Why Knowing the Facts Isn’t Enough and How Godly Wisdom Changes Everything
If there is one thing the internet has shown us, it is that there is no shortage of information. We have more information available to us today than at any other point in human history. Within seconds, we can pull up statistics, articles, videos, studies, news reports, and opinions on just about anything.
The problem is, not all information is true. And even when the information is true, that doesn’t necessarily mean we understand what it means. It can be difficult today to determine what is fake news and what is fact. One source says one thing, another says something completely different, and before long we are surrounded by so much information that everything becomes murky. Sometimes there is so much noise that it becomes difficult to discern what is actually going on.
It reminds me of the massive “data dumps” we occasionally see from government agencies or large organizations. Thousands and thousands of pages of documents are released at once. Technically, the information has been made available, but there is so much of it that finding what actually matters can become incredibly difficult.
Having access to information is not the same thing as understanding it. And understanding something is not the same thing as knowing what to do about it. That is where we need to understand the difference between information, knowledge, and wisdom.
INFORMATION TELLS YOU WHAT
Information is the facts and data we receive. It is what we read, hear, watch, and discover. Information says, “The stove is hot.” There is nothing wrong with information. We need good information. In fact, making good decisions usually begins with having accurate information. But information alone isn’t enough. You can have thousands of facts at your fingertips and still have absolutely no idea what they mean.
KNOWLEDGE HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND WHY
Knowledge takes information and begins to understand it. If information says, “The stove is hot,” knowledge says, “If I touch that hot stove, it will burn me.” Knowledge connects the dots. It asks questions. It seeks understanding. It looks beyond simply knowing the facts and tries to comprehend what those facts actually mean.
This is why Proverbs says:
“Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.”
Proverbs 20:15 NIV
Think about that. Gold isn’t rare compared to someone who actually knows what they are talking about. We live in a world where everybody has an opinion. Everybody has a platform. Everybody can post. Everybody can comment. But lips that speak knowledge are still a rare jewel.
WISDOM TELLS YOU WHAT TO DO
Then there is wisdom. Wisdom takes everything another step further. Information says, “The stove is hot.” Knowledge says, “If I touch it, I’ll get burned.” Wisdom says, “Then I’m not touching it.” Wisdom is the ability to properly apply what you know.
And the Bible has a lot to say about wisdom. In fact, the book of Proverbs is filled with instructions encouraging us not merely to accumulate facts, but to become wise. Proverbs 4:7 says:
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
God isn’t impressed simply because we know a lot of things. The question is, what are we doing with what we know?
WE NEED ALL THREE
This matters more today than perhaps ever before. We are drowning in information. But information without knowledge can leave us confused, and knowledge without wisdom can leave us educated but foolish. We need all three.
Information tells you WHAT. Knowledge helps you understand WHY. Wisdom tells you WHAT TO DO about it.
And ultimately, biblical wisdom begins with God. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us:
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
So don’t simply become someone who consumes more information. Don’t settle for knowing more facts than everybody else. Seek understanding. Ask God for discernment. Learn to separate truth from noise, and then have the courage and discipline to apply what you know.
My friend, learn the difference between information, knowledge, and wisdom. Because in a world overflowing with information, people who possess knowledge are rare jewels. And people who know how to apply that knowledge with godly wisdom are invaluable.
I think this version gets you to the point faster without losing the thought you were trying to establish. I would definitely keep the stove illustration, too. It’s simple enough that someone will probably remember information, knowledge, wisdom because of it.
Alex Bryant is a pastor, author, and speaker who writes about race, faith, and culture in America.
