Why Godly Men Pursue Wisdom Over Knowledge
Knowledge makes us proud. Wisdom makes us humble.
Paul warned the early church, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Some of the believers he was addressing thought that their superior knowledge and understanding made them more spiritual, but in reality, it only made them more prideful. Men today face the same danger. We can mistake knowing about God for walking with God – thinking that because we’ve read Scripture, logged hours in church, or listened to countless sermons, we’re automatically in his will. But true wisdom is proven not in how much we know, but in how we live. James 3:13 asks, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” Wisdom humbles us because it reminds us that every good thing – including knowledge itself – comes from God.
Knowledge fills the mind. Wisdom shapes the life.
If pride is the trap of knowledge, transformation is the fruit of wisdom. Knowledge fills the mind with facts, but wisdom presses those truths deep into the heart and out through the hands. Knowledge can tell us what is right; wisdom actually empowers us to do it. Scripture draws this line clearly: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). Wisdom shows itself in action – when we forgive, when we love, when we shut down temptation, when we serve in ways that cost us something. A man with knowledge can talk about God’s truth; a man with wisdom lives it out.
Knowledge without wisdom can be dangerous.
Left unguided by wisdom, knowledge can become the very thing that sinks us. History gives us a striking example in the Swedish warship Vasa. Built in 1628, it was a masterpiece of craftsmanship — lavishly decorated, armed with more cannons than any ship of its time, and constructed with incredible knowledge of shipbuilding. But the builders ignored warnings that the design was unstable, top-heavy, and untested. On its maiden voyage, the Vasa sailed less than a mile before tipping over and sinking, killing many of the men on board. The lesson is sobering: knowledge alone is not enough. Without wisdom to apply it rightly, even great skill and strength can lead to disaster. In the same way, our lives may look impressive on the outside, but without godly wisdom to guide us, we’re at risk of capsizing under pressure.
Putting it Into Practice:
So how can we pursue wisdom over mere knowledge? Here are a few practical steps:
- Ask God for wisdom daily. Begin each day with James 1:5 in mind: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” It’s pretty simple, really – ask, and you shall receive.
- Obey what you already know. Don’t just memorize Scripture. Live it. Start with one command of Christ (“love your neighbor” for example) and practice it this week.
- Seek wise counsel. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Surround yourself with godly men who sharpen you. Refuse to become a companion of fools.
- Pursue humility. Remember – wisdom shows itself in humility, not pride. Practice listening more than speaking and serving more than leading.
Let’s not settle for knowing about God. Let’s seek to know him, fear him, and walk in his wisdom together as we allow it to determine our steps and shape our lives. Because in the end, wise men aren’t the ones who know the most – they’re simply the ones who obey the most.
Wise Words
“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.” –Charles Spurgeon
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