2 Chronicles 1:10-12

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Wisdom and knowledge are closely related but not the same thing.

It may seem like someone who is very knowledgeable, intelligent, well-read, etc. is also a wise person. That is not necessarily so.

You must have knowledge to have wisdom, but you may have knowledge and not have wisdom.

Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and ideas and information. Almost anyone with access to Google can acquire knowledge. Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge.

One common example of knowledge vs. wisdom is the tomato.

Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom says that it does not belong in a fruit salad.

Charles Spurgeon said, “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”

In Romans chapter 1, Paul writes that you can know God and think that you are wise but actually be a fool. This happens when you refuse to glorify Him as God.

Even the devils have the knowledge that there is one God, they believe and tremble (James 2). But, they don’t have wisdom, because they do not correctly apply that knowledge. They don’t glorify God. They don’t believe that His way is the right way. They go their own way.

The Book of Proverbs says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and the beginning of wisdom (chapters 1 and 9). You must have knowledge before wisdom. Knowing to revere the Lord and giving Him the glory He deserves is the beginning of true knowledge. Having the truth about God’s glory in knowledge is the beginning of wisdom.

True wisdom comes from God.

Someone once said that wisdom is seeing things from God’s point of view. That point of view comes from God.

Proverbs 2:6 — For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

To have true knowledge and wisdom, you must seek it in the word of God. Even if you don’t agree with things from God’s point of view, if you want to be wise, you must submit to that point of view. Ask God to show you why you are wrong. Ask Him to help you understand. Ask him for true knowledge about Him.

He has promised He will give it to you. Ask God for wisdom.

May God Bless You.