Is wisdom a result of age? Does it come from experience? Does vast knowledge produce wisdom?
The aged are not always wise, though more often than the young. Experience is a good and sometimes frightful teacher, and yet many never seem to learn from it. Some of the most learned and intelligent persons are the most stupid (1).
I conclude that you must want wisdom: “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.” (Proverbs 3:13-15)
Secondly, you must seek and gain wisdom: “Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:5-7) Many seek, but few acquire. Remember the philosophers at the Areopagus? In reaction to Paul preaching the Gospel, the crowd at the marketplace in Athens replied, “(Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)” (Acts 17:21) They constantly sought wisdom (information really), being among those who are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7)
Thirdly, since wisdom is the application of knowledge and discernment, you must practice it. Not to do so is foolishness, and no further wisdom may be gained. I believe this to be true because the “one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17), and “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18).
- STUPID Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster , observe adjective entry 3: “marked by or resulting from unreasoned thinking or acting”. I take this to mean that you can have thinking (intelligence even) but don’t use it for whatever various reasons.
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