UNDERSTANDING: THE ENLIGHTENING ARM OF OUR THREEFOLD TOOL FROM GOD
Reading: Job 32:1-10 NLT
'But there is a spirit within people, (which is) the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent'. (Job 32:8 NLT)
God has given His people a device, the means by which to live. It is a threefold device named wisdom, knowledge and understanding. But understanding is the arm of the tool, the device that enlightens the other two in us. It is the forerunner among the three.
The dictionary defines Understanding as Ability to learn, reason, make decisions or judgments. Synonyms of Understanding include intelligence, comprehension, sensibility, reasoning capacity, insight. So our subject is saying that Understanding is the ability to acquire knowledge which when properly applied to our lives gives us wisdom. It is the bridge or pathway to acquiring knowledge which when properly applied begets wisdom. Thus the balanced statement would be: Wisdom is the application of knowledge acquired through understanding - the bright path from God that leads other devices for the fulfilment of His purpose in our lives.
Proverbs 4:7 says, ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.’ The NIV version says, ‘The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.’
What does understanding give?
• Understanding is ability to comprehend. Comprehension is the act of grasping the meaning, nature, or importance of things. This is why we were taught the subject comprehension in secondary school. It is also what our parents made effort to impart in us. (Proverbs 4:1-4)
• Understanding is ability to learn. The child Jesus stayed back with the scholars and teachers to know the ancient teachings of the land. (Luke 2:45-47)
• Understanding is sensibility. King Ahaziah’s first two captains did not apply sense in discharging the king’s assignment and lost their lives; the third did and survived. (2Kings 1:2-18)
• Understanding is ability to reason: None of Job's friends nor Job himself could fathom the wisdom of God except Elihu - a younger, quite reasonable man. (Job 34:10-12)
• Understanding is insight. The men of Issachar had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. (1Chr. 12:32)
Why do we need Understanding?
1. To discern the words of God in the scriptures. Jesus opened His disciples’ understanding to comprehend the scriptures. (Luke 24:45)
2. To increase our knowledge of God and His ways. (Prov. 2:1-5)
3. To know that wisdom is given by God, through the Spirit of God. (Job 32:8, 1Cor. 2:10-12)
4. To distinguish good from evil. King Solomon only asked for as understanding heart (1Kings 3:9). Eve’s disobedience was lack of understanding. (Gen. 3:6)
5. To possess the fear of God. Understanding is a treasure leading to the fear of God. (Prov. 2:4-6)
6. To grow in knowledge and wisdom. Understanding is the principal thing; it grows the others. (Prov. 4:7)
7. To experience peace. ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:7)
The conclusion: In all your getting, get understanding. It is the precursor of wisdom.
©OO-I.
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