Knowledge vs. Wisdom: Why You Should Know the Difference

Did you know that there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom? Did you know that even some non-Christians have the "knowledge" of Jesus dying on a cross? So why aren't they called Christians? Read on to find out why.

1. Knowledge is simply knowing facts, truths, and principles.

The Life Application Study Bible defines knowledge as "the state or fact of knowing; learning; awareness; sum of what has been learned or discovered." So in regards to Christianity, having knowledge can mean things like "knowing" that Jesus died on a cross or "knowing" that the Bible is the Word of God. Be warned, however, because even non-Christians can have the pure "knowledge" of these things. Read points #2 and #3 for more details.

2. Wisdom is knowing how to apply your existing knowledge of facts, truths, and principles.

The Life Application Study Bible defines wisdom as the "ability to make good use of knowledge; ability to recognize right from wrong." So in regards to Christianity, having wisdom can mean a great number of different things. For example, if you have the knowledge of knowing that it is a sin to have premarital sex, you can apply that knowledge (with wisdom) and flee from any tempting situations that you may encounter. Additionally, if you have an alcohol addiction and you know that having an addiction and being drunk is a sin, then apply that knowledge (with wisdom) and avoid any places or situations that might cause you to sin.

3. Most non-Christians have the same "knowledge" that Christians do, but...

There is a difference between "knowing" that a man named Jesus died on a cross and then actually "believing" what His death accomplished. If you ask a Christian, of course, we will say (and believe) that Jesus died for our sins and successfully saved us from sin. However, for a non-Christian, even though they may have the "knowledge" of a man named Jesus dying on a cross, they do not believe it actually accomplished anything (which is the main reason a non-Christian is also called a "non-believer"). So although Christians and non-Christians would have the same "knowledge" of a man named Jesus dying on a cross, Christians apply that knowledge (with wisdom) and actually believe in what Jesus' death accomplished (John 3:16, NIV).

Another example: a non-Christian can "know" (or has the knowledge) that the Bible is the Word of God; however, most would not read it or make good use out of it. A Christian, however, "knows" (or has the knowledge) that the Bible is the Word of God and will, therefore, apply that knowledge (with wisdom) and actually read it to follow the many commands and advice that it has to offer us.

4. The Bible places more emphasis on wisdom than it does on just pure knowledge.

One of the best examples in the Bible that compares pure knowledge to wisdom is in James 2:14-25 (NIV), which talks about faith and deeds. To break it down, we learn a couple of things within these verses:

1. Even though you may have the intellectual knowledge of what a Christian should do, it does not mean that you will be wise enough to actually do what you should (James 2:15-16, NIV).

2. Even demons "believe" (or in this case, have the knowledge of) there being one God (monotheism) as we are told in James 2:19 (NIV); however, they are not saved. This is comparable to a non-Christian, such as a Jewish person, that believes in one God, but they do not believe in what Jesus Christ's sacrifice accomplished.

Remember, wisdom includes knowledge (Colossians 1:9, NIV) because to be wise is to apply your existing knowledge. However, knowledge does not include wisdom.