Knowledge, understanding, wisdom.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God" James 1:5

What is wisdom?

The dictionary defines wisdom as being "the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement."

The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints furthers this explanation by saying that wisdom is "the ability or gift from God to judge correctly. A person gains wisdom through experience and study and by following God’s counsel. Without God’s help, man does not have true wisdom (2 Ne. 9:28; 27:26)." 

"Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich" (D&C 6:7)

"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." - Jimi Hendrix

D&C 88:118

"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith."

What is understanding?

"...and with all thy getting get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

"Understanding of what? Understanding of ourselves, of the purposes of life, of our relationship to God who is our Father, of the great divinely given principles that for centuries have provided the sinew of man’s real progress!" -Gordon B Hinkley

"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart..." 1 Kings 3:9

It is important to have an understanding heart in order to develop righteous sensitivity and discernment towards our fellow men. It occurred to me that even if we go through the exact same experience as someone else, the way we feel, process and react to that experience is going to be different. Only with the help of the Saviour can we attempt to gain a true understanding and sensitivity towards another person's experience. 

What is knowledge?

Understanding, knowledge and wisdom are, of course all interlinked. The way I would put it is this: knowledge is what we know, understanding is knowing (discerning) when and how to apply what we know, and wisdom lies in the actual application of these knowledges.

We must learn to bring knowledge, understanding and wisdom into balance and harmony. We cannot have wisdom without knowledge and understanding, and acquiring knowledge without seeking understanding and wisdom is a menial task.

Above all, we must put our trust in the Lord, in whom all knowledge, understanding and wisdom rests. For "all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things." (2 Ne. 2:24.) Thus, as God’s perfect wisdom is a product of His knowledge of all things, so man’s wisdom is dependent upon his knowledge.  - "Converting Knowledge to Wisdom" - Marion G. Romney