I have recently picked back up the habit of reading a Proverb every day. (There are 31 Chapters in Proverbs, good for a daily practice every month. From one of the wisest men who ever lived, you can gain insights regarding parenting, business, relationships and other approaches to life.)
One thing has been standing out more than any other. This is the idea of wisdom being discipline, decision making and/or self-control.
Or I let me say, I’m seeing a large distinctive difference between wisdom and knowledge or information.
I have heard wisdom described as the ability to use knowledge and not the knowledge itself, however that hadn’t really impacted my thinking.
But now, redefining wisdom as discipline and decision making is resonating…
Every day, and all throughout the day, we are flooded with options and choices. We spend our lives constantly choosing. Most of these decisions are unconscious habits that we’ve developed, others are a little more thought through.
Either way, in addition to an abundance of daily decisions, we also have a tons of knowledge. We often know the best decision for personal interest, the right answer for the long-term and what is most beneficial for others.
But how do we chose?
Are we able to defer immediate gratification and decide for our higher purpose and values? This ability is what I’d now call wisdom.
Wisdom isn’t necessarily knowing the right answer, but the ability to choose in line with what we already know is right.
This ability to choose is what is most needed by most people.
Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principle thing. Therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting, get understanding.”