This is an excellent question, for even though these two are related they are not the same. Wisdom can be been defined as “the ability to judge what is true and right.” Knowledge means “to know something through experience or study.” It has been said that “Wisdom is applying the knowledge we have,” which leads to blessing for ourselves and others. Knowledge without wisdom can lead to pride. The apostle Paul recognized this and warned us in 1 Corinthians 8:1 that “knowledge puffs up” (NKJV).

The book of Proverbs speaks of wisdom and knowledge throughout its 31 chapters. It is the most practical book in the entire Bible, for it gives us “facts that we need to KNOW, and the WISDOM to apply those facts” in our everyday living. In Proverbs 1:7 we read, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” We may gather all kinds of knowledge but the most important is to KNOW “the fear of the LORD.” Once we do have this knowledge, we can then apply it practically in every area of our life. Solomon, the author of this book, gained this knowledge as a young boy but he needed wisdom from God to use it. In 1 Kings 3:4 we learn that the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and He said “Ask what I shall give thee.” To his credit he answered the Lord with these words in verses 7-9, “And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And Thy servant is in the midst of thy people which Thou hast chosengive therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this Thy so great a people.” Solomon KNEW THE FEAR OF THE LORD and in humility he asked FOR WISDOM TO JUDGE THE PEOPLE! We see in verse 10 that  God was extremely pleased with Solomon’s request and in verse 12 He answers him, “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart.” I would encourage you to read verses 15-27 where Solomon’s wisdom was tested immediately and he displayed such remarkable wisdom that we read, in verse 28: “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was with him, to do judgment.”

Is the “wisdom of God” with you? As we have seen, we need the KNOWLEDGE which produces a reverential fear of the Lord first, and then WISDOM can apply that knowledge. I believe we can gain this KNOWLEDGE as we learn of the Lord Jesus Christ. I would also encourage you to read Proverbs 8:1-21 where the value of WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE is brought out in every verse. In verses 22-36 WISDOM is personified and it becomes clear that the whole passage is speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. This agrees with what the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:3 when he said this about Christ, “In Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” He also told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that Christ is “the wisdom of God” and then in verse 30 he said, “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom.” Do you want wisdom, dear fellow-believer? We have all the wisdom we need in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ! But first we need to gain the KNOWLEDGE of Christ, before we can experience the WISDOM of Christ. In view of this truth I will end this short meditation by quoting the last words of the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”  (188.9)  (DO)