Is Wisdom Found in Education?
Biblical answer, not quite
Popular answer, yes
The world will tell you everything your children need to know to succeed is found in education and educational systems. Wisdom comes from understanding complex subject matters. Wisdom is found in studying. Wisdom Is displayed in high test scores. But is that right? Should that be the highest priority as we begin another homeschool year? No, let us turn to the source of wisdom for our answer. Scripture has much to say on this topic, far more than I can contain here.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.“
- Proverbs 2:6
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who generously gives to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
- James 1:5
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.“
- Proverbs 1:7
I heard a quote long ago, very early on in my homeschooling journey, that’s stuck with me to this day, a decade later. It said something along the lines of “I’m focused on getting my child into heaven and not Harvard.” Now, don’t confuse my understanding of theology on this subject matter; we can not save our children. We do not get them into heaven. Only their personal confession of faith can save them, but as a homeschooling mom, I can guide, teach, help, foster, and lead them to this understanding of their need for a personal savior. Prepare them for the life God has for them. My primary focus has been and will always be guiding my children to God. My highest calling is to equip them to stand on His word and be light in the darkness.
Scripture tells us that wisdom is only found in a reverent fear and knowledge of our Lord. Apart from Him, we are unable to teach our children to be wise. The smartest child, who takes calculus in the 7th grade, is a fool apart from Christ. On the contrary, a child who knows where to go with their questions, who to turn to in times of trouble and need, who knows the word of God and tests all things against it, is wise.
Wisdom is not found in something we gain or achieve. It’s not in the textbooks we use or choose not to use. It’s not found in a level of education or initials behind a name. It’s not even found in lessons we may have learned from past mistakes. Wisdom is found in Christ and Christ alone. Praise God that He makes it clear on how we receive wisdom from Him. We simply ask Him. Then, He freely gives.
As we look at the crumbling American public education system and we look at the days and culture in which we live, it’s glaringly obvious that a large portion of society is depraved. Unwise. “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so they what ought not to be done. “ Romans 1:28
The blind leading the blind. A bunch of fools. Fools who look no further than themselves and their colleagues for all of the answers to problems we seem to be continually facing. Why is it this constant merry-go-round of nothing ever being solved? I’m sure you can guess.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying to abandon all academia; in fact, I think it's neglectful to do so, but what I am saying is we have to make seeking God for wisdom the basis, the cornerstone in which we place our childrens’ knowledge and understanding of other subjects upon. All the knowledge in the world will mean nothing in the eyes of the Lord apart from wisdom.
True wisdom is a gift from God. That He gives. Wisdom comes from knowing and revering Him. In our ever-present quest for a well-rounded homeschool year, let’s not lose sight of what’s most important—wisdom is far more valuable than the most rigorous writing program. Our homeschools should reflect that as our highest priority. Let us head into this homeschool year with joy, enthusiasm, and a zeal to teach our children to be wise in a world full of foolishness. I can’t think of any other way to prepare our children to succeed more (in every area of life) than to make sure they know where wisdom is truly found.
This post was created based on an article I wrote for the Learning Well Journals.
