DEFINITION OF WISDOM AND INTELLIGENCE
The Bible tells us that a Christian should be intelligent and wise. However, the intelligence and wisdom referred to in the Bible are not the same as those thought or defined by the world. For example, in daily life, the student who gets the highest grades in a class is considered the most intelligent, and intellectuals who are invited to certain television programs to give their opinion on a topic are considered wise. For God, the matter is very different. Let’s see how the Word defines wisdom and intelligence:
“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.'” Job 28:28
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” Psalms 111:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
In conclusion, after reading these four verses, it is clear that the meaning of both words is:
WISDOM: Fear of God.
INTELLIGENCE: Knowledge of the Most High and departing from evil.
The Lord commands us in His Word to learn His commandments and statutes and to put them into practice so that we may be intelligent and wise. Let us carefully read the following verses:
“Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'” Deuteronomy 4:6
“In the aged is wisdom, and in length of days understanding. With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding.” Job 12:12-13
“Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:104
“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:3-6
“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” Proverbs 16:16
WISDOM OF THE WORLD
The Word of God is very clear in indicating to us that the “wisdom and intelligence of this world” are of no use if we do not have “wisdom and intelligence from God.” It also tells us how the “wise of this world” are nothing before God. On this matter, the Bible gives us these verses to reflect upon:
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness.‘” 1 Corinthians 3:19-20
“Professing to be wise, they became fools,” Romans 1:22
“For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’” 1 Corinthians 1:19
The Word teaches us that in order to prosper, we must be “wise and intelligent according to God,” and not “wise and intelligent according to the world.” Read [Deuteronomy 28].
DOES THE WORLD WANT US TO BE WISE?
Undoubtedly, the world does not seek for us to be wise and intelligent according to God. In fact, it always seeks different doctrines that deviate from the truth or try to excuse the existence of God and the reality of the Word. The Bible warns:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,” Colossians 2:8
Therefore, we must be very careful about what we see, hear, and allow ourselves to be influenced by. Whenever I delve into the Word on this topic, I am reminded of what happened in the desert with the Israelites. Moses went to pray on Mount Sinai, and when the Israelites saw that he was taking a long time to return, they made a golden calf. [Read Exodus 32: The golden calf]
How was it possible for them to worship another God? Why did Aaron himself offer to follow the desires of the crowd and make the golden calf himself? Who influenced the people to not be wise (to not fear God)?
The answer to these questions is found in the following verse:
“A large number of other people and many sheep, cattle, and goats also went up with them.” Exodus 12:38
Indeed, not only Israelites but people of all kinds of beliefs and practices came out of Egypt. Those people, along with some Israelites who were not firm in their faith in God, influenced the crowd to not be wise (to not fear God) and to sin against God.
Therefore, in the New Testament, the Word warns us about the prediction of apostasy:
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,” 1 Timothy 4:1
“Reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.” 1 Timothy 4:7
CONCLUSION
I have had the opportunity to work for more than 15 years in the university environment. And in all the universities where I have worked, I have always noticed something that caught my attention: university professors are intellectuals and experts in various subjects who have studied for many years, but nevertheless, success or prosperity in most of them is very low and limited.
I have known professors who have earned doctorates from the best universities in the United States or Europe, and some of them have had a presence in the media as opinion leaders (wise in their field), but they were not blessed by God. I have also seen several cases of academics who have reached an advanced age and could not retire because they had not been prosperous; this is undoubtedly very sad (so many years of life, so much worldly wisdom, and ending in poverty).
In conclusion, it is important to prepare and be competent individuals, but it is useless to have a profession, occupation, and to be all “wise and intelligent of the world” if we do not fear God and have knowledge of the Most High. If as we climb in our professional life and in worldly wisdom, we let ourselves be carried away by the crowd that does not seek God, in the end we will not see God’s blessing (and even less the promised land).
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