Why do I have to study?” declared the high school student. “Life is an open-book test!” He was bright, bored, and oh-so-much-more-interested in the vital things of life—like playing online games and texting his “gf.” His assertion holds a certain appeal, doesn’t it? After all, information is just a mouse-click away. The problem is, he’s failed to draw the distinction between knowledge and wisdom—the accurate and timely application of information.

In Luke’s account of the life of Jesus, we get a unique glimpse into the Savior’s childhood. At just 12 years old, Jesus displayed amazing knowledge of God’s Word in the temple (Luke 2:47). “That was easy for Him,” you might say. “He’s the Son of God!” But the context to me indicates that Jesus was still youthfully naïve; He couldn’t understand His parents’ concern over His absence for several days (Luke 2:48).

Years later, when Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He quickly countered the devil’s insolent proposals with an ease that displayed a thorough and accurate knowledge of the Scriptures (see Luke 4:1-13).

Later, on the day of Jesus’ resurrection from the tomb, He appeared to two travelers who didn’t recognize Him. Jesus observed that they were “foolish people” because of their lack of belief in the words of the prophets. But then He explained the Old Testament prophecies to them. They would say that evening: “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us?” Jesus used His knowledge to bolster the faith of two discouraged believers (see Luke 24:13-32).

The accumulation of knowledge without wisdom will make us proud and ruthless. But biblical knowledge applied with love and discernment will keep us from bad choices, and will help us serve others.