Answered by Brother Michel Lankford
The Bible clearly tells us that Abba (יהוה YHWH) Almighty God is the SOURCE and the fountainhead from which all true wisdom originates. If it’s GENUINE wisdom, it comes from God, (e.g. Isaiah 28; Proverbs 2:6-8).
There is of course COUNTERFEIT and FALSE knowledge, wisdom, and understanding out there, but all TRUE Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom comes from the Almighty Creator. Now, some people hate God. They don’t want to acknowledge His existence or His authority, but that doesn’t alter the fact that YHWH Almighty God is the SOURCE and the Fountainhead of all TRUE Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom.
- The Bible says that the fear of YHWH Almighty God is the BEGINNING of knowledge, (Proverbs 1:7); which literally means that those who refuse to acknowledge and to respect YHWH cannot even BEGIN to have any true knowledge at all.
- The Bible says that the fool says in his heart there is no God, (Psalm 53:1; Psalm 14:1-7).
- The Bible says that the fool often THINKS and BELIEVES that they are wise, but they are deluding themselves, (e.g. Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25; Proverbs 26:12; Isaiah 5:20-24; Romans 1:22-24).
Scripture warns us to keep God and His Standards at the center:
As It Is Written:
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
(Proverbs 3:7 NKJV)
This means that genuine knowledge, understanding and wisdom also requires humility, so that we will not become puffed up and think we are wise in our own eyes. Most people who refuse to acknowledge YHWH are immensely puffed up and proud. They either cannot, or they refuse to humble themselves. That’s partly why they are unbelievers.
At this point, it pays to understand that Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom, are NOT entirely the SAME thing. Let me explain in the simplest way that I can, with the simple yet digestible example that you can apply to multiple things.
Knowledge – Through training and practice I have learned and can do basic math. I can add. I can subtract. I can multiply. I can divide. I might have learned the basics of how to do some algebra and geometry. I have gained the knowledge through training to be able to solve some basic math problems when confronted with them.
Understanding – I come to the realization that I can use the knowledge and training I have learned in other places, beyond simply getting a good grade on my homework, and keeping my parents off my back. For example, I come to the realization that I can use my math skills to track and manage my finances as an adult. So I learned that there is a use for this knowledge, beyond just getting the homework done and getting an acceptable grade. My understanding is growing.
Wisdom – Wisdom is when I make the decision to USE the math skills I have learned, to track my finances, and then I carry that forward, and make whatever sacrifices I need to make in order to spend less money than I take in, and I choose to live within my means, and not to overspend. That’s wisdom. When you choose to, USE and to APPLY the knowledge and understanding you have gained, to achieve the best possible results and the best possible outcomes in your physical circumstances; THAT is True Wisdom.
Wisdom is the proper use and application of knowledge and understanding, to achieve the best results and outcomes possible. Some people can be walking encyclopedias. They might have a lot of knowledge in various subjects, but they lack understanding of how to use what they know beyond winning at Trivial Pursuit, or quiz shows.
On the other hand, someone else may have less knowledge on much fewer topics, but they know how to use what they learn to crossover into various areas of their lives. They may focus extraordinary effort into applying whatever little knowledge and understanding they do have to its fullest, and they end up prospering and being more blessed than those who have a greater amount of knowledge, but don’t grow in understanding and wisdom. It can make all the difference. That’s how some people who don’t seem extraordinarily educated can often do better in real life. For example, a computer programmer might use what he learns at work to help him to persevere through other challenges in his life. Very few computer programs work 100% right the first time around. There’s always problems and errors that have to be fixed or other things that don’t work and have to be tweaked. So he has to go back, figure out what’s wrong, and learn how to fix it, so the program does what he wants it to do, isn’t that right? Now let’s say that our computer programmer figures out that some of the same principles are true, he can apply that perseverance he learned in programming to other areas of his life such as relationships. Just because life and relationships are difficult and challenging, it doesn’t mean you quit and do something else. You keep learning what you can, and you try different things until it works. His understanding that he can use some of the perseverance techniques is learned in programming to persevere through difficult times and relationships and keep trying, means that his understanding is growing. Now when he decides actually use the knowledge and understanding he has gained, and he makes the choices to do whatever is required to persevere and keep trying in his relationships; he is applying knowledge and understanding to help them achieve better results in his life and his relationships; he is now applying wisdom to the knowledge and the understanding that he has gained. He is using it to better his circumstances in various areas of his life. He is growing in wisdom.
I hope that helps. Thank you for your kind attention.
Brother Michel Lankford