All three—skills, intelligence, and wisdom—are important both in this world and to God. Skill refers to the ability to perform a specific task with proficiency. It is often the result of training, practice, or experience in a particular area. The good news about skills is that they can be developed and improved over time. Skills are usually context-specific, meaning they are applied in specific situations or activities.
(Exodus 31:1-5)1NIV New International Version Translations – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.'”
Moses had a lot of important work for his people to do. He needed to build a tabernacle, a residence for God. Besides materials, Moses also needed labor. Acquiring skills was a process combining learning, practice, and experience. But God points out that to do God’s work, the workers must also be filled with the Spirit of God and hold in their hearts the wisdom that God has planted in them. Later, King David would point out: “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank” (Proverbs 22:29). The value of a skill or even a specific knowledge (intelligence) is that it often leads to positions of honor and influence in this world. God still has a lot of important work to do here. God needs knowledgeable and skilled people to work hard for him.
(Colossians 3:23-24) – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
This passage encourages us to approach our work with diligence, using our God-given skills, with the understanding that we are ultimately serving the Lord. Even our mistakes can become valuable learning opportunities and work toward accomplishing God’s plans. Of course, having a good mentor can significantly accelerate our skill development too.
The Bible, however, does not explicitly use the term “intelligence” in the way we commonly understand it today. Intellect involves the capacity for abstract thinking and the ability to understand complex ideas. Intelligence is often considered to be a more inherent and innate capacity, although it can be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Without God’s influence, we will find intellect (or should it be wisdom) void of revelation and inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Here are a few examples:
(Proverbs 2:6) – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
(Proverbs 3:13-18) – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”
The Bible places a much higher value on understanding gained through wisdom. In biblical terms, wisdom is the ability to apply skills, knowledge, and understanding in a way that aligns with God’s principles. The emphasis is not only on intellectual capacity (intelligence) but also on the moral and spiritual dimensions of discernment and decision-making (wisdom). In other words, without God, intelligence is limited by the contents of our world, and we have nothing more! “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
Where are we going wrong? Is it in how intelligence is valued and applied within our society? Intelligence remains a critical metric in an educational system. Students are assessed based on their intellectual abilities through exams, projects, and other academic activities. Intelligence is often considered a key factor in academic success (one’s IQ, for example). Yet our society has removed both God and morality from its educational systems. In our workforce, intelligence is highly valued (advanced educational degrees, for example). Employers seek individuals with problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and the capacity to adapt to new challenges. Jobs in technology, science, engineering, finance, and other knowledge-intensive fields often require high levels of intelligence. Yet, in many businesses, both God, morality, and ethics are missing.
There is a belief that technology and artificial intelligence (AI) may someday fix these issues. Leaders need to make informed decisions, strategize, and navigate complex situations, all of which require a certain level of intelligence. Leadership requires intelligent individuals who excel in communication and collaborative consensus-building. However, by excluding God from their intellect (wisdom), they limit problem-solving to this world’s knowledge, history, and truth. Computers hold the biased opinions of a thousand generations. Computers do not believe in God. Computers cannot pray. Computers and data do not include the knowledge of creation or the concepts of time before our world even existed, nor will they understand our world after it ceases to exist. And most importantly, computers do not have the love of Christ, the Incarnate Creator of us all!
Wisdom will always remain more complex and multifaceted. It involves the ability to make sound judgments, exercise discernment, and apply knowledge practically and ethically. Wisdom must include elements of empathy, emotion, humility, and a deep understanding of human nature and the complexities of life and death itself. Wisdom comes only with experience and reflection. It’s not solely about cognitive ability but also about emotional and moral maturity. It is also about understanding God’s truth!
In summary, our world focuses on the concept of “intelligence,” cognitive abilities, analytical skills, and problem-solving, while ignoring the broader range of qualities, including emotional intelligence, moral discernment, and a deep understanding of the human condition. Many in our world may be highly intelligent but are not necessarily wise. They cannot apply their knowledge in a way that reflects sound judgment and a deep understanding of the consequences of one’s actions (cause and effect). We sometimes call this “common sense.” And yes, common sense involves accepting the belief that our God is real and believing that the gospel’s message of faith, hope, and eternal salvation is real too.
(Proverbs 9:10) – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Contemplations
- Why do you think that year after year, fewer and fewer people believe there is a God?
- Ideas to explore: While this is a statistical fact, we all should begin wondering about the cause. Is it one group or the other? Is it the media? Is it who we elect?
- What happens to our world as fewer and fewer people believe in God?
- Ideas to Explore: We lose hope. Chaos and crime grow. The risks of a destructive war grow. Prosperity diminishes.
- Do you believe that the chaos in our world is a punishment from God?
- Ideas to Explore: If you still believe in God and believe He is in charge, then what is the reason for the chaos?
- Do you believe that subsequent generations can reverse the negative pressures on society?
- Ideas to Explore: Are your beliefs strong enough to make a difference? Do you believe that the beliefs of subsequent generations will be strong enough to make a difference?
- Why, year after year, are we electing people who hate our country and hate our God?
- Ideas to Explore: Have you thought deeply about the causes that are dividing our population?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations