Never Confuse Education with Intelligence – Wisdom Surpasses Mere Knowledge by Olukayode J Daniels

Never Confuse Education with Intelligence – Wisdom Surpasses Mere Knowledge

Education is valuable, but it does not automatically make a person wise. A person can have multiple degrees yet lack sound judgment, understanding, and wisdom. The Bible distinguishes between worldly knowledge and godly wisdom, emphasizing that true intelligence comes from God.

1. Education Alone Does Not Equal Wisdom

• Job 32:8-9 – "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment."
  → Academic achievements do not guarantee wisdom; true understanding comes from God.

• Ecclesiastes 7:12 – "For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it."
  → Education may offer knowledge, but wisdom gives life and direction.

• 1 Corinthians 1:19-20 – “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”
  → Worldly knowledge without divine wisdom is ultimately meaningless.

2. Many Educated People Lack Common Sense and Moral Judgment

• Proverbs 1:7 – "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
  → True intelligence starts with a reverence for God, not just acquiring degrees.

• Romans 1:22 – "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."
  → Some people boast of their education yet act foolishly because they lack wisdom.

• 2 Timothy 3:7 – "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
  → Some individuals accumulate knowledge but fail to apply it meaningfully.

3. Wisdom and Understanding Come from God, Not Just Formal Education

• James 1:5 – "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
  → Academic degrees do not grant wisdom—God does.

• Proverbs 4:7 – "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."
  → Education is good, but wisdom is far more valuable.

• Daniel 1:17 – "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams."
  → God granted Daniel and his friends not only knowledge but divine wisdom.

4. An Educated Fool Is Still a Fool

• Proverbs 26:12 – "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him."
  → Arrogance in one's education without wisdom is dangerous.

• Ecclesiastes 10:2-3 – "A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to everyone that he is a fool."
  → A fool exposes himself, no matter how educated he may be.

Conclusion

Education is important, but it should not be mistaken for wisdom, intelligence, or common sense. True intelligence is not about how many degrees one has but about one's ability to apply knowledge with wisdom and understanding. The Bible teaches that wisdom comes from God, and without it, even the most educated person can be senseless.

Final Charge

• Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."