Who’s the brightest person in the world—the one with the highest IQ? Some would name Abdesselam Jelloul, who has an IQ of 198. Others say it’s Marilyn vos Savant with her IQ of 228. The Guinness Book of World Records lists physicist and engineer Kim Ung-Yong as having the highest confirmed IQ in the world (210). Interestingly, Albert Einstein had an IQ of “only” 160, while the average IQ for human beings is 90-109.
It’s important to note that a person with a high IQ won’t necessarily be a wise person. All people can act foolishly. So who is a wise person? James says a wise person is one who “[understands] God’s ways” and who shows it “by living an honorable life, doing good works” in an attitude of humility (James 3:13). A wise person isn’t motivated or controlled by jealousy and self-centeredness (James 3:14).
How do wise people live? They’re “first of all pure,” being people of integrity and honesty. They’re “peace loving,” maintaining harmonious relationships with others, “gentle at all times,” mindful of others’ feelings, and “willing to yield to others” because they’re open to reason. “Full of mercy,” kind, and compassionate, they willingly help those in need. They show “no favoritism” and are “always sincere” (James 3:17).
Wise people aren’t measured by how much they know but by how well they live. It’s not about their intelligence. It’s about their character. It’s not what’s in their head, but in their heart.
To be wise, you don’t need a high IQ. You simply need to know God and “understand [His] ways” (James 3:13). Solomon, the wisest man on earth, said, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10 NIV).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 17:1-26
More:
Read Proverbs 3:13-18, 4:1-11, 8:32-35, and Proverbs 24:14 to hear what the wisest man on earth once said about wisdom.
Next:
How can you grow in God’s wisdom? How can intelligence sometimes become a god that makes us wise in our own eyes?
ehdlive on September 19, 2013 at 3:30 am
Praise GOD for people who are gifted with high IQs, whether Christians and non-Christians alike. But the thing is, if we boast of this – just like any other gifts we have – to the point that we come to demean or belittle others, the Bible says, we will be confounded and shamed (1 Cor. 1:27).
tom felten on September 19, 2013 at 10:22 am
KT, so appreciate your sentence: “Wise people aren’t measured by how much they know but by how well they live.” We have all known people (perhaps ourselves!) who have had tons of head knowledge about Jesus, but whose lives have not revealed His wisdom, His love, His grace. I think of Judas, who walked and talked with our Lord, and yet was so very far from Him. May we possess a wisdom that flows with grace and love to Him and others.
mike wittmer on September 19, 2013 at 1:17 pm
I wonder what Jesus’ IQ was? And I wonder if it’s wrong even to ask that question!
This is a great reminder that intelligence/wisdom can’t be measured by a test but by how well we love God and others.
Sarah C on September 19, 2013 at 11:44 pm
Before I saw the name of the writer , I just knew an Asian wrote this , sounds all too familiar . And speaking of familiarity , I wonder how much of it springs from the desire to cling to the familiar , preserve the status quo ? Even Messiah , the Prince of Peace said that He came not to bring peace , but a sword .
Sarah C on September 19, 2013 at 11:57 pm
The disciples were described by the Pharisees as people who turned the world upside down . Who dares lay claim to that ? I’d like to suggest when Sim cry out for ” peace, peace ! ” that he is REFUSING to face the spectre of a ” peace ” that’s about to be disrupted very soon – also known as The Great Tribulation ?
Sarah C on September 20, 2013 at 12:13 am
The PHARISEES wanted Messiah killed for fear the Romans will take away their PLACE ( a.k.a POSITION ) and their nation – i.o.w they wanted their status quo preserved . After that , it never stopped for them – that dratted Jesus’ disciples ” turned the world upside down ” !
winn collier on September 26, 2013 at 5:24 pm
knowledge and wisdom don’t always run parallel paths, do they? I wish they did.