“Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times…” (Isa. 33:6 NKJ).
Wisdom and knowledge go together like a husband and wife. They complete each other.
Knowledge is facts; it is informational. Wisdom is understanding; it is directive, procedural. Knowledge provides data needed to be informed and aware. Wisdom provides the insight necessary to know how to proceed based on facts at hand.
For example, Noah had the facts about the coming worldwide flood 120 years before it arrived on the scene. But he really didn’t know what to do about that flood until a word of wisdom came to him saying, “Build an ark.”
You and I can be intuitively and sensitively cognizant of coming events in our own life. But knowledge alone is not enough. We need to wait for wisdom to show us how to proceed. James tells us if anyone lacks wisdom, it is available for the asking.
Lot and Abraham both knew that Sodom was going to end up at the bottom of the Dead Sea. Abraham knew it a week before it happened, and Lot knew it a day ahead of time. To those who are truly in tune with the Lord, knowledge always comes first because God is omniscient; He knows all things.
Proverbs 14:6 says that knowledge is easy to the person who understands (NKJ). There is not anything the Lord doesn’t know. He even invites His children to be curious enough about their future to ask Him about it (Jer. 33:3).
Once we have done that, once we have the facts, then we are to inquire and ask for wisdom and direction. With both wisdom and knowledge, we are standing on solid ground.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.