Wisdom and Will: A Marriage That Often Ends in Divorce

Today’s post will be a little different. I wanted to approach this article from a very practical and inclusive point of view. Yes, there will be a biblical reference, but we’ll also draw from sports and political figures to highlight the theme. The phrase “Wisdom and Will: A Marriage That Often Ends in Divorce” might sound dramatic, but it reflects a fundamental tension we see play out every day.

What do I mean by that title?

Simple. Wisdom and will are two of the most powerful forces in leadership and life, but they don’t always stay united. One without the other can lead to ruin. When they separate, leaders fall, movements crumble, and people—regular people—are left to pick up the pieces.

“Brains and Backbone: They Don’t Always Hold Hands”

Wisdom and will are often mistaken as synonymous, but they serve different functions.

Wisdom is our compass. It allows us to see the difference between what is right and what is merely convenient. It reminds us of what we can control and what we simply cannot. Wisdom shows up in how we handle conflict, manage disappointment, and approach complicated situations with grace, discernment, and strategy. It is often gained through experience, mistakes, mentorship, and time.

But wisdom alone isn’t enough.

Will is what turns wisdom into action. It is the force that allows a person to choose the more challenging, wiser path even when everything in them wants the easier way. Will says no when it would feel better to say yes. Will sacrifices comfort for conviction.

Without wisdom, will is reckless. Without will, wisdom is useless.

“Crowned and Clueless: When Knowledge Isn’t Enough”

Let’s examine leaders—biblical, historical, and modern—who had access to wisdom but failed to exercise the will to use it.

Solomon, known for being the wisest man in Scripture, asked God for understanding instead of riches. And God gave him both. He wrote proverbs, solved disputes, and brought Israel to new heights. Yet, in the end, Solomon let his will be led astray. He knew what was right, but he chose comfort and compromise. He loved foreign women, built altars to other gods, and let his heart drift from the Lord. The kingdom would never be the same.

In sports, consider Urban Meyer—a brilliant football mind, a man who built championship teams. But despite his strategic genius, his willpower buckled under pride, poor decisions, and moral lapses. Knowledge of the game didn’t protect him from personal failings.

Politically, Richard Nixon comes to mind. An innovative, experienced leader who achieved global impact—but Watergate showed how wisdom can be overruled by will when ambition turns inward.

What do these men have in common? They knew better. But they didn’t do better.

And if we’re honest, haven’t we all been there? With all the access we have to information—books, articles, podcasts, AI—we should be the wisest generation ever to live. But maybe we’ve grown lazy. Wisdom isn’t being absorbed because it’s no longer being earned. And when something hasn’t been earned, it’s usually taken for granted.

“The Fallout of Failed Leadership”

When leaders divorce wisdom from will, people suffer.

A coach who can’t put the team before ego creates a culture of fear or chaos. A CEO who knows the right ethical choice but bends to shareholders for a bonus sacrifices the long-term health of the company. A parent who knows their child needs structure but can’t bring themselves to enforce boundaries leaves that child confused and unprepared for life.

Bad leadership doesn’t just affect the leader. It seeps into relationships, organizations, and entire communities. Decisions made in private often ripple into public consequences. That’s the thing about wisdom—it was never meant to be kept to ourselves. It’s a gift that must be activated for the sake of others.

“From Knowing to Doing: Wisdom in Action”

So, how can everyday leaders—those of us not on a platform or holding public office—strengthen our wisdom and our will?

Here are three practical steps:

1. Seek understanding before execution. Wisdom starts with asking the right questions. Before making a decision, ask: Who does this affect? What’s the long-term cost? Does this align with my values?

2. Build habits that support discipline. Will isn’t just about big, dramatic moments. It’s built into the daily decisions—waking up early, telling the truth, following through. Make small choices that reinforce who you want to be when it matters most.

3. Surround yourself with truth-tellers. Wisdom and will both grow in community. Find people who will challenge your thinking and call you out when your will begins to waver. Accountability is fertilizer for wisdom.

Closing Thought:

Wisdom and will were designed to walk together. But they won’t stay married by accident. It takes humility to learn and courage to act. The world doesn’t need more intelligent people. It needs more principled ones—leaders who don’t just know what’s right but have the strength to do it.

Let’s be those leaders.