While knowledge is the collection of data (information and facts), wisdom is the ability to distinguish the usefulness of that knowledge as well as the discernment of how to apply it in life producing ways which leads to fruitfulness (or thriving). It's possible to be smart (know a lot of information) yet be a fool (not know how to use the information in productive ways). It's also possible to have knowledge and wisdom and lack the discipline to apply it. Both of these scenarios could be called wisDUMB. The evidence of applied wisdom is fruitfulness. In other words, when we make wise choices it produces more life in our life. The opposite is also true. When we make unwise choices it produces a decaying process in our life. That's why I believe the best question we can ask to quickly determine whether or not something is a wise choice or not is, "What's the fruit?" If the choice is producing withering, fruitlessness, dysfunction, and the dying process then that choice (or something about that choice) may be foolish and unwise. It has to be assessed and possibly abandoned. But if the result is fruitful (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faith, self control, abundance, fulfillment, growth, greater health, glorifying to God, life producing) then there's a good possibility that this is a wise choice and should be leaned into. The interesting thing about wisdom is that God has not hidden it from us. In fact, He has made it plain and easy to find. He says that wisdom calls out to us. It's all around us. All we have to do is pay attention to it. Make it a priority. Appreciate its value. And be willing to forsake foolishness in order to have it. The thing is that wisdom isn't as "sexy" as foolishness. Foolishness lures you away with false advertising and tells you that wisdom is boring. It wines you and dines you while slowly killing you one choice at a time. But wisdom is often the overlooked wall flower that doesn't court you with sex appeal. She simply promises (and delivers) to you a meaningful, fulfilling, abundant life. Foolishness is a cruel mistress that never delivers on her empty promises, but wisdom is the faithful wife who surpasses all expectations and leaves no regrets. Each person chooses which one they embrace. And the fruit, or lack there of, becomes both the nourishment and the evidence of our choices.
A few easy and great sources of acquiring wisdom that I've been enjoying lately are the book of Proverbs (there are 31 chapters so you can read one chapter each day of the month), RightNow Media (it's like Netflix, but full of Godly lessons, sermons, and teachings), books, and YouTube. Pick which ones work best for the way(s) you best learn... read, listen, watch, and/or meet with wise people. You may be one wise nugget away from a life that thrives!
"Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed." - Proverbs 3:13-18
STRiVE to THRiVE!
