Everyone wants to make good, first-time decisions—the best decisions possible.

But without previous experience in the pressing issue, is this achievable? What college to attend, when to marry, which job to pursue or accept, when to retire are important decisions.

We Google things, ask parents and friends for advice and pray to ensure sound judgment.

Information, knowledge, and praying about options or circumstances before making a decision is a wise start. But decisions based on peripheral knowledge and no experience is tricky and risky.

We all want to make wise choices. An insightful person has wisdom. Are you insightful? Are you wise?

Based on your reasoning, logic, and knowledge, do you get it right the first time?

Recently I pondered, what’s the difference between wisdom and knowledge? People say knowledge is power. I’ve said the same thing many times. But We need more than knowledge. If knowledge is knowing, wisdom is knowing what to do and when to do.

So, we know the cliché about knowledge. Is there a cliché about wisdom? I’ve never heard anyone say that wisdom is power.

Have you?

Wisdom is powerful.

Wisdom demands a calibration of character, Godly prudence, and heart. Wisdom isn’t doing things my way. Wisdom is doing things God’s way.
No matter how I try, I won’t do wisdom justice in definition or explanation. But try, we must.

My brother-in-law, who is a minister, said wisdom comes from God. This is a foundational truth. What are some things the Bible says about wisdom? But I’m not talking about the worldly or skeptic’s definition of wisdom.

Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing.”

This verse states that wisdom is required and is a critical attainment in our Christian journey. Wisdom will let us realize our human deficiencies and God’s omnipotence.

We need knowledge and wisdom to grow in Christianity and be successful in life.

King Solomon asked God for wisdom and knowledge, but not to attain personal, worldly, or prideful possessions. God granted Solomon’s noble request and also gave him things he didn’t ask for. God gave Solomon riches, wealth, and honor like no other king before or after him.

Solomon’s made a wise request. He could’ve asked for long life, death of his enemies, riches and so many other things. Solomon got it right the first time. He asked for wisdom. And the Bible states he was the wisest man.

Someone said experience is the best teacher. And I’ve said this too, many times. But when you have bad experiences, you don’t always get a do-over to get it right.

So, we all desire to get it right the first time. Don’t you agree?

It can’t be overstated that Solomon’s request came from the heart to achieve his goal and mission. He wanted wisdom and knowledge to judge God’s people rightly. Only God could give him the virtue of wisdom. Solomon knew what to ask for and whom to ask.

We may know who to ask, but often we don’t know what to ask for.

With wisdom, you don’t need 20/20 hindsight. Wisdom is 20/20 insight.

We have an opportunity to get it right the first time. We can choose the right husband, wife, college, profession, achieve dreams, etc.

There will never be another Solomon. But wisdom is available to all those who ask. And we’re included.

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”

When God gives us a talent or vision, He also equips us with the means to achieve success. If we have not wisdom, it’s because we ask not.

Some people’s dreams are their financial path through life. There are writers, doctors, and many others who earn large salaries and fulfill their dreams daily.

But many of you row through life in a boat similar to mine. Our income comes from an occupation or profession that is apart from our dream or passion. In other words, all dreams aren’t money-making pursuits. And that’s OK. We still need wisdom.

Without wisdom, when we come to a cross-road, we don’t know which road to choose.

Wisdom and knowledge are inseparable gifts from God. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

God doesn’t impart in part. The total of wisdom is greater than the sum of any of its parts—knowledge, and understanding. Wisdom is a spiritual discernment for right judgment and decisions.

General or practical knowledge is a by-product of our environment, education, and training. And study, observation, and experience can improve our basic knowledge.

The fear of God is knowledge and understanding of His word. This is wisdom.

One can be familiar with God’s word without having understanding and wisdom. And we can know His word without knowing how to apply it to our lives and the lives of others.

The saying about a little knowledge is true. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing? But couple it with wisdom and understanding, this produces a lighted pathway to success.

Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are in concert, a good opus to success. They are conjoined triplets.

The world wants knowledge and to use it as they wish.

But the Christian wants wisdom so God can help them achieve their wish.

We can’t be as wise as King Solomon, but we can be wise.

Are owls wise? Maybe this is a question for another post. .

For more details about wisdom and understanding, check out my Food for Growth post on 7-16.