Knowledge Wisdom Common sense – what they are – how to get them
Common Sense Verses Knowledge Verses Wisdom
Common sense, we have all heard it said: “He or she doesn’t have enough sense to come in out of the rain!” or “They have plenty of ‘book’ sense but lack any common sense”. Today there seems to be even a greater departure from the use of simple common sense. It shouldn’t surprise us. True common sense finds its roots in basic Biblical principles. Once we leave the teachings of the Bible and its wisdom behind, all thinking becomes distorted and cloudy. This is why common sense is just not that common.
Worldly Common Sense
With the growing rejection of God and the truths of His Word, reasoning is becoming more and more subjective and the lies of the world are becoming more seductive. It seems that every person is deciding, and doing, what is right in their own eyes. They make decisions that may sound reasonable or follow modern day thinking, but in the end, they lead to problems. Thus, the lack of real common sense.
Webster defines common sense “as sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.” Here’s the problem, when the truths of the Bible are not the common basis of evaluating the situation or facts bad choices will be the result. This is why well educated and intelligent people think it’s ok to kill babies. It’s why so many think FORCED redistribution of wealth is a good thing. It’s why people reject God and scorn and ridicule the righteousness. Isaiah prophesied it, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” We are in desperate need today of Biblical Common Sense.
Biblical Common Sense
Biblical common sense is not simply being practical based on the current situation, it must include having a Biblical world view coupled with a spirit of faith. Just like Godly wisdom is not the same as earthly wisdom, (James 3:15) Biblical common sense is not based on worldly values and perspective. Biblical common sense is the combination of knowledge, wisdom, and discretion. It is not just leaning on your own understanding or depending on what you see. (Pr. 3:5 & 2Cor. 5:7) It requires having a heart open to the spirit of God and an understanding of what Biblical knowledge and wisdom are.
Wisdom and Knowledge are Different
Did you know that there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom? Have you ever met someone who was like a walking encyclopedia? They had a wealth of information and knowledge stored in their brain, but they lack the ability to apply that knowledge in an appropriate and accurate manner.
What Knowledge Is
Knowledge is defined as “the state or fact of knowing; learning; awareness; the sum of what has been learned or discovered.” Knowledge is facts and information. We need to learn and gain knowledge, but it MUST include gaining knowledge of God’s Word. Knowledge apart from God’s Word is incomplete and insufficient.
Colossians 2:3 says, “And all the treasures of this wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ Jesus. Which means that nothing can be fully or rightly known without Jesus Christ. Yes, you can know things without Jesus, but you won’t fully know them and more importantly won’t know how to appropriately apply them all in the context of God’s will.
God’s unfathomable knowledge is found in Christ Jesus. All facts and events arise from him. All facts and events are sustained by him. All facts and events point to him. He is the meaning of all knowledge. There is no true knowledge that is not related to Christ. Every thought in a human mind, or in the mind of a demon, about any fact or any event in the world, that is not truly connected to Christ, is a thought in rebellion against the Truth and against God. There is no true knowledge apart from Christ.
The word of God tells us that it is important to gain knowledge. “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15) Amos 4:6 says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge”, talking about Biblical knowledge.
What Wisdom Is
Knowledge alone is not enough. For knowledge to be useful, we must be able to use that knowledge and appropriately apply it in life, that’s what wisdom is. Wisdom is defined as “the ability to make good use of the knowledge we have; and the ability to recognize right from wrong.”
Charles Spurgeon once wrote,
Wisdom is 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
Know How to Apply Knowledge
Wisdom is to know what to do next and know how to apply properly the knowledge you have. Wisdom includes knowledge, but to be wise you must know how to apply the knowledge you have.
Get Wisdom – It’s the Principle Thing
So, we need knowledge, but we must gain wisdom. Proverbs 4:7 tells us, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom.” The way we find and get wisdom is through Jesus. Just like all knowledge is in Him so is all wisdom. (Col.2:3) Proverbs 1:7 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Having a great education and a brilliant mind is helpful, but they’re not the key to true knowledge, wisdom, and common sense. God chooses the foolish things to confound the wise. You need a holy reverence for God and the things of God to gain wisdom, that’s what the fear of the Lord means.
We need Jesus. We need the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to help us navigate the perils of this world. No matter what your education, economic, or social background you can have knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and Godly common sense that comes from above through Jesus our Lord and Savior.
“He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.”
Proverbs 2:7-11 (NLT)
