And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness. To know is not to be intellectually informed about some abstract principle, but to apprehend and . Well, I recommend that you embrace this wisdom, knowledge, and understanding because of the following reasons: Embracing knowledge, wisdom, and understanding is the best thing you would ever do for your soul. 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NIV) . Nearly any situation that you face, you will find instructions on how to respond. And notice also the exploits are done by those who are continually adding knowledge to their life. We believe that the Bible and all the scriptures within both Old and New Testaments are the infallible and inspired Word of God. Therefore in some cases, we shall refer to all the three and in other instances only two, or one of them depending on the scripture reference. How wonderful! Queen Sheba was amazed at what she heard and saw that there was no spirit in her. But because they are absent, they lose out. One day as I was jogging in the woods, I asked the Lord one of those far beyond all you can ask or think prayers. All rights reserved., Posted on Published: December 27, 2021- Last updated: January 10, 2023, Reuben in the Bible: The Lost Tribe & Lessons From His Life, Who was Simeon in the Bible? Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge," while Psalm 111:10 declares that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (emphasis added throughout). in hope of eternal life, which God,who never lies,promisedbefore the ages began. Human knowledge can cause pride and grief (1 Corinthians 8:1b; Ecclesiastes 1:18), and worldly knowledge is often opposed to biblical truth (1 Timothy 6:20-21). First, let's check out what Proverbs 3 says about what wisdom is. What biblical criteria are there? Your email address will not be published. In Hosea, God harshly admonished and punished the Israelites for not paying any attention to Him and forgetting His law. 2. When something in the Bible doesnt make sense, Christians can test statements and arguments, and hold fast to what is good knowledge and biblical practice. for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he isa child. How does it differ from wisdom? The words of a mans mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Certainly, daily Bible reading, study, and meditation are a good starting point. This way, not only can He help guide our lives but also teach us about Himself through the scriptures. Swindoll's Living Insights Bible Commentaries. Bible study brings strength and guidance for life. The people who are effective witnesses for the Lord, by life or by lip, are the people who really know Him. He communicates with us many ways, especially in scripture. and takethe helmet of salvation, andthe sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,. Why say no to temptation when yielding would feel so good? Verses 28 and 29 tell us this. I had read about wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in the Bible but never given it much thought previously. Also, just as Christians can ask God for wisdom, they can also ask Him to guide them to books, sermons, podcasts, etc., that can boost their growth in spiritual knowledge. R.C. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). Peter further explains the idea from 1:10a: for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble. These things refers back to verses 5-7. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. Dont waste it living for selfish pursuits or for things that will perish. Billy Graham describes the gift of knowledge in his book "The Holy Spirit" as, "That knowledge which is the gift of the Spirit is based on . Godly discernment and wisdom must be added to knowledge. But since Peter has talked about the true knowledge of Christ in reference to conversion (1:3), I understand him here (1:8) to be saying, If you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be growing in godliness and seeking to be useful and fruitful in serving Him.. Psalm 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.". Proverbs 2 - BibleGateway How can we know whether our lives are truly fruitful for Gods kingdom? (10:21), Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,But the discipline of fools is folly. That leads me to ask, why would anyone want to spend significant time and effort in this New Year to read and study Gods Word? In fact, given the choice between wisdom and material wealth, they opted for wisdom, hands down. We should want this knowledge so that our lives can be more like Him and live according to his will. With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor. Now (8-11) he shows the results or benefits of growing in godliness to motivate us to hang in there when it would be easier to go with the flow of the world and the flesh. Wisdom belongs to God. 30 Bible verses about Knowledge - Knowing Jesus If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. 2:9; 2 Pet. The Lord, however, grants knowledge to those who have an honest relationship with him. If the Holy Spirit has imparted a word of knowledge to you, know that God has and will continue to equip you with all the spiritual tools necessary to carry out your spiritual assignment. By His divine power, He has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (1:3). It starts out by sharing the truth that all wisdom comes from God. Although copies and translations of Bibles are readily available, they often gather dust. If youre cruising on spiritual autopilot, then take heed to Peters exhortation to be all the more diligent to make certain about Gods calling and choosing you. Verse 26 tells us this. Sheand her husband Bob live in Southern California. 