Smart or Wise?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. (James 1:2-9)

Knowledge or wisdom . . . smart or wise? What is the difference? Lots of folks have the education it takes to do well in tis world. Many have degrees and training to allow for greatness. But why do so many fall short? Why, if we are so advanced and so knowledgeable, are we so much in debt finacially, emotionally and spiritually in our nation and our world? The key is in verse five above: we lack the wisdom of God!

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.(2 Peter 1:3-4)

Peter tells us that we believers have everything we need in order to live a Godly life. We must apply the knowledge we have gained according to the will of God. We must use the experience God allows us in life to help others to grow and to keep us from dangers seen and unseen. You see, knowledge is not enough. School is not enough. Experience does not teach us all we need to know in life either. All we go through in life must be run through God's grid so that we are sure we are acting according to His will. When we properly apply our knowledge to what we are experiencing, along with God's Word, then we are acting wisely! Wisdom comes from God. Proper application of knowledge can only come from the Creator of all that is and ever will be. So as we go through life . . . learing, experiencing, failing and succeeding, know that God has our future in His hands. As we trust Him over time, we begin to experience His wisdom and eventually His peace and we trust Him. So we can press on . . .

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:14)