Our world these days seems to be obsessed with knowledge. A college degree in America is becoming the equivalent to what a high school diploma or GED used to be - a near requirement for any job because of the sheer number of other people with the same amount of education, not something that will set you apart from the pack. To stand out these days, you need at least a Master's degree, if not a PhD. The fastest increasing quantity of anything on this planet is the amount of information that we are gathering. It has been increasing exponentially over the last 20 years, and shows no signs of slowing down. Everywhere you look - the internet, TV, movies, books, radio, random factbooks and quizzes...we are constantly having new information shoved in our faces.
It's easy to think that you're important because of the sheer amount of information you possess. It's easy to think highly of yourself because you have acquired a lot of knowledge. But God makes a stark distinction between wisdom and knowledge. You may have knowledge, He says in Ecclesiastes, but you will only be preserved if you also have wisdom.
Once you are faced with a difficult decision, you will understand what God is talking about. I understand only too well. I am currently wrestling with the decision of whether I should stay in South Korea for another year, or return to America to complete grad school. They both have plenty of pros and not many cons, making my choice a very difficult one. I've done my homework, I've researched both, I have plenty of knowledge about my options. But when it comes down to it, wisdom is what I'm lacking.
And wisdom is what I need. Wisdom to realize what God's best is for me. Wisdom, and discernment to filter out all of the pointless information and just focus on what's truly important. Really, when it comes down to it, all of the information and knowledge that we are so proud of can become distracting. It's like trying to write a doctoral dissertation in a roomful of blaring TVs and flickering computer screens. It takes your attention off of what really matters.
That's why we need wisdom so desperately. Our generation is suffering from a severe case of information overload. We spend all of our lives frenetically trying to increase our knowledge, and never get the wisdom from the Lord to know how to properly use what we have learned. Don't keep looking for knowledge. You will find knowledge without looking for it. Look for wisdom; ask God for wisdom. That's where the real value lies.
It's easy to think that you're important because of the sheer amount of information you possess. It's easy to think highly of yourself because you have acquired a lot of knowledge. But God makes a stark distinction between wisdom and knowledge. You may have knowledge, He says in Ecclesiastes, but you will only be preserved if you also have wisdom.
Once you are faced with a difficult decision, you will understand what God is talking about. I understand only too well. I am currently wrestling with the decision of whether I should stay in South Korea for another year, or return to America to complete grad school. They both have plenty of pros and not many cons, making my choice a very difficult one. I've done my homework, I've researched both, I have plenty of knowledge about my options. But when it comes down to it, wisdom is what I'm lacking.
And wisdom is what I need. Wisdom to realize what God's best is for me. Wisdom, and discernment to filter out all of the pointless information and just focus on what's truly important. Really, when it comes down to it, all of the information and knowledge that we are so proud of can become distracting. It's like trying to write a doctoral dissertation in a roomful of blaring TVs and flickering computer screens. It takes your attention off of what really matters.
That's why we need wisdom so desperately. Our generation is suffering from a severe case of information overload. We spend all of our lives frenetically trying to increase our knowledge, and never get the wisdom from the Lord to know how to properly use what we have learned. Don't keep looking for knowledge. You will find knowledge without looking for it. Look for wisdom; ask God for wisdom. That's where the real value lies.
Ecclesiastes 7:12-25
12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves those who have it.
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves those who have it.
13 Consider what God has done:Who can straighten
what he has made crooked? 14 When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one
as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover
anything about their future.
but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one
as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover
anything about their future.
15 In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:
the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
16 Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—why die before your time?
18 It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other.
Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
16 Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—why die before your time?
18 It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other.
Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
19 Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful
than ten rulers in a city.
than ten rulers in a city.
20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous,
no one who does what is right and never sins.
no one who does what is right and never sins.
21 Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you—
22 for you know in your heart
that many times you yourself have cursed others.
or you may hear your servant cursing you—
22 for you know in your heart
that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23 All this I tested by wisdom and I said,
“I am determined to be wise”— but this was beyond me.
24 Whatever exists is far off and most profound—
who can discover it?
25 So I turned my mind to understand,
to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things
and to understand the stupidity of wickedness
and the madness of folly.
24 Whatever exists is far off and most profound—
who can discover it?
25 So I turned my mind to understand,
to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things
and to understand the stupidity of wickedness
and the madness of folly.
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