Knowledge is not the same as wisdom. In fact, some of the wisest people you’ll encounter may have little to no formal schooling while some knowledgeable people lack the understanding to know when it’s time to listen rather than talk! So, what’s the dividing line between smart and wise? It’s certainly not gray hair!
So, at what point do we stand and say, “I’ve arrived! I now wear the crown of wisdom and no longer need to learn!”? Is it when you’ve earned your doctorate? When you’ve raised successful children? When you’ve achieved x number of milestones in your career? When you’ve written a best-selling manual?
I would say that no such point exists!
One who is thought of as wise would be characterized as being willing to learn, considerate of the thinking of others, and humble enough to realize that they really don’t know it all! Interestingly, as I read the word of God, I see wisdom repeatedly linked to willingness to learn!
When I first started working in the public school system, I came with 16 years of experience working with children and teens. During that first semester, I shared a classroom with a teacher that was fresh out of college. How easily I could have placed myself in the mentor role, relegating the fresh-faced graduate to being my mentee. But wisdom wouldn’t allow me to dismiss all that she brought to the table! Her updated understanding of pedagogy, combined with her knowledge of current educational resources, were just what I needed to navigate my first year as a public school teacher. In turn, this new teacher was also open to my ideas and suggestions learned through years of experience. We made a great team then, and I still learn from her today!
Wisdom is so much more than knowing stuff! Being able to spout off tidbits of knowledge or information will cause us to do more talking than listening! This “rolodex syndrome” can keep us focused on hearing our own voice instead of valuing the art of listening and learning from others.
“The heart of the wise will easily accept instruction. But those who do all the talking are too busy to listen and learn.” Proverbs 10:8a TPT
Worse than the “rolodex syndrome” is the “I know better delusion.” This is the idea that we know ourselves so well, or we have so much experience, or we are plenty intelligent (or old) enough to not need input, direction, or correction from anyone else. This lack of humility breeds disdain for the ideas of others, even those who should have the opportunity to speak into our lives.*
Knowledge is having information. Wisdom is knowing when and how to apply that information effectively! Sometimes that means tapping into others and learning from their experience and understanding. Sometimes that means delaying action based on the Lord’s direction or the counsel of a wise friend. Sometimes that means taking our plans to the Father and simply leaving them at His feet. Always, wisdom requires that we humble ourselves and value input that comes from outside of us! What we do with that input is dependent on the Lord’s direction. But being willing to receive that input is the mark of wisdom.
It grieves my heart when I encounter someone who is unteachable. I’m sure you’ve met a few people like this too. They are not interested in growing as a person and see no need to glean wisdom from others. This heart posture waves off instruction and misses the opportunity for deep understanding. No one offers them input that is valued as higher than their own. Honor is only their expectation, not their gift for another.
Conversely, being teachable is a beautiful attitude of the heart! One who is teachable glows with expectation and appreciates time invested in them. A teachable heart and mind is equally delightful in the old as well as the young. When I encounter teachability in another, it makes me want to reflect that character trait even more! Proverbs 21:11 in the Passion Translation says that the wise are teachable. I want to jump up and down and say, “That’s me! That’s me!”
Wisdom is so valued by the Lord, that He had Solomon write repeatedly about its value. James reminds us that if we feel that we lack wisdom, to ask for it! But in asking for wisdom, you and I must humble our hearts to receive that wisdom, even if it doesn’t come from where we’d expect it. The ultimate source of wisdom is the Holy Spirit! James 3 tells us that wisdom from above is always pure, considerate, willing to yield, and teachable. It is filled with love, peace, and mercy. When you receive input, correction, or direction from others, the Holy Spirit will enable you to know if, how, and when to apply that knowledge.
Teachable heart check:
- Do I think I’m always right?
- Am I willing to receive ideas from others of any age, any ethnicity, any gender?
- Is the goal of my communication to convince others to believe the way I do?
- Am I open to conversations with those of a different religious persuasion?
- Do I honor my peers or only those in authority?
- Am I willing to hear the thoughts of someone whose opinion is different than mine?
- Do I value political agreement more than relational connection?
- Am I a respectful listener, regardless of who is speaking?
- Do I believe that I know more than most of those around me?
- Am I authentically engaged or am I rolling my eyes on the inside?
Amen or oh my? I’m challenged to purposefully choose to be teachable in heart and spirit!
As we enter into a new year, we have a new opportunity to choose to be teachable again!
Dear Father, I choose a heart posture that honors You and allows the Holy Spirit to have His way in me! May my teachable heart and spirit enable me to grow in every area and receive the blessings found in honoring others that You place in my life! Make me more like you, Daddy! Amen!
Live Loved,
P.S. If this blog challenged and encouraged you, please share on social media! I welcome your input as well, so please comment. 🙂
*Caveat: Not everyone should have the authority to speak into your life. But hopefully, you’ve cultivated honorable relationships that allow others to speak truth, challenge, and encouragement to you!
