Briefly, knowledge should lead to understanding. A mature understanding leads to a person with wisdom.
1. Knowledge
“The knowledge of good and evil” was what Adam and Eve gained by eating the forbidden fruit. That knowledge was harmful to them.
Gen 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, (17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
On the other hand God gave Bezalel a good sort of knowledge to be able to construct the furniture of the tabernacle.
Exo 31:2-5 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, (3) and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, (4) to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, (5) in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.
God gave Solomon a good sort of knowledge, but it was not enough to save Solomon from sinning.
2Ch 1:11-12 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, (12) wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
David asked for a good sort of knowledge.
Psa 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
Some people choose not to accept a good sort of knowledge.
Pro 1:28-30 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. (29) Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, (30) would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,
Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
The time will come when Jesus Christ establishes a righteous government, and then a good sort of knowledge will cover the earth.
Hab 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
There is something bad that is wrongly called “knowledge”.
1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”
Quite different is the knowledge of Jesus.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2. Understanding
Understanding is good. It should lead to behaviour that pleases God.
Col 1:9-10 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (10) so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
3. Wisdom
In the whole of Proverbs 8 wisdom is personified as a woman. For example:
Pro 8:12 I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
Wisdom is to be sought by Christians.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
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