You’ve heard the expression, “Wise up,” and maybe you have even said it yourself to someone who just made a foolish choice. How about the expression, “Don’t be a smart alec?” That has a negative connotation and rightly so. A smart alec is someone who is obnoxious because they act like they know it all. One may ask, “What does it mean to be smart versus to be wise? To be smart (without being a smart alec) involves a process of learning, but to be wise is a product of experience. A wise person knows how to apply the knowledge learned, and that is a thousand times more useful than only the possession of knowledge.
Where does intelligent fit in? Well, to be intelligent is to have the ability to easily learn or understand things – like the difference between being smart and being wise. (A little humor there. Yeah, I know. Very little!)
So, is it better to be smart or to be intelligent or to be wise? It is good to be smart and good to be intelligent, but it is better to be wise. Did you know it is easier for a wise person to gain knowledge than for a smart person to gain sound judgment? The main reason is that wisdom is built on the foundation of godly teaching. Ah, major difference with that qualifer, wouldn’t you agree?
I adapted the following poem from Job 28:
Where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value – nor is it found in the land of the living. The deep says, “It is not in me.” The rolling sea says. “It is not with me.” Pure gold cannot be given in exchange – nor can silver be weighed as its price. Diamonds or sapphires cannot equal it; coral and crystal cannot acqure it.
Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? Man cannot comprehend it – it is hidden in the land of the living.
There is a mine for silver – there’s a refiner to purify gold. Rocks are a source of sapphires, and its dust contains gold. The path no bird of prey knows – the falcon’s eye caught sight of it.
Where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? It is concealed from the birds of the sky – it is hidden from the eyes of the living.
God understands its way – He knows its place. He looks to the ends of the earth – He sees everything under the sun. He said to man, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! And to depart from evil, that is understanding!” (end of poem)
Knowledge comes from learning; Wisdom comes from living. (author unknown)
“Wisdom comes from the knowledge God gives through His Word in the holiest way with the best result for the highest purpose.” (excerpt from my book Extra Nuggets from My pocket depicting the application of knowldege.
“If we do not learn from our mistakes, there is no point in making them.” (excerpt from my book Nuggets from My Pocket showing the product of experience)