We Need the Wisdom to Live

Without being politically correct, I will tell us that there is a lot of foolishness going on today everywhere. Man has overloaded himself with information and head knowledge, but lacking in wisdom on how to live a harmonious life. Indeed, we need the wisdom to live in peace with one another. And to live a meaningful life.

Whereas when you listen to the media, the radio talk show hosts, the television newscasters,  it is as if these people go to work to yell, and scream, and lie, and distort facts, and attack each other daily.  As I observe the people’s daily conduct, I say to myself, what is really going wrong? Why are learned people behaving like the unlearned? This is not really a hasty generalization. Just have a careful look or listen to people in leadership, be it any position or institution.

The faulty assumption I have is that too much information and head knowledge have robbed many of the actual need to seek wisdom Which has resulted in some learned people behaving foolishly sometimes for lack of wisdom.

A Broader Look

Well, in this article, I decided to write about the need for wisdom. I will assume you have your understanding of what wisdom is, that’s great! But you can hold it, just for the meantime, let us get a broader understanding and characteristics of wisdom in addition to what we know before.  

For the most part, I tried as much as I can not to be preachy or sound too religious. However, for a broader understanding of the concept of wisdom, I will provide us with some relevant Scriptural references on wisdom. For instance, the Bible has so much to say about wisdom, what it is how to get it and, the value of wisdom and its application..

Some Scriptural References on Wisdom

Here are just 5  Scriptural references I want to share. There are so many verses about wisdom. For instance, in Proverbs 3:13-18 it says,  “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace…

Also in Proverbs 1:7, it says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 1 Kings 4:29 – 32, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore… Solomon was wiser than all the children of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt…

“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.” -1 Corinthians 3:18

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. “-Psalm 90:12. And more references in the Bible. There so many other, verses.

Example of King Solomon’s Wisdom :

How about the story of the wisest King in the Bible – King Solomon?

He had an open check frohttps://www.gracefulabandon.com/need-wisdom/m God to ask whatever he wants. He asked for only wisdom! Could you imagine? It is me and you who know what we will ask.

If you were given such a rare opportunity to ask whatever you want, what will you ask first?

Maybe the wealth of an entire state, jets, cars, mansions, etc. But this kind understood the importance of wisdom in dealing with people, that was what he asked and he got it besides wealth and fame!

The above are very relevant passages from the Bible that are quite relevant to the topic we are discussing i.e., wisdom.

Have you ever desired to gain wisdom and understanding on how to live a life with meaning? We need wisdom to manage every aspect of life. You can gain wisdom by asking, studying, learning, by impartation, emulation, listening and so forth.

Wisdom’s Definition :

Thomas Merton once said that “we spend our entire lives climbing the ladder of success only to find the ladder leans against the wrong wall.” I couldn’t agree more. Well, let us look at the characteristics of wisdom to see if we need it or feel that we have got everything figured out.

Gerald Egan, defined wisdom as “an expertise in the conduct and meaning of life.” Or an expert knowledge system concerning the fundamental pragmatics of life.”

 Here are some characteristics of wisdom as articulated by Gerald Egan a professor Emeritus in Loyola University – Chicago.

A person of wisdom will have the following characteristics:

* Self-knowledge and maturity.

* Knowledge of life obligations and goals.

* The guts to admit mistakes and the sense to learn from it.

* A Psychological and human understanding of others; insight into human interactions.

* The ability to see through and the ability to understand the meaning of events.

* An understanding of the messiness of human beings.

* Holistic thinking; open-mindedness, open-ended ness; contextual thinking.

* An understanding of the spiritual dimensions of life.

* The ability to see relationships among diverse factors; the ability to spot flaws in reasoning; intuition; the ability to synthesize.

In conclusion, so far, we have seen the beauty and power of wisdom in a nutshell. It is about excellence in how we live our lives. How we see and treat others, how we cope with challenges of everyday life. Wisdom is indispensable. /we need the wisdom to live a holistic life!

Overall, there’s much to talk about wisdom and its importance, but for the sake of space, I have to wrap it up here. I hope you find this article useful. If you do, help me to share it with your contacts. THE NEED FOR SELF-AWARENESS