KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ROSS SMITH 20052014
There is a distinct difference between KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING, and unless we UNDERSTAND the difference we have no KNOWLEDGE. But before we get either we have to get WISDOM. But also we need to recognize that having the KNOWLEDGE without having the INTELLIGENCE (spiritual) then we are still not able to function like Father requires.
Mere knowledge may be obtained without “fear of the Lord”, but knowledge without Godly Wisdom is just INFORMATION, and there is plenty of INFORMATION around but not a lot of TRANSFORMATION.
To try and simplify these spiritual characteristics I have tried to reduce to a few words: –
WISDOM = The ethics of God
KNOWLEDGE = The will of God
UNDERSTANDING = The work of God (and this is why we need ethics in the workplace!!!)
INTELLIGENCE = The blessing of God
We need to realise here had that wisdom is an attribute “from above”, but knowledge does not have that eternal component, as is explained in: –
1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. for our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).
Knowledge is needed because there are problems as result of The Fall. God gives this knowledge to help “fix” broken people, protect ourselves from the difficulties of life, and allow love to express itself in good works.
Proverbs 4:7 The beginning of Wisdom is: GET WISDOM (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, GET UNDERSTANDING (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)
Proverbs 1:7 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of KNOWLEDGE [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.
Ephesians 5:17 “Do not be Vague, thoughtless and foolish”
Psalm 111:10 The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.
Job 28:28 But to man He said, Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord–that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Proverbs 1:2 That people may know skillful and godly Wisdom and instruction, discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,
IGNORANCE IS REMOVED BY INSIGHT
We cannot pass this verse until we really grasp what it is saying, because on the surface we think we know what “INSTRUCTION” means, that is, being taught. We can accept that WISDOM is in fact doctrine, and all that that contains as we continue to plumb the depths of “Factor of Eight”, But the Greek word “musar” for instruction means “chastisement, warning, restraint, correction, discipline, rebuke”. So Solomon is saying that we have to pass through the process of “whatever it takes” to accrue knowledge, before we get to the “INTELLIGENCE” part of it.
I found an interesting description of WISDOM as follows:-
Wisdom – The power by which human personality reaches its highest spiritual perfection, by which all lower elements are brought into harmony with the highest, is presently personified as life-giving and creative.
To me this describes perfectly the “Factor of Eight” concept of Wisdom describing that all that is fragile in us can be brought into harmony with all that is Eternal.
Job 28:23 God understands the way [to Wisdom] and He knows the place of it [Wisdom is with God alone].
Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; FROM HIS MOUTH COME KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.
It may be a suitable time to review the 8 characteristics of WISDOM so that we can have the process firmly settled in our mind:-
PURE
PEACEABLE
GENTLE
EASILY ENTREATED
FULL OF MERCY
GOOD DEEDS (Fruits)
WITHOUT PARTIALITY
WITHOUT HYPOCRISY
If we cannot demonstrate unequivocally that we have qualified in these areas of our life then we cannot claim to have the endowment of WISDOM, and those who claim to be wise and understanding have not received it as a consequence of their relationship to the Lord, and probably is described correctly as “earthy”. The first characteristic of WISDOM as you will recall is PURE and if we consider pure gold, it is pure all the way through….. the same pattern required in our lives, pure motives.
WISDOM is the character of God, and when God gives us Wisdom, it is the ability and capacity to walk in that character.
KNOWLEDGE is where we are given the facts, or data. We have knowledge by reading/studying word, by prompts of the Holy Spirit, by insight either with or without learning.
UNDERSTANDING is the use of Knowledge to carry out the work of God. It is the power of distinguishing right from wrong, truth from its counterfeit.
INTELLIGENCE is the appreciation of what God is doing or will do. It has nothing to do with “brain power” but everything to do with the gifting of God. Knowledge is different to intelligence, we may not know the details of the situation but we need to know the answers – knowing the answers requires spiritual intelligence.
2 Timothy 2:7 Think over these things I am saying [understand them and grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything.
Psalm 46:10 Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 100:3 Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. [Ephesians 2:10.]
This is the appreciation of who God is and is different to knowing His will.
Job 32:8 But there is [a vital force] a spirit [of intelligence] in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives men understanding.
Notice here that INTELLIGENCE is a “VITAL FORCE and a SPIRIT”, so this rules out the mental agility that we always associate with intelligence. However when we are “filled with and controlled by” the Holy Spirit we can expect that this vital force will make us spiritually intelligent, we will have “eyes that see”, and this will provide us with that spiritual insight that eludes the church of today.
That “VITAL FORCE” is described in the KJV as “The inspiration of the Almighty” or “The breathing of the Almighty”. Doesn’t this open up a can of worms?
Strong’s describes the breath of God as (H7306);” wind; by resemblance breath, that is, a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions): – air, anger, blast, breath, cool, courage, mind, quarter, side, spirit ([-ual]), tempest, vain, ([whirl-]) wind (-y).
Firstly we behold His creative genius (I say this respectfully) as recorded here in the next 2 verses, but then we see the difference His breath makes.
Psalm 136:5 To Him Who by wisdom and understanding made the heavens, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
CREATION
Proverbs 3:19 The Lord by skillful and godly Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding He has established the heavens
Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being.
ENERVATION
John 20:22 And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit!
Now when we think about:-
2 Timothy 3:16-17 Every Scripture is God-breathed given by His inspiration and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), SO THAT the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. (or dare I insert “Intelligent?”)
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law. (which you breathed, or as Job 32:8 calls it “a spirit of Intelligence”…. Comments mine)
Hebrews 4:12 For the Word that God speaks (or which He has “breathed…. Comments mine) is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analysing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. (This is to bring us up to the standard first mentioned regarding WISDOM, that it should be “pure”, that is both in our attitudes (heart) and our motives…… comments mine)
Proverbs 1:7 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.
