Would you rather have knowledge or wisdom?“Wisdom is, I suppose, the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” The Fourfold Treasure (1871) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:14-16But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds(A) and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:14-16 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-20“When the devil speaks a lie, it is bad. When he uses the world to perpetrate a lie, it is worse. But, when the members of the church become his instruments to spread devilish wisdom, it is the worst of all situations.” Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, Exposition of James and the Epistles of JohnBut the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17“If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees! Vance HavnerWhere then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky…God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells…then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” Job 28:20-21,23,27-28The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. Psalm 111:10I [wisdom] love those who love me, and those who seek me find me…For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death. Proverbs 8:17, 35-36If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6(Mariners Church Chapel, Irvine, CA)
