I was recently shocked to discover that someone had been reading my blog, and actually used it as motivation to accomplish something great. I immediately panicked. Why? Because I don’t view myself as a particularly wise person. Intelligent? Yes, under certain circumstances I’d call myself “smart” but that doesn’t have anything to do with Wisdom. I know lots of devastatingly intelligent people who don’t have the wisdom to keep from wrecking their lives. One of my favorite writers, in fact, continually flaunts his MENSA qualifications and IQ score, and yet he’s lambasted as a bigot (and several other nasty monikers) because he’s hot-headed, stubborn, and generally unwise. His skill in writing is second to none (in my opinion) but as a person, I wouldn’t really like him.
So what’s the difference, really? You might think Wisdom is just the application of being Smart, but that’s not the case. But if Wisdom isn’t the same as intelligence, what is it?
Wisdom – the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience
I especially like the phrase “application of experience.” So, by definition, can you be wise without experience? No, you can’t. But so often we try to bypass the whole time requirement of wisdom, and substitute Brains instead. Because, if we’re smart, gosh darn it, we should be able to make the right decision every time, right? If I think about it enough, the answer will come to me.
Oh, how I wish that were the case.
Unfortunately (as I know from experience) we tend to let our “intelligence” get us in positions where we should have waited instead of making an immediate choice. For years I lived this way, and in some ways I still do. But the older I get, the more I’m learning to think before I act. Sometimes the obvious answer isn’t so obvious. Sometimes Brains aren’t enough to get through a tough situation. You need to wait, be patient, and apply experience to make sound actions.
But I’m an impatient man. Waiting, to me, usually seems like a waste of time because I could be doing something. But that assumes I’m going to accomplish everything under my own strength, and therein lies the problem. If you’re doing it yourself, then yes, there’s no reason to wait around. The sooner you act, the sooner you’re done. But that doesn’t take experience into account.
When you’re relying on God for guidance, waiting can be an extremely powerful tool. You put the decision off until you know you’ve got no other viable choice. Your sense of urgency rests in the fact that you know God is in control, and you’re no longer rushing headlong into situations, expecting your Brains to get you through. I’ve got news for you! Brains will lure you into a false sense of security, and let you down.
But what does Godly Wisdom look like? That’s pretty easy to describe, but much harder to do. James 3:17-18 says:
But 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.
You see that? Wisdom is considerate. Submissive. Merciful. Not prideful, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Intelligence says “I have all the answers.” Wisdom says “I know all the answers can’t be known. I want to ask the questions that really matter.”
Are you smart, and/or wise? I would take Wisdom any day over smarts. But I only know that from experience… 😉