What is wisdom?

As defined by the dictionary...

wis·dom (wiz′dəm)

noun

1. the quality of being wise; power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.; good judgment; sagacity
2. learning; knowledge; erudition: the wisdom of the ages
3. Now Rare wise discourse or teaching
4. Wisdom of Solomon
5. a wise plan or course of action

____________________________________________

One must have adequate understanding of the difference between wisdom and knowledge.

You can be the smartest person in the world and still lack wisdom. I see it day in and day out in my job. Very bright kids continuing to make the same mistakes over and over and not understanding the result of their mistakes. Adults do this as well, it is not something unique to kids. Many of these bright individuals have lots of knowledge. Let's look at drugs for example. Schools and parents for the most part have usually done a decent job at educating kids of the dangers of drugs, usually by the time children are in the 7th grade. So why do many of these children continue to try and abuse drugs? Many say that they want to test and see for themselves, that their curiosity gets the best of them. Many of these do so despite the repeated warnings that you can become addicted even after the first try or worse with some drugs possibly causing brain damage and death after one use. Knowledge is not benefiting these children. They lack insight and discernment, both of which are part of wisdom. A wise person will abstain from drugs because they can learn from others mistakes as well as see the possible ramifications of their actions if they were to so choose to try them. They can see down the road at the many scary possibilities. They do not gamble with their lives nor the lives of others for simple curiosity.

Wisdom is the simplest road to take most of the time. While in the Bible it details wisdom as being a gift, one granted to Solomon in 2 Chronicals 1, it is also one that can be utilized by anyone. Unfortunately, the value of wisdom seems to be lacking a great deal in our society today, which is full of individuals living for the moment, only caring about this moment. Few see the long term possibilities of their actions or even on the generations to come. This in turn has created a world full of entitlement and self indulgence. I fear it will only get worse for generations to come.

As you grow older you will be tested beyond measure. Only God and his ultimate power and grace can see you through things to come. Through God you can gain wisdom, if you only ask. Of course as humans you will make mistakes, even Soloman did some things that one might consider beneath a man of God. But, you must practice from an early age trying to see the outcome of your choices. With discernment you will be able to see under others intentions, and therefore prevent some harm done to you and others. Wisdom will also make it easier for you to discern between right and wrong, because there is grey areas that are often difficult to tell. There is no black and white and you must never assume that there is. If only it were that easy.

This is pretty much what I consider the basics of wisdom, but it goes far more in depth depending on the situations. I will detail more as I go, I am certain. But in the mean time, please utilize one of my favorite books in the Bible, Proverbs. Throughout, you will find many of King Solomon's teachings on wisdom. Here is just the beginning...

Proverbs 1:2-6
2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion— 5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.

I pray that each of you seek wisdom and use it everyday, even in the most mundane of situations.