Knowledge vs. Wisdom

Hi Garden,

Lately, I've been studying a lot about knowledge and wisdom.

I've learned that we can know a lot about the Bible and still struggle to live out what we know. For example, we can know we're supposed to forgive but actually forgiving someone that hurt us is much harder to do. We can know we're supposed to trust God but it can be difficult to find that trust when things seem to be falling apart.

Learning this I noticed the importance of knowing the difference between knowledge and wisdom and why we need both. Let's break them down.

Knowledge

Knowledge is knowing and understanding something.

Knowledge looks like:

• knowing Scripture

• understanding Biblical principles

• knowing God's character

• learning theology

And all of these things are important in your walk with Christ. Hosea 4:6 says My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. This shows that God wants us to know Him. Even Paul repeatedly writes that believers should grown in knowledge and understanding.

So the issue isn't in having the knowledge. The issue is not knowing how to apply the knowledge. That's where wisdom comes in.

Wisdom

Wisdom is knowing how to apply knowledge to real life situations.

Knowledge tells me what the Bible says, Wisdom shows me how to live it out.

For example:

Knowledge: Scripture says to forgive.

Wisdom: What does forgiveness look like? Do I need to have a conversation? Set a boundary? Release resentment?

Knowledge: God tells me not to worry.

Wisdom: When I feel anxious about a situation what does trusting God look like? Maybe it's taking thoughts captive and making them obedient to God. Maybe it's learning to distinguish what I can and cannot control.

This is why we need both they go hand in hand.

So here are 4 quick tips on How to Grow in Wisdom:

📖 1. Know God's Word

You can't consistently apply truth you don't know.

🙏 2. Ask God for wisdom

James 1:5:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God..."

Wisdom isn't something we have to manufacture ourselves.

👀 3. Pay attention to experience

Ask:

"What is God teaching me through this?"

Sometimes wisdom comes from realizing:

"I've handled this situation this way five times, and it hasn't produced good fruit. What needs to change?"

🧎🏾‍♀️ 4. Actually practice what you know

This is huge.

You don't become wise simply by consuming more Christian content.

At some point, you have to practice the truth.

Remember, learning God's word is about transformation. We want to meditate on His Word so that we can ultimately apply it to our lives and live an abundant and Christ filled life.

Until next time,

Keep going, Keep growing.

XO, Chelsie B.