Proverbs 9:12 (NLT)
12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT)
10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

So often we confuse knowledge with wisdom. We have a ton of knowledge today. We know more than ever before. However, in the west, we walk away from the wisdom of Christ and the wise decisions we are taught. Are riots wise? Are “safe spaces” wise? Is lack of meaningful discourse wise? Is shouting down someone you disagree with wise? No, none of those things are wise. None of those things lead to a better end. There are better ways forward.

Wisdom is using knowledge to make good decisions. Even if you choose to hide behind the indefensible wall of non-belief, the bible is a great book of wisdom when you study it.* Wisdom comes from experience and study. Wisdom drives good results from the knowledge we have.

What are good results? How about no broken families? How about no abject hunger or poverty? How about no slavery? How about faithful stewardship over our environment? How about no recidivism? How about raising everyone’s knowledge? How about service of others instead of self? Who will argue that those aren’t good results?

Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Psalm 37:37 (NLT)
37 Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.

Proverbs 13:12 (NLT)
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

Wisdom. What do we do with our knowledge. Do we really like the world we live in? Are we doing everything we can to make it better, or just bettering ourselves regardless of the consequences for others? Are we waiting for “they” and “them” to fix “it” while we go on our merry way? Will you go to your grave wishing you could have done more? Do you even have a heart for anyone else beyond your fence?

Christ gives us wisdom to live by that is beyond anything we can come up with ourselves. He created everything and knows what he’s talking about. That said, why do we not listen? Why do we not act on it? Why do we not live our lives on this side of the grave with that as our principal focus?

Matthew 11:28-30 New Living Translation (NLT)
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

What are good results to you? How will you get them? I’d suggest that Christ knows the way and you can follow when you embrace his wisdom.

*Yes, of course you can choose many passages out of context and not know what they are saying to say that God is hurtful and sucks. Yes, you can take many of life’s tragedies and say that a God who loves won’t do something like that. My wife, I, and our family lost a child at 30 years old, so I know something about that line of reasoning and it just doesn’t work. I’ll debate you on that any way you like.