The Treasure of Learning ,Wisdom

Probably one of the most well known verses on wisdom is James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Years ago when I worked in the Explorers, we did a skit and our theme was Girls Town. One of the Explorers played a traveling preacher who quoted that verse with such emphasis and authority. I never hear that verse without thinking about that time and hearing it just that way !!


If “Knowledge” is the facts…. And “Understanding” is the ability to lift the meaning out of the facts… then “Wisdom” is knowing what to do next…. how to apply knowledge and understanding to our lives.

Long ago, a former elder at Open Bible, August DeVos…told me a way to remember these three…and I still remember it! He said a man studied and knew all about tobacco….the types, the soil needed, how it was hung to dry and harvested etc . He had knowledge of tobacco. Another man knew all about how tobacco was made into cigarettes and how smoking caused a very deadly cancer. He had an understanding of tobacco. The third man, because of what he had learned, would not even try smoking or allow smoking in his house...this man had wisdom.

Knowledge and understanding need to result in Wisdom. There are many who have great knowledge and understanding but, lacking wisdom, they consistently do the wrong thing. Wisdom should be our goal, and not just any type of wisdom…. Godly Wisdom!

James 3:13-15,17 “ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy”

If we allow the Lord’s Spirit to guide us, with His wisdom, through knowledge and understanding, we will be able to rightly divide the Word of Truth. 2 Tim 2:15 says “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.

So to put the three elements together Prov 3:5-7 says “ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.” And Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

The three Traceable, Trustable Treasures of Learning….Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom