The Difference Between Knowledge, Understanding & Wisdom

Do you desire to build a strong and godly life, family, business, or ministry?

King Solomon, the wisest King who ever lived, gave us a way to do it.

He wrote;

“By wisdom a house is built
and by understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with every precious and beautiful treasure.”

(Proverbs 24:3-6)

Knowledge is the body or collection of truths, principles, facts, or information about someone or something. We get biblical knowledge through the study of the Bible.

Knowledge focuses on WHAT.

To know is not enough. We need to understand.

Understanding is grasping or comprehending why and how the knowledge acquired is related and relevant. Understanding is “the power to comprehend; especially the capacity to apprehend general relations of particulars.” (Merriam-Webster)

Understanding focuses on the WHY of the knowledge acquired.

People who hear the Word and don’t understand it are the seed that fell on the path. The devil steals the message that was sown in their heart, and it doesn’t benefit them. (Matthew 13:19-23)

We gain understanding through personal meditation or reflection, group discussions, debates, asking questions, and seeking answers. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in broadening our understanding, enabling us to make sense of the knowledge under examination.

The evidence you’ve understood something is being able to explain it to someone else in your own words and get it right.

Understanding is not enough. A doctor can know and understand the consequences of smoking and continue to smoke. They lack wisdom.

Wisdom involves applying, obeying, or practising what is understood. A wise person makes the right decisions at the right time. He draws from the pool of knowledge and experiences accumulated over the years to understand what needs to be done in the present, sees how it will affect the future, and takes the appropriate action.

Wisdom focuses on the HOW and WHEN.

Therefore, Biblical knowledge leads to a proper understanding, which in turn leads to wise living.

According to Jesus, the wise hear and obey biblical truth while the fool hears and doesn’t obey.  (Matthew 7:24-27)

Do you ever wonder why people fail to live godly lives, despite having plenty of knowledge? Some Christians can even have an understanding of Christian doctrines, but still not live them?

Why?

Two main reasons.

First, they lack the fear of God. The wise King Solomon wrote;

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”

Proverbs 9:10

Second, they lack the love of God. Jesus said;

“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

John 14:21

Do you fear and love God in your heart?

Your devotion to seek godly wisdom will help you flourish and bear fruit in every aspect of your life – body, mind, spirit, social interactions, and assignments.

Therefore;

“Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn from them.
Do not forsake wisdom,

and she will preserve you;
love her, and she will guard you.
Wisdom is supreme;

so acquire wisdom.
And whatever you may acquire,

gain understanding.
Prize her, and she will exalt you;
if you embrace her, she will honor you.
She will set a garland of grace on your head;
she will present you with a crown of beauty.”

Proverbs 4:5-9