The Principle Thing

By Author: Terry Dashner
Total Articles: 105
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Wisdom can not be taught; it must be sought. This is something that parents know well. Well, they should know. A child might learn things quickly. He might show brilliance at a very early age. He might have impeccable recall. He might master motor skills ahead of the curve. He might be super knowledgeable because concerned and loving parents poured information into him. Nevertheless in spite of the training, still a child might fail at life. Why? Because of this primary reason: Knowledge may be taught, but wisdom has to be caught.

What am I saying?

Wisdom is personified in the Old Testament book of Proverbs. Wisdom like The Word in chapter one of John's gospel is given personality. John says that The Word became flesh and walked on the face of the earth. The Word is Jesus Christ. Proverbs tells us that wisdom, because of its animated personality, is living and breathing like "The Word." Now you might ask: Could you be more specific, please? Yes, I can. Wisdom is a living attribute of God Himself; therefore, he or she who has God living inside has access to His wisdom. Which stands to reason that ...
... in order to have wisdom, a person must seek God through an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.

For those who might have trouble understanding abstract language, let me explain it like this. I can talk at length about beauty, but it means nothing to anyone unless I take beauty from the abstract to one's own sphere of reality. How would I do this? I would give beauty a personality. I would point to a beautiful person and say, My friend that is beauty. It does no good for me to explain the nexus between knowledge and wisdom unless I bring it to one's reality. So, that's what I hope to do as I continue this writing.

Knowledge should be coupled with wisdom, but that's not always the case. If it were, every intelligent person on earth would display wisdom in everything he or she does. That is not the case. Smart men and ladies alike make poor, foolish decisions daily. There were many promising men and women in the Bible that could have made it big with God, but they failed because they were full of knowledge and short on wisdom. (Consider Aaron's goofy sons for one example.) On the other hand, consider this: If a man seeks godly wisdom for his life but has limited knowledge in science, math, grammar, writing, and etc., still he may excel in life. Not every man that has succeeded in business, career, profession, or ministry has had a business or professional degree. But, they used common sense wisely. They sought God with all their might, and some excelled above and beyond the rest. Consider, for example, evangelists like D.L. Moody and Billy Sunday. These men had little formal education, but they preached powerfully to the Glory of God.

That statement brings me to this: I don't recall ever hearing testimony from a brilliant and wise person who failed in life because God failed him. Wise men still seek God, and God's wisdom still flows in abundance to any person who wants to live life to the uttermost. The wisdom of God can tell a person how to get up when he falls down. His wisdom can direct a person to succeed at whatever he does. God never fails; therefore, His wisdom will not fail any person who listens and seeks its counsel.

I might have ups and downs in daily living—and I certainly do—but I don't stop living. I believe that God by His wisdom will raise me up when I fall. The Bible declares this so. And it is true to my life's experiences. God rewards those who seek Him diligently. I seek God daily and ask for His wisdom. I believe He gives me understanding when I'm distraught about life. I believe that he gives me creativity to excel in business. I believe that His wisdom flows through me, helping me apply the knowledge I've gained through the years. This is the connection between knowledge and wisdom. God lives in me by His Holy Spirit, and His animated wisdom is available to me anytime I need a helping hand.

Especially do children need to embrace wisdom for living. Although they might excel in academia, still they can make terrible choices about life. It behooves parents to direct their children to the Book of all books, and show them how to walk in wisdom. And wisdom walks in the living breathing person of Jesus Christ. If a child walks with God all the days of his life, God's wisdom is sure to follow him in everything he does. Stay blessed! ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Senior Pastor to a small church in Broken Arrow, OK. Writes daily devotions for his congregation. He is retired from the Tulsa Police Department.