Perhaps the component most missing from wisdom is understanding, that near considered “magical” insight where not only the concept but its practical application make perfect sense. The complication however, is that understanding and knowledge aren’t always the same thing. So, while a person may diligently study a philosophy, it might never create much benefit on a deep level, or ever make sense so the lesson remains deep, abstract and inaccessible. This common problem afflicts many and is a major obstacle towards being able to develop skills in life and spirit.
KNOWLEDGE This characteristic represents a significant difference, it is more than knowledge ABOUT a particular subject and more a knowledge OF a particular subject. In this case it is the knowledge OF GOD not just knowledge ABOUT GOD.
KNOWLEDGE is available to every individual and comes in the natural sense with a piece of paper certifying that the subject has been studied in depth, but does not give any guarantee of an understanding that subject.
KNOWLEDGE is the antidote to VAGUE. As we saw in Ephesians 5, it is inadequate just to have KNOWLEDGE but requires UNDERSTANDING, so that we can “firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is”, and then when we UNDERSTAND we need to evidence the INTELLIGENCE by our ability to proclaim the Word of God in the manner it deserves, “deliverance to the captives, opening of the eyes of the blind etc. etc. etc.
Paul made this abundantly clear to the Colossians and used terminology which would leave them in no doubt: –
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be FILLED with the full (deep and clear) KNOWLEDGE of His will in all SPIRITUAL WISDOM [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in UNDERSTANDING and discernment of spiritual things– That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, (I would suggest that this is INTELLIGENCE, it is more than knowing what to do it is living in that sphere of Gods endorsement …. Comments mine) fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].
These 2 verses are chock-full with terms of great consequence, as follows:
FILLED the original word is “pleroo” and literally means to cram, accomplish, complete, fill up, fulfil. This word leaves little accommodation for ignorance in our pursuit of knowledge, and only serves to confirm those instructions we are familiar with, such as “study to show yourself approved unto God”.
KNOWLEDGE here the original word is “Epignosis” and the literal meaning is recognition, full discernment, acknowledgement. Again this leaves very little room for vagueness and again the Apostle confirms that this is required to KNOW GOD’s WILL. This knowledge however consists not only of the “Logos” of the word but also the “Rhema” or the revealed word of God. As we grow in Knowledge would also grow in Grace.
SPIRITUAL WISDOM It is important to note here that there is no reference to academic excellence or simply knowledge “about” but is particularly specific that this Wisdom is “SPIRITUAL”. Again the original word is “pneumatikos” meaning belonging to the spirit, determined, influenced and proceeding from the spirit.
We have all probably proved by now that the 8 particular characteristics of WISDOM cannot be achieved simply by self-discipline but only by the Grace of God who responds to our “asking” for that Wisdom. Other means are simply futile.
Colossians 2:23 Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]
SPIRITUAL WISDOM is a goal we should pursue with all vigour for it is the same “virtue” that God used in establishing the creation, and where He evidenced “understanding” and “knowledge” as we see in:-
Proverbs 3:19-20 The Lord by skillful and godly Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding He has established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies distil the dew.
Colossians 1:16 For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.
Again here we see the creative genius at work identifying that not only were the heavens and the earth the result of His Wisdom, BUT ALL THINGS
Psalm 136:5-9 To Him Who by wisdom and understanding made the heavens, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; To Him Who stretched out the earth upon the waters, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; To Him Who made the great lights, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever– The sun to rule over the day, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; The moon and stars to rule by night, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
Proverbs 3:19 The Lord by skillful and godly Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding He has established the heavens.
Colossians 1:16 reinforces this sentiment, but there is a great difference between these items nominated as “created” and when He made man He came with the “Vital Force” comprising “Intelligence” and “Understanding”
Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and BREATHED INTO HIS NOSTRILS THE BREATH OR SPIRIT OF LIFE, and man became a living being.
Job 32:8 But there is [a vital force] a spirit [of intelligence] in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives men understanding. (This is that same breath that was used to create scripture 2 Timothy 3:16)
There is one point that is of great consequence here and that is easily overlooked, and that is when God created man “HE BREATHED into him the breath of life”. That is the difference, and is paralleled in John 20:22 where “He breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Now note the similarity of our situation, it is through those same virtues that God used in creation and are now available to us to “create” a home, not in the sense of bricks and mortar but that sacred environment initiated and instigated, not by marriage counselling or financial advisers, but a gift of God to those intelligent enough to ask and humble enough to receive. But Proverbs continues to incite us to accumulate knowledge and to achieve its purpose by understanding.
Proverbs 24:3-5 Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong and is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power;
The last part of this verse a significant as it states, “a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power”, Knowledge without Wisdom is a dangerous combination as recorded in Scripture as “sense and reason (or the mind of the flesh) without the holy spirit is death”, and carries penalties not just in this earthly realm but also in the eternal.
Romans 8:6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.
And so I must conclude that we need to pursue all these characteristics if we want to grow into the vessels of honour that Father intended.
Psalm 32:8-9 I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. (Firmly grasping the will of the Lord …. Comments mine) Be not like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you. (don’t be a donkey, even though Balaam’s ass spoke)
Proverbs 2:3-7 Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God. For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity,
Matthew 15:16 And He said, Are you also even yet dull and ignorant [without understanding and unable to put things together]?
Mark 7:18 (part a) And He said to them, Then are you also unintelligent and dull and without understanding?
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but TAUGHT BY THE [HOLY] SPIRIT, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings (This is “knowledge … comments mine) and revelations of the Spirit of God, (This is “understanding”… comments mine) for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.
Ross Smith 