Information Does Not Equal Wisdom
Today I had coffee with someone who I believe to be a wise man. He's been knee deep in business and ministry since I was stealing milks from the middle school lunch line. If anyone from St. Paul in Fenton, MO is reading this, I owe you about $11.90 from the Spring of 1990. What we covered wasn’t new, but it was a powerful re-learning experience. I asked him how he has consistently made better decisions over time, and he introduced me to the wisdom diamond pattern:
INFORMATION -> APPLICATION -> EXPERIENCE -> WISDOM
Receiving information isn’t enough; applying it shapes our experiences, and those experiences refine our wisdom. As we look to Scripture, we see this principle at work—both positively and negatively.
King Saul: A Pattern of Unwise Choices
Saul, Israel’s first king, began with promise but repeatedly failed to obey God, leading to his downfall.
1. Partial Obedience (1 Samuel 15)
Command: God instructed Saul to destroy the Amalekites completely.
Failure: Saul spared King Agag and the best livestock, justifying it as sacrifice.
Consequence: Samuel rebuked him, saying, “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22), and God rejected him as king.
Lesson: Saul relied on human reasoning over full obedience.
2. Fear and Impatience (1 Samuel 13)
Situation: Under Philistine threat, Saul was told to wait for Samuel.
Failure: He performed the sacrifice himself in fear.
Consequence: Samuel declared his kingdom would not endure.
Lesson: Saul acted out of fear instead of trusting God’s timing.
3. Jealousy and Paranoia (1 Samuel 18-19)
David’s Rise: People praised David’s victories over Saul’s.
Failure: Saul saw David as a threat, attempting to kill him multiple times.
Consequence: This obsession led to reckless choices and spiritual torment.
Lesson: Envy clouded Saul’s judgment and eroded his leadership.
4. Seeking a Forbidden Source (1 Samuel 28)
Situation: Before battle, God was silent due to Saul’s disobedience.
Failure: Instead of repenting, he consulted a witch.
Consequence: The spirit of Samuel foretold his death, and he fell in battle.
Lesson: Saul sought guidance in the wrong place rather than returning to God.
King David: A Contrast in Wisdom
David also made mistakes, but he remained a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14).
1. Seeking God’s Guidance (1 Samuel 23, 2 Samuel 2)
David regularly inquired of God before making decisions.
Contrast: Saul acted impulsively; David sought divine wisdom.
2. Patience for the Throne (1 Samuel 24 & 26)
Twice, David could have killed Saul but refused, trusting God’s timing.
Contrast: Saul seized power rashly; David waited on God’s plan.
3. True Repentance (2 Samuel 12)
After sinning with Bathsheba, David repented deeply (Psalm 51).
Contrast: Saul made excuses for his sins; David humbled himself before God.
Wisdom in Action
INFORMATION - APPLICATION - EXPERIENCE - WISDOM. We must apply what we learn according to God’s will—whether in business, ethics, or relationships. Evaluating outcomes helps us refine our decisions for the future.
Wisdom isn’t just knowing—it’s applying knowledge rightly. Let’s learn from Saul’s failures and David’s successes to grow in true wisdom by seeking God's guidance. His will for our lives and our reverence for him is the beginning of all wisdom.
-Mark
