God, Give Me the Wisdom to Know the Difference

How many times have you pre-empted a statement with, “If knew then what I know now?” I know I've spoken that phrase too many times to even count. But when we make that statement, we're not talking about knowledge, we're talking about wisdom.

Some might ask, what's the difference? There is a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom. The dictionary may show parallels between the two words, but when you take a moment to really consider the true meaning of each word, you will see the variances.

Both knowledge and wisdom are arrived at by way of information and experience. But it is how you process information, and what you gain through experiences that result in either knowledge or wisdom. If that sounds confusing, well it is; wisdom is not easy to obtain. In fact, there is an entire book in the Bible dedicated to wisdom; The Book of Proverbs. Many early Christian writers referred to The Book of Proverbs as “Wisdom.” The primary purpose of Proverbs is to teach wisdom.

Have you ever read The Book of Proverbs? It's written in a poetic structure and, while being filled with some beautiful words of wisdom, it is very difficult for many readers to absorb; including me.

So I wonder, can wisdom really be taught? Is that why the wise words of Solomon are not so easily learned? Is that why after reading Proverbs you don't close the book with a rousing sense of “By Jove, I think I've got it”? Knowledge can be taught, so why not wisdom?

When I think about wisdom, I refer once again to my favorite prayer; ‘The Serenity Prayer.‘

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

the courage to change the things I can

and the wisdom to know the difference.

“The wisdom to know the difference.”

I love that one; it's my favorite line in the prayer.

“The wisdom to know the difference."

That singular line says to me that knowledge and wisdom are definitely not one in the same. So much so, that I decided to take a little survey one day. Both in person and on Facebook, I posed the question:

“If you had to choose between knowledge and wisdom, and you could only have one or the other, which would you prefer to possess?”

When I conducted my little survey on Knowledge vs. Wisdom, the overwhelming majority of people chose Wisdom. And, I did notice a pattern. The older in age of the respondent, the quicker and more adamant the ‘Wisdom,' reply became; almost instantaneous in some cases. However, the younger the respondent, the longer it took to get an answer and the more often ‘Knowledge' won out.

But, I didn't just ask other people, I asked myself the same question. It was pretty easy and clear-cut for me because I have contemplated the difference between knowledge and wisdom for a long time. Lord, give me Wisdom!

First, I thought about all the things that I could accomplish if I had all of the knowledge that I want. Things like; math, science, economics and different languages. Not to mention, I would be able to kick some major booty in Trivial Pursuit. There is no doubt about it; knowledge is some pretty powerful stuff.

But then I thought about wisdom and all of the power it possesses. With wisdom, I would be able to make better decisions, better life choices and avoid all of the emotional pitfalls that come with taking the wrong path. Can you imagine never making another bad decision? Now that is what I call really powerful.

Wisdom comes from thinking with my heart. Wisdom brings me more peace and comfort. For me, wisdom is what brings me closer to God.

I can read all the books in the world to gain knowledge, but there is not a book written that will give me wisdom. Wisdom is gained through experience. Wisdom is achieved through overcoming defeat, falling down and getting back up, living through the ups and downs of life, understanding why something did or didn't work out, accepting the things I can or cannot change and knowing that all of the knowledge in the world will never make me wise.

Wisdom is not something you are born with, and it cannot be found in a book. Wisdom is learned through faith. Wisdom is knowing that God is number one in my life. Wisdom is knowing that when I'm down all I have to do is look up. I didn't find my way to God through knowledge; I found my way to God through wisdom.

Yes, I could learn every scientific table, memorize every mathematic equation, speak ten different languages and be the most intelligent person on the planet, but still make a decision that could send my life straight to the gutter. All of the knowledge in the world would not help me. Only the wisdom of knowing I can turn to God can help me.

You can be book smart and still not know anything. You can be intelligent yet still make wrong decisions. You can have knowledge and still not know the difference between right and wrong; good and evil.

I truly believe that with wisdom comes knowledge. When you achieve wisdom you gain knowledge. With wisdom, you know the difference.