Today
the literacy rate is quite high. Everyone tries to study and gain knowledge as
much as one can. A person can gain knowledge by study and education but, not
the wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom differ from each other. To know the difference
between knowledge and wisdom, let us see the definition:
Definition of Knowledge:
Knowledge
is the accumulation of facts and data that you have learned about or
experienced. It’s being aware of something and having information. Knowledge is
really about facts and ideas that we acquire through study, research,
investigation, observation or experience.
Definition of Wisdom:
Wisdom
is the ability to discern and judge which aspects of that knowledge are true,
right, lasting and applicable to your life. It’s the ability to apply that
knowledge to the greater scheme of life. It’s also deeper; knowing the meaning
or reason; about knowing why something is and what it means to your life.
So, it
is very clear that one can get knowledge through study, research,
investigation, observation and experience and is concern to the brain. While the wisdom provides the ability to
discern and judge the knowledge that how much true it is, is it right and
lasting and is concern to the life.
Knowledge
can be attained easily as compared to wisdom, because wisdom is from God, as
mentioned in Proverbs
3:13-18, “Happy
is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. For the
merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver and the gain thereof
than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can
desire are not to be compared to her. Length of days is in her right hand; and
in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all
her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and
happy is every one that retains her.”
Bible
says that wisdom is from above and it automatically blesses us with numerous
qualities who ever receive it. As said in James 3:17, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
How can we get wisdom?
It is
God who gives wisdom to all men, James 1:5 very clearly says that, “If any of you lack
wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraides not;
and it shall be given him.”
In
order to receive wisdom from God, there are certain criteria to qualify. They
are:
To
receive wisdom, one should fear the Lord in order to get knowledge and
understanding as said in Proverbs 1:7 which says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Trust
and faith is the key to success. It plays an important role in getting wisdom,
as written in Proverbs
3:5, “Trust
in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Seeker of wisdom should always have thirst to
acquire knowledge. As mentioned in Proverbs
18:15, “An intelligent heart
acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
You will have to find out the will of the Lord
as Ephesians
5:15 says “Look carefully then how you walk, not as
unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
A next
criterion is to listen to the advice of wise men and seniors as written in Proverbs 19:20 “Listen to advice
and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” And in Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man
listens to advice.”
How much time does it take to receive wisdom?
Read Job 12:12-13 where it tells us about the time of receiving wisdom.
“Wisdom is with
the aged, and understanding in length of days. “With God are wisdom and might;
he has counsel and understanding.”
What are the symptoms, when a person receives
wisdom?
See Ecclesiastes 8:1, “Who is like the
wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his
face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.”
Qualities developed after receiving wisdom
See Proverbs 24:3-7 that the following qualities are developed after
wisdom is received. “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by
knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise
man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise
guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is
victory. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.”
Another
quality described in Proverbs 14:16, “One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a
fool is reckless and careless.”
Next
quality as mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:7, says “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give
you understanding in everything.”
Therefore,
If you need God’s wisdom, ask Him in faith and He will give you.