The More We Know, the More Ignorant We Become

Knowing more is not the answer

It is hard for me to understand why we think we know so much when we fail so often. It’s not knowledge we need today; it’s wisdom. 

Today’s medical world has many more diagnoses to give than were even imagined when I was a kid. Psychologists would have us believe that we “know so much more” than we did way fifty years ago.

Yet, if we know so much more, why are more children needing early intervention, families more dysfunctional, marriages more troubled, and suicide rates still climbing? Why are folks jobless because they choose not to work, when they well could? If we’re better educated, why are emotional illnesses more rampant than before? The more we know is only helpful if it is applied with wisdom.

Wisdom is the ability to make wise decisions based on knowledge, experience, and understanding. Scripture tells us that “wisdom is the principle thing; . . . get widom, and with all that wisdom, get understanding.” [paraphrase mine].

Knowing more does not provide excuses

While it is true that understanding a diagnosis of a child can help us anticipate their needs, it’s also true that many times we use the diagnosis as a way to excuse our child instead of helping him become all he can be with that diagnosis. 

It’s also true that understanding the emotional needs of others who are dysfunctional can help us relate to them. The more we know can help explain or understand a situation. Yet, this “more we know” must be added to wisdom. When we do this, we recognize that the more we know does not give us or the person an excuse to ignore inappropriate behavior or excuse their actions.

Wisdom helps us know how to respond without making excuses. Wisdom applies knowledge and experience with a child or a dysfunctional family situation. It gives us the impetus to respond correctly instead of excusing .

The  more we know

The more we know, the more responsible we are to use that information to help others – and ourselves. When we apply “the more we know” to experience, we can apply wisdom. Forget about flaunting your knowledge to make excuses. Instead, ask God for wisdom in responding to a child, a friend, or a neighbor. Be certain to use wisdom from God, instead of just listening to those who would encourage you to make excuses for behaviors. We live in a broken, fallen world. True wisdom can set us free and give us steps to overcome, no matter the diagnosis or fears we have. Apply that wisdom, and you can be free.