There appears to be a progression from information to knowledge to understanding to wisdom. It may, in some way, track with the process of sanctification in the life of a Christ-follower. In both of these paths, however, I find inherent complexities.
Andy Stanley, in The Principle of the Path, does a great job of discussing the process of sanctification. Therein, he concludes that what one pays attention to will determine his (eventual/eternal) destination. His guidance is built around Proverbs 3:5,6 – trusting in the Lord will produce right(eous) outcomes.
Distinctions
Most have heard the two distinctions, “worldly wisdom” and “Godly wisdom.” In James 3:15-18 (and elsewhere: 1 Corinthians 1:20-21; 3:19, 2 Corinthians 1:12), we read of both “Godly wisdom” and “worldly wisdom.” I recently heard Patrick Lencioni (GLS2019) make the case that the only type of leadership is servant leadership, as lived out by Christ Jesus. Any other type of “leadership” looked more like an avoidance of stressful relationships than serving those in need. Perhaps that should be called “stress management” rather than “leadership.” We’re looking at another case of “the problem with words” (read more in Existence: Why Your Worldview Matters, Ch. 1).
Analogously, then, my sense is that wisdom is only of and from God (Job 28:23; 1 Corinthians 12:8) and His absolute truth. Man defines wisdom in his own image or way, based on his background, culture, and experience, i.e., his worldview (read more in Existence). Worldly wisdom can only be a relativistic term – a function of man’s assessment of what is good (see Existence, Ch. 7), right, and true. Perhaps we should call this, “smarts.” The Road Runner was loaded with “smarts,” at the expense of Wile E. Coyote. Can one with “smarts” help another with some issue? Maybe (James 3:14-16). Today, our culture is redefining much (Stonestreet and Kunkle, A Practical Guide to Culture) e.g., life, marriage, liberty, etc., so “smarts” doesn’t seem far-fetched. I strive to use my wordsmithing to emphasize and glorify God, not eliminate Him. I’m sticking with Wisdom (with a capital W) and “smarts.”
Wisdom’s Origin
According to Proverbs 8, Wisdom was the first of God’s creation, “the Lord brought me [Wisdom] forth as the first of His works, before His deeds of old” (v. 22). Those deeds of old included His creation of the earth (v. 23) and the heavens (v. 27). The clear message is that all of His Creation was Wisely done (v. 30), “and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Moreover, we also get, implicitly, the definition of good (all that He says or does) and evil, i.e., that which is anti-God, namely sin. The irony of the Proverbs is that they were penned by one (Solomon) who was gifted, directly by God, with Wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:7, 11-12), but one who also strayed far outside the boundaries set by God (2 Chronicles 7:17-22), well beyond “smarts,” to the detriment of all Israel.
Let’s look at the beginning of the progression: information and knowledge. Briefly (see Existence, Ch. 11, for more detail) information issues from the mind(s) of the one(s) with the original thought(s). It is or can be a collection of data, factual or not. Knowledge is information that has been received by or from the mind of another. Superficially, these two elements can be viewed without a theistic component. The apostle Paul relates that some knowledge is Godly treasure (Colossians 2:3). If one regresses back to the original mind (God’s), all ideas came from His mind (Proverbs 2:6).
What about bad ideas? They’re not God’s – they are, for one, the compounding of the sinful (evil) thoughts and actions of man. The consequences produce, over generations in some cases, the bad ideas and “bad things, that happen to ‘good’ people.” If there were no consequences of sin (evil), there would be chaos. Man’s inhumanity to man produces “bad things.” Prior to Eve eating the apple, man had no need for the discernment that comes from Wisdom – there was no evil in his life – the Lord had no reason to share (His) Wisdom! Satan had deceived and manipulated Eve to think she needed “smarts,” in the name of Wisdom (Genesis 3:5,6). Since the Fall, Wisdom has become priceless (Job 28:15-19) –a necessary attribute for a life of rest, hope, peace, and joy.
Understanding
Understanding is the application of knowledge to achieve the desired outcome. That understanding can be either Godly or worldly. If the outcome was righteous, the understanding was Godly. If not, then worldly. The Lord clarifies Godly understanding: “to shun evil is understanding” (Job 28:28b). Moreover, He relates, through Paul, that we can have “the full riches of complete [Godly] understanding” (Colossians 2:2). Most of the time, the context in which understanding (and knowledge, perhaps to a lesser degree) is used will indicate whether it is Godly or secular.
If you have Wisdom, you have the best understanding with which to make the most of your knowledge and the information you glean (Romans 16:19b). I think the process becomes cyclical (much like the scientific method) – discernment grows, information becomes knowledge, Godly understanding abounds, Wisdom blossoms, and one’s worldview expands. God, Himself gives us the working definition of Wisdom “The fear of [respect for; reverence for; love of; obedience to (Matthew 7:24), etc.] the Lord – that is [demonstrates] Wisdom” (Job 28:28a).
