Does wisdom increase with knowing God more or does our knowledge of God come from seeking wisdom?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 NIV

The value of a life well-lived along God’s ancient paths and good ways is a security that cannot be had by any other means. Period. Knowing who and whose we are puts us in a right relationship with our Creator, the Master of the Universe. (Sorry, He-Man!) A few weeks ago, Mary Beth wrote about our inadequacy and how comforting it is to know that we need a Savior and that’s okay! So, it stands to reason that a healthy respect of the Lord will lead us to best practices for living on this Earth. My own self-scrutiny makes it clear that my chance of success in life’s endeavors increases significantly when I follow God’s commandments – just read over my past writings for this blog for some proof! 

Before I go any further, let’s define our terms! I like to think of wisdom as being able to use the knowledge I have gained through experience and education with discernment and understanding. I can also use wisdom and knowledge to obtain and apply the correct information that a situation might require.

Recently I was reading in Ephesians and came across the following verse: 

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 NIV

Whoa! It stopped me in my tracks. Wisdom first? And then knowing God? This seemed to be somewhat out of order according to the Proverbs verses about respecting the Lord. However, the Bible never contradicts itself, so I have to accept that both are true. 

Fearing God comes before knowing Him better. It is impossible to know God fully without fearing Him. So it stands to reason that both verses are correct. 

We fear God, which is the beginning of Wisdom.

Wisdom helps us to know God.

Wisdom comes from God and can be discerned by its fruit.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

The Holy Spirit helps us to know God.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

I’ve heard it said that we are living in an Information Age, and I believe it! Information is so readily available through the internet that we have come to revere its collection, storage and dissemination above most all else.  Hundreds of years ago, we human beings found ourselves in the Age of Enlightenment, when the seeking of knowledge was a highest priority. Farther back in human history, people sought wisdom more than knowledge or information. I believe that this is how God has called us to live, as wisdom seekers. After all, He created us to live in a natural world that was formed with Wisdom.   

The Lord brought me forth as the first of His works, before His deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. 

When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before He made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. 

I was there when He set the heavens in place, when He marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when He established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when He gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep His command, and when He marked out the foundations of the earth. 

Then I was constantly at His side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence, rejoicing in His whole world and delighting in mankind. 

“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. 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 8:22-36 NIV

We are people, not computers. Seeking information without a clear purpose or a framework in which to integrate it can leave us feeling disconnected, empty and frustrated. The flow of information through digital means can easily be corrupted or manipulated. (We are learning this in real time through the rise of artificial intelligence.) I personally find myself addicted to the search bar I carry around in my pocket. I have a thought or whim and, voila!, there is the information! It feels good to fulfill my desires so quickly, but the satisfaction is short lived. I am left wanting more and soon find myself spending hours researching a subject or idea. The results mostly never amount to anything, leaving me spinning in perpetual anxiety or with project paralysis from information overload. I fear I’m becoming more a google-er and less a doer.  

So how can you and I live as wisdom seekers instead of information collectors?

1. Know God, who is the foundation of all wisdom. His word contains His character and also wisdom for living!

2. Have humility. Agree with God about who you are, according to author Danielle Strickland.

3. You cannot be an expert in everything. This means less incessant googling and more creating human connection with those who ARE experts in a particular subject.

4. Take the bird’s eye view of life. There’s an eternity to prepare for!

Knowledge and information are valuable, but need to be acquired in the context of wisdom. We can think of wisdom, knowledge and information as interdependent. Wisdom is the foundation of a house. Knowledge comprises the walls and information the roof. All three are necessary for a safe place to live your life, but must be completed in that order. A roof without walls to support it wouldn’t be practical.

Understanding who we are in the context of an awesome God (fearing Him) helps us to make better decisions and proper priorities. Seeking Him and His kingdom first will yield pure fruit of peace, gentleness, reason, mercy, impartiality and sincerity.

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Colossians 2:2

ABOUT OUR BLOGGER

Sarah Flowers lives in idyllic Chadds Ford, where she is steeped in beauty and connection to the land and its history. She loves coffee and flowers and getting to know Jesus. A lifelong learner, she seeks to follow God’s plan to bring justice to the under-resourced. Sarah is a self-declared serial optimist and melodiphile; there’s always a path to the sunny side and a soundtrack for the journey! She is a mom and wife and a grateful alumna of Northwood University. Her former iterations include automotive professional and shoe diva. Sarah serves on the Deacon Team at Willowdale Chapel.