Be Wise for Your Father

It is so easy to say, “be wise”. But what is wisdom?

Wisdom: a: ability to discern inner qualities and relationships: INSIGHT, b: good sense: JUDGMENT – Merriam-Webster Online

It is one then to have knowledge of a topic or subject or instance. It is quite another to know what to do or how to use that knowledge in application. I know that there are a lot of things that I have stored up over my years that really do not have much application in the world on a day to day basis. I like to call all of that useless knowledge.

Now where useless knowledge is just that, useless, most of the time, there are times when it becomes invaluable when applied in the right circumstance. As an example, spouting off the atomic weight of iron, 55.845 u, at a dinner party is of little value. But that same bit of information in an interview for the job of a scientist is invaluable. That is the knowledge of the subject or “INSIGHT” as opposed to just having the information.

“¹The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”

— Proverbs 10:1 (ESV)

I am a father to two sons and both of them are very intelligent. They have demonstrated their knowledge in their schoolwork as well as in the world with what they have accomplished, and I am very proud of them. But, I will say, there are times that they do not really use their intelligence and it is a bit perplexing. When they are demonstrating that knowledge and wisdom in their choices to apply that knowledge I am just beaming. Yet, when they seem to have left their brain at the house when they left I can but shake my head in wonder.

All of this applies to our relationship with God, our heavenly Father as well. It is up to me to do the work and demonstrate my knowledge through application and bring my brain with me everywhere I go. I am here to please only one, and that is God. I do so as noted in the above verse by being wise. And Just what is wisdom but “INSIGHT” and “JUDGMENT”. It is my job to be conscious of my work to ensure that I am demonstrating wisdom throughout.

Of course, there will always be those times where I will not be the most wise. I will make mistakes as will we all. There will be time where I am caught up on the moment and God, as well as others will simply shake their head. But, those should be the exception to the norm and rule. I am to be focused on doing the work of Christ and when I am, I will be able to work to the application of knowledge and avoid the foolishness.

What is your approach to using that which you know? Are you out there using it foolishly? What if you were to be out there using it to demonstrate your “INSIGHT” and “JUDGMENT” and WISDOM?