A Process to Wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)
In college, I had so much respect for my professors; all their knowledge was inspiring. However, as my wisdom increased, I realized knowledge and wisdom are two very different attributes. In “How to Stack Wisdom For Life,” Thomas Oppong describes knowledge this way, “Knowledge is just knowing something-like how to ride a bike, read, drive a car, etc. Wisdom, on the other hand, is more like intelligence-the ability to understand and solve problems, think critically, and make good decisions.” Wisdom takes knowledge and allows us to view situations from different perspectives, learn, and make healthy decisions in most people's best interests.
When we mistakenly view knowledge and wisdom as synonymous, people can take any stray piece of knowledge and claim the truth. Knowledge and wisdom as synonymous is a dangerous precedence. When any strand of knowledge is blessed with the title “wisdom,” it can easily be manipulated or warped to prove anything, including a lie. Wisdom must convey truth, compassion, and spiritual reflection. There are ways we can nurture legitimate wisdom.
The first step in gleaning wisdom, according to Oppong, is “Self-awareness.” Oppong reminds us of one of my favorite quotes by Aristotle, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” When we become self-aware, we can learn how our knowledge influences our decision-making and those around us. The next step, “Practice” means acknowledging we can never experience perfect wisdom. We must work at maintaining the wisdom we have. And the third step, “Curiosity” affirms that wisdom is found in more places than in traditional academia. This curiosity should encourage us to do “self-directed learning.” We should always be learning and teaching ourselves new things. Wise people recognize our learning is never over until we take our last breath upon this earth.
Today, take the spiritual journey of reflecting on your wisdom. No one can judge or evaluate your level of wisdom. You and the Holy Spirit can only assess recognition of wisdom. Take some time and consider your level of self-awareness. Then, prepare a process for how you will practice nurturing your wisdom. Ask whether you are a naturally curious person or if this is something you need to enhance. Finally, set up a plan for your ongoing learning. Recommit to reading your Bible. Watch an online course on a topic that will strengthen your faith and care for others. Consider options for audiobooks or podcasts that will challenge you. This commitment isn’t just wisdom for self-enhancement but will benefit your family and all with whom you come into contact, to the third and fourth generations. Knowledge is not enough to make a profound and lasting difference in the world around you. You need wisdom as well.