Wisdom and Knowledge

Wisdom
    This is one of the promised gifts of the Spirit (I Cor. 12:1-10) to those who are properly covenanted with their creator. Here we are speaking of the wisdom of spiritual insight from God's point of view. This is not intended to be applicable to the wisdom of this world. The Apostle Paul confided, "for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (I Cor. 3:19) A humble and seeking people are promised this gift of enhanced understanding when it comes to spiritual matters. They must ponder carefully each new fact of opinion they encounter, to see if it passes the test of being wise counsel from God's scriptural viewpoint. God also said at an earlier time, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) It is the judgment of how to use properly factual information or knowledge that constitutes the wisdom of God. A people recognizing the worth of this gift will carefully protect their relationship with God in order to guard their source of this divine wisdom. All wisdom and knowledge originates with God. Wisdom is divinely applied knowledge. There are those who have knowledge but not the insight or courage for the practical use of that knowledge.

Knowledge
    All about us are sources to inform us of the old, the new, the tried and true, and the very latest in trends, happenings and technological advances. We are bombarded 24 hours a day, (if we wish) through our FAX machines, Internet connections, pagers and mobile wireless devices. At first it appears that all knowledge is at our fingertips: the Bible on the head of a pin, encyclopedias on a chip or disc, world-wide communication with others via Chat Rooms, instant monitoring of children in daycare centers, etc. Is this the knowledge that God sees as important for us? In most cases, no. God's approach to our receiving knowledge would start with a temporary putting aside of all this "noise" of modern information, and "Be still and know that I am God". (Psalm 46:10) Sometimes we modern humans are so busy "communicating" with each other that we have no time to learn and know of God's vast treasure house of knowledge. The scriptures have more that one "layer" of intended understanding. However, many persons never read it and many others never progress beyond a bare familiarity with the surface text. Only dedication to much study, with prayers for increased insight, can reveal the deeper levels of meaning, which our Lord has placed at our disposal. This is knowledge by the Spirit.