Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22″How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:20-22 (ESV)
In the New Testament, the word disciple literally means “a learner.” The Christian is called to be enrolled in the school of Christ. Careful study of the Bible is necessary for true discipleship.
Jesus said to His own students: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32). Our Lord calls for a continued application of the mind to His Word. A disciple does not dabble in learning. He makes the pursuit of an understanding of God’s Word a chief business of his life.
The wisdom literature of the Old Testament distinguishes between knowledge and wisdom, just as the New Testament distinguishes between knowledge and love. Knowledge without love merely puffs up with pride. Yet the love that edifies is not a love without contentment. Likewise, the Old Testament makes it clear that one can have knowledge without wisdom.
Since we can have knowledge without love and/or knowledge without wisdom, we tend to downplay the importance of knowledge. The wisdom literature of the Old Testament never views the difference between knowledge and wisdom as a difference between the bad and the good. Rather, the distinction is one between the good and the better. It is good to attain knowledge; it is better to achieve wisdom.
Coram Deo
Is after the pursuit of an understanding of God’s Word the chief aim of your life?