Is stupidity or wisdom gained when we do something wrong?

The scriptures tell us that fools despise discipline, and, by doing so, they also despise wisdom, since God tells us that wisdom is gained when we reverence him and obey his laws. “The fear [reverence] of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7) 

The word “fool” in the above scripture is Strong’s #191. It means silly, obstinate, wicked, headstrong or stubborn. A foolish person rebels against God’s guidelines for a righteous, healthy life and instead creates his own set of rules as if there were no God. His disobedience not only leads to foolishness, but also often to corruption and wickedness. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.” (Psalm 53:1) 

Obeying God’s laws and accepting discipline are essential requirements for gaining knowledge, building character and acquiring godly Wisdom. “He who listens to life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.” (Proverbs 15:31) “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” (Proverbs 19:20) 

Proverbs describes the benefits of wisdom and warns against the pitfalls of rejecting God’s precepts. The purpose and theme of Proverbs is for the reader to attain wisdom and discipline by reverencing God, obeying his commands, thereby doing what is right, just and fair to all people. It is a guidebook for prudent living. Therefore, the only proper attitude for us is to be attentive to his word and obedient to his bidding. Our safety and happiness depend on our supreme reverence for the Lord. 

You wanted to know if stupidity or wisdom is gained through disobedience. The Bible tells us that the disobedient are fools. However, one does not need to continue to be disobedient and remain foolish. Wisdom may be gained through disobedience if one sees the error of his ways, asks forgiveness, accepts the consequences for his past actions, repents and changes. Then he will have learned the lesson of the folly of disobedience and the value of obedience in the acquisition of wisdom.

 “Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I will obey them.” (Psalm 119:129) 

“This is love for God; to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3) As the apostle says we shall do his commandments and they shall not be burdensome to us because we love and revere God and he loves us. “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is written in my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)

To learn more about how sin works in our lives listen to, “Can Our Sins Ever Produce Blessings?”