“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” (Proverbs 4:7)
We are fortunate to live in a time in which knowledge is literally at our fingertips. Google can provide the answer to almost any question in just seconds. Rather than having to spend hours at a library looking for an answer, we can find what we want to know almost instantly.
Knowledge, however, is very different from wisdom. Knowledge is important and some have said that knowledge is power. In reality, though, knowledge is power only when we know how to use it. That is where wisdom comes in.
How can we develop and increase our level of wisdom? One of the primary ways is by learning how to be teachable. While knowledge can be gained almost instantly, that does not translate to wisdom. A person who is teachable, however, will gain not only knowledge, but also how to apply that knowledge.
I think that there are three factors that help us stay teachable:
1. Humility– Realizing that we do not have all the answers is an important first step to becoming wise. Even understanding that we often do not even know the right questions to ask is a key to gaining wisdom. Pride and wisdom cancel each other out. I have never met a wise person who was also arrogant.
2. Always learning– The wisest people I know are always learning. They are always reading, always taking classes, and always asking questions. They not only want to expand their base of knowledge, they want to learn how to apply that knowledge correctly.
3. Willing to learn from anyone– Wise people learn from everyone they meet. They understand that anyone might have something to teach them. They are always willing to lay their ego or position aside to learn something new. They are never afraid to look foolish in their quest to become wise.
What other factors do you think lead to someone becoming wise?
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