Wisdom, Knowledge and Commonsense
Walk In Your Gifting
Author: Pat Aman
June 6, 2008rev.2023
Joe and I have two daughters. They both are very intelligent. They both have degrees in Chemistry and Biology.
Now as for myself, I do not have that much of knowledge about Science.
I love Bible Theology, History and Literature. And I can teach on these subjects, they are my gifting.
But because I have listen to them talk Science with their Dad who is also
acknowledgeable about Science, I can relate to some of the things they talk about. And I have learned a lot by helping them study for tests. And helping them prepare for their Boards, in their careers. But, still these subjects are not my gifting.
But, I will let you know that I would never try to put myself on the same level with them, because that is not my gift, an I do not have the knowledge that they have, because that is their gift.
My Wisdom on this tells me that if I worked in a Science Laboratory, I would probably do something wrong, mix the wrong chemicals and blow the Lab up. You would be reading in the Newspaper, “Pastor, destroys Chemistry Lab. Not sure what she was doing there, but under Investigation. More news to come, when pieces put back together.”
Even though they are younger than I am, I still would not try to use my
age to make myself knowledgeable enough to fill their shoes, because
Science is not my gift. See, I am using Wisdom here.
If I have a Science or Math question, I will call my daughter Tara, she
has taught Math and Science. She now has her Doctorate in Education and in the Administration Field of Education. And yes, when I taught the GED for Central Carolina Community College, I did call her about a Geometry problem. And she walked me through it as I wrote her explanation on the graph board for the students.
And if I need Medical advice about our animals, I will call my daughter Anna, because she is a Surgical Veterinarian.
But, I have had both my daughters tell me that mama we appreciate you, because even though you may not be knowledgeable on a certain subject, you never try to act like you do. Also, we love you because you do have the Wisdom to not try to be something you are not, and your wisdom Mama is greater than our knowledge most of the time.
So, Wisdom verses Knowledge. Yes! I believe with all my heart that wisdom
comes with age. Knowledge comes from learning. But without Wisdom, knowledge fails.
Joe and I will be 70 years young on our next birthdays. So, we are already both over a half of century old. We have gain a great bit of knowledge, but we both will tell you that we wish that we had the Wisdom back then that we do now.
Col 1:9-10 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
In the Bible the word most used for wisdom is “hokmah,” which refers to
skill. Hokmah is used to describe the skill of craftsmen, sailors, and other workers. These workers, having the knowledge of their trade, also had the skill or wisdom to perform their trades.
My Ministry Gift, (Job,) is Pastor/Evangelism, Teaching Bible and starting/organizing the work area of church the local church. I possess the knowledge of all the components required in filling this positions.
Obviously from being a Pastor/Evangelist, I possess the knowledge of all the components required Pastoring and building a church and helping a church to grow. I know where thing needs to fit together to make a church run as it should, and also, God gives me the Discerning Spirit to know what positions that people need to be placed in, within the church, and what position they need to be removed from, if they are trying to do something that is not their gift.
Some may say or even think about themselves that they have the knowledge to Pastor/Evangelize a church, but they lack the skill or wisdom to apply this knowledge to the actual task of doing it. Their lack of wisdom prevents them from successfully doing the job correct.
Just like when I taught in the public school system, but had retired, I had a Principal come to me and told me that they were having a Math teacher to leave just a few weeks before school was to let out, and he wanted to know if I would come back and teach her class. I told him no, because I was not comfortable with Math.
See, it was Algebra, and I am sorry, but Math is not my gift. Now I could
have said yes, and went in and tried to teach the class, but it would have
been very boring to them, and they would not have learned, because I did not have the capable knowledge of teaching them, so I use Wisdom to say NO! Now again, who would have suffered because of me not wanting my pride bruised, and I had taken the position? The students. The Principal said he really respected me for not taking the class, and being honest with him.
Now, yes, in my years, in the school system, I did fill in a time or two
in a Science, Math, and even a Spanish Class, but I had to go straight by the book, and notes that the teacher left for me to follow. Why? I did not have the capable knowledge to teach these subjects. Did the students learn, yes, only because I had the Wisdom to know I needed to follow the teacher’s notes and also, I was not embarrassed to call on the students in the class whom understood the subject and helped the others?
You may say didn’t that make you feel foolish? No! I would really have made myself look foolish for trying to teach someone, something, that I did not understand myself.
Similarly, we can read the Bible everyday and we can even memorize passages in the Bible. We can know all about the Bible. We can memorize how many books are in each Testament. We can memorize where each book is placed in the Bible. We can even read devotionals everyday. We know where to find what; we can tell people what passages to read for different situations. But, do we have the skill, the wisdom to apply this knowledge to everyday life? Do we have the wisdom to put all the pieces together?
Proverbs 2:10-12, When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man.
In the spiritual realm a person who possesses hokmah in reference to God is one who is both knowledgeable and experienced in following God’s way.
So in the Bible’s Wisdom literature being wise means being skilled in godly living. Having God’s wisdom means having the ability to cope with life in a God-honoring way.
Crawford H. Toy wrote, “wisdom is the knowledge of right living in the highest sense.”
My prayer is that everyday you will gain both knowledge and wisdom. I pray that you will practice living in a God-honoring and Christ-Centered manner. Have a great day and may God bless each of you.
Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat
(Nehemiah 8:10)
“The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength.”
Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….
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