Knowledge is an attempt to learn about something as much as humanly possible. Wisdom is understanding that thing from God’s perspective, and applying His truth to make righteous choices.
Asking God for Wisdom in our Relationships
There is so much value in having wisdom in life that in 1 Kings 3, Solomon honored God so God tells Solomon that he can have anything he wants. He chooses wisdom.
1 Kings 3:4-12
4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
Proverbs 2:6
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Biblical Wisdom for our Relationships
Wisdom in our Relationships with Strangers
Proverbs 14:31
It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
Proverbs 22:9
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Proverbs 29:7
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
Proverbs 13:10
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Wisdom in our Relationships with Friends
Proverbs 13:20
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 17:9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:10
A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
Proverbs 27:9
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Wisdom in our Relationships with our Parents
Proverbs 13:18
whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Proverbs 20:20
If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
Proverbs 13:13
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
Proverbs 17:21
To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.
Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
Proverbs 17:6
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
Proverbs 27:11
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.
Wisdom in our Relationships with our Kids
Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—
Proverbs 13:14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
Proverbs 13:22
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
Proverbs 24:13-14
Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 13:24
Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
Proverbs 23:13-14
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
Punish them with the rod and save them from death.
Wisdom in our Relationships with our Spouses
(and some in dating relationships, but not all apply)
Song of Songs 8:7
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.
Proverbs 12:4
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
Proverbs 5:18
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Proverbs 13:5
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.
Proverbs 17:19
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
Proverbs 27:15-16
A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.
Proverbs 13:7-8
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
