Types of Wisdom

Communication

Communication is the activity of conveying information through speech, writing, e-mail, texting, visuals, or behavior. Although there are courses you can take on communication, it is more of an innate skill. It is an essential component to being able to work with others in any field. I have meet people that are very book smart, but have awful communication. Ironically, many of them are professors that are teaching college level courses such as science and engineering. To me, your degrees don’t mean much if you can’t teach others your knowledge. I believe people with great wisdom have a responsibility to help teach others.

To understand this concept, let’s take an example sentence: I’ll take care of you. What does this sentence mean? It can have many meanings depending on who is saying it and the context of which it is said.

From a conservative high-class individual – I will invite you into my home for tea and crumpets.

From a romantic – We will live happily ever after.

From a psycho – You will suffer horribly for my pleasure.

From a millionaire – You will become wealthy.

From a drug dealer – I’ll hook you up with the goods.

From a gangster – You’ll be sleeping with the fishes soon.

From a coach – I’m going to train you till you bleed.

Another concept is word stress or emphasis. Take the sentence: I don’t think he should get the job. Emphasizing a particular word in this sentence can change its meaning.

I don’t think he should get the job. – Somebody else thinks he should get the job.

I don’t think he should get the job. – It’s not true that I think he should get the job.

I don’t think he should get the job. – Somebody else should get the job.

The final concept I want to address is narrative communication. This is when someone tells a story above an event to explain some opinon or idea. This is one of the most powerful forms of communication because listeners are often very enganged; putting themselves in the storyteller’s shoes. It is much better than listening to boring historical facts. The Bible is mainly composed of stories that were actual events. God uses these stories to convey His message of the Gospel. Jesus even told his disciples stories in the form of parables, to explain the Kingdom of God.

Leadership

What is leadership? A normal definition might include things like multitasking, assigning tasks to others, motivating others, giving advice, giving positive feedback, and giving constructive criticism. Those things are part of it, but here is what the Bible says:

John 13:12-16 – When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one antoher’s feet. For I have given you an example, that also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (ESV)

Luke 22:26 – But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. (ESV)

In both of these passages, Jesus describes what a true leader is. A true leader does not put him or herself above others. A true leader severs others. What does that mean? It means a leader puts others needs above their own. A leader will endure pain and suffering so others don’t have have to. A leader will due what’s right even if they are alone.

In the kingdom of God, everything is opposite. To be a leader, you must serve. To be a teacher, you must first learn. To be wise, you must make mistakes. To be rich, you must first be poor. To be strong, you must be know your weakness. To succeed, you must fail.

Conclusion

The word “intelligence” means ability to learn something new. For example, if you teach someone how to cook spaghetti, the faster they can make spaghetti without your help, the more “intelligent” they are. Intelligence is often measured by years of school or through IQ tests. However, the problem with these measurements is that there are actually other skills involved. This concept is also why a person’s education does not translate into getting a good job (especially in the US) School skills do no translate to job skills. This is why I have discussed wisdom in the forms of book smart, memory, decision making, crisis management, communication, and leadership. These are the type of skills that God needs in His kingdom.

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