1:4-5). All rights reserved. But, to put it positively, how can I be useful and fruitful in my Christian life? First, have you heard the call to repent of your sins and believe in Christ and did you obey that call? 2. DILIGENCE = to search out; enquire; to seek after; to investigate; to crave. Knowledge and understanding will help Christians train others. What does the Bible say about knowledge? The One New Man Network acts as a voice to the Nations, walking out the instructions of Mark 16:15, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature. With the vision to preach and to publish openly the good news, The One New Man Network brings a message of salvation that can be heard throughout the Nations of the World! Queen Sheba, like many others, had heard of the fame of Solomon. (. New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. Promises that He will be our rock, our refuge and stronghold. Hannah Wilkinson, Chartered MCIPD - LinkedIn (. John Calvin observes (Calvins Commentaries [Baker], on 2 Peter 1:8, p. 374), For the knowledge of Christ is an efficacious thing and a living root, which brings forth fruit. In other words, if God has opened your eyes to the glory of the gospel of Christ (2 Cor. When we understand more about who God is and what He desires for our lives, we can develop a deeper relationship with Him. We know from Scripture that knowledge is a gift from God. My youngest, now in college, also is amazed at the nuggets of truth gained in such a short time listening. Your browser does not support JavaScript. For wisdom will enter your heartAnd knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; And I said,Hear now, heads of JacobAnd rulers of the house of Israel.Is it not for you to know justice? It is mymeditation all the day.. Yes. What Is Knowledge In The Bible Yoga Kali Real knowledge, Sanford says, is from God the Father (James 1:16-18), Gods Son Jesus Christ (John 14:6), and Gods Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20-27).. 5) Simple academic knowledge of God is not the goal but is the means to the goal. I plan to live so selfishly and with such disregard for others that I will shred all of my relationships. If youve said the prayer asking Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour, congratulations! Believers can ask God for more knowledge (Psalm 119:66). Verses 24 and 25 tell us this. This kind of knowledge is based on personal experience with a matter. Look at verse 28. I still know the meaning of sesquipedalian (a person who uses long words), erudite (scholarly), osculate (to kiss), pensive (thoughtful), and many more. Visit the about page for more info! Gods Instructions for Life Are Housed in His Word. If He had not chosen us and called us, we would still be lost in our sins. Because human knowledge is limited, and without God the intellect is darkened, humans are unable to grasp truths about God (1 Corinthians 2:14) without Him. Benefits of Reading the Bible Daily. In light of these great benefits, be diligent to grow in godliness. I prayed, Lord, use me as You used Spurgeon! I didnt hear any voice, but almost instantly the thought popped into my mind, which I believe was from the Lord, Which Spurgeon? As an Amazon Associate, as well as an affiliate of other programs, this means if you purchase something using these links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you! Reading the news too much? How can I use the time, talents, and treasure that God has entrusted to me so that one day I will hear, Well done, good and faithful servant? As a Christians knowledge grows, love and understanding are needed toward those who may not have as much training. This is one of the most impactful and important benefits of reading the Bible. You cant find that anywhere but by reading scripture. The knowledge of God's Word will build you up, and deliver your God-given inheritance into your hands (Acts 20:32). To be sure, in the aftermath . Proverbs 16:16 Verse Concepts How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! As a result, there are thousands of professing Christians who are not growing in godliness, but they think that they are eternally secure in Christ. But there are thousands of faithful, fruitful men and women whose names are known only to God. She knew that motivation is a key to learning and she was a master motivator! This is one example of how our perspective about life changes as wegrow in the Lord. Lori Stith, from Stoic Matchmaker, a platform with a unique method to help other Christians apply the Bible to their lives. While there are numerous ways that reading the Bible brings us closer to God and benefits us daily. Knowledge and understanding are part of spiritual character building (2 Peter 1:5-9). Alternatively, you could say the prayer at the end of this article then find guidance on what to do after saying the prayer from HERE. Verse 23 tells us this. Learning to walk in the Spirityielding to His controlwill also enable growth in knowledge and understanding, because the Holy Spirit is the Christians greatest teacher. This is not to say that salvation is by works, but rather that genuine salvation always results in a life of growing godliness. All I knew was that God wanted me to have them. But it is also clear that simply being aware of God's existence is not sufficient; the knowledge of God must encompass the deep appreciation for and relationship with Him. Second, how do you know that your repentance and faith were genuine? That seems unrealistic, in that we all stumble in many ways (James 3:2). The gift of knowledge is the supernatural ