge is absolutely pointless unless wisdom comes with it. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time. You get smart people who don’t have any common sense. Like Mark Twain said, “I’ve never let my school interfere with my education.” Schooling is wonderful and good. Knowledge is great. But unless you apply that knowledge it’s pointless.
If one were to know that fornication or pornography is evil and yet still participate in it, we see here that there’s no lack of knowledge. There’s a lack of wisdom. If one were to lay around the house watching tv, playing video games, and picks up his clothes every five days, and he understands what a sluggard is and the curse that comes with it, he’s lacking wisdom. If one were to gossip, and know that gossip is wrong, and yet continue doing it that person lacks wisdom.
But how do we get wisdom? Well that’s why we own a Bible.
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” ~ Proverbs 4:7
“To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” ~ Proverbs 16:16
But how?!
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” ~ Proverbs 9:10
That’s it. We must fear God. Simple. Fear God. We must fear him. Otherwise we won’t obey his laws. We won’t take the knowledge and understanding that God gave us unless we truly fear him.
Day 265