BIBLICAL TERMS AND THEIR MEANINGS—PART 4

KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

The Bible reveals a close relationship among knowledge, wisdom and understanding. 

Proverbs 9:10

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Colossians 1:9

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives."

Even though these terms are closely related as seen in the Bible, they do not mean the same thing. 

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge refers to information gained through revelation, reasoning, experience, or acquaintance. Knowledge is consciousness of the fact, or awareness of the truth. Knowledge can exist without wisdom, but wisdom cannot exist without knowledge. One can be knowledgeable but not wise. Knowledge is knowing how to use a gun; wisdom is knowing when to use it and when to keep it holstered. 

God wants you to have knowledge of him and what he expects of you. In order to obey him, you have to have knowledge of his commands. But as equally important as having knowledge is having wisdom. Knowing facts about God and the Bible is not all there is to wisdom. Wisdom is a gift from God. You have wisdom if the Spirit of God lives in you, nevertheless, you can ask God to fill you with his wisdom to overflowing measure. 

Knowledge is what is gathered over time through the study of the Scriptures. Wisdom, in turn, acts properly upon the knowledge gained. Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge. Knowledge is conscious that the light has turned red; wisdom applies the brakes. Knowledge memorizes the Ten Commandments; wisdom obeys them. Knowledge learns of God; wisdom loves him.

WISDOM

Wisdom is the ability to understand life from God's perspective. Bible teaches that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Again, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psa 14:1). This serves to identify the wise person as one who is able to see life from God's perspective. 

Closely linked to wisdom is insight. According to Wiktionary, insight is "a sight or view of the interior of anything; a deep inspection or view; introspection; frequently used with into." Insight is seeing deep into a matter, a phenomenon, the fact or the truth, so as to make precise and accurate decision. Another word that is closely linked to wisdom is prudence. Prudence refers to intellectual or moral insight; ability to ascertain the rightness or wrongness of a decision or judgement; discretion; understanding. Actually, insight and prudence lead to understanding. 

Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon encourages us to “get wisdom” (Pro 4:5). He says those who get wisdom love life (19:8); that it is better to get wisdom than gold (16:16); and that those who get wisdom find life and receive favour from the Lord (8:32-35). You have wisdom if the Spirit of God lives in you, however, you can ask God to fill you with his wisdom more abundantly. 

Here are four Biblical instructions for how to get (increase) wisdom:

1. Fear God

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But how should we fear God? Philipp Melanchthon, a collaborator of Martin Luther, discussed what it means to fear God by contrasting filial fear with servile fear. Filial fear is the type of respect and love a child has for a parent, a fear of offending the one they most adore and trust. In contrast, servile fear is the kind of fear that a prisoner has for his jailer or executioner.

2. Desire wisdom

Desire wisdom with all your heart. As Solomon says, you must “look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure” (Pro 2:4).

3. Pray for wisdom

As James tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (Jas 1:5).

4. Study God’s Word

Studying and meditating on God’s word brings (or increases) wisdom (Psa 19:7).

UNDERSTANDING

Understanding is God-given perception of the nature and meaning of things, resulting in sound judgement and decision-making; in particular the ability to discern spiritual truth and to apply it in real life situations. Knowledge is aware that God exists; wisdom believes in him; understanding does his will so as to make him happy. 

The root words used for understanding in the Bible reveal different levels of insight into the term:

•Comprehension

To understand is to comprehend, that is, to grasp the full meaning, intent or import of knowledge. You show that you have understanding of knowledge when you apply it in your living. 

•Judgement or Decision-making

Understanding is perceptive insight with ability to judge between what is good and what is bad; between what is right and what is wrong; between what is true and what is false, so as to give wonderful opinion, make sound judgement or take accurate decision. 

•Discernment

Understanding is the ability to discern spiritual truth and apply it in your living. Application of the truth indicates understanding of it. 

You may know the truth, even know how and when to apply it, but until you apply it in real life situations, you have no understanding of the truth. Understanding of the truth is when you practicalise it. The full test of understanding is obedience to God.


Changing lives and society through God's word!

Comments

  1. Sage WordOctober 30, 2023 at 1:34 AM

    Together we're changing lives and society through God's word.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 30, 2023 at 7:37 AM

    This is very well written. The teaching is clear and right on point. Bless you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sage WordOctober 31, 2023 at 3:08 AM

      Thank you for this lovely comment. More for Christ!

      Delete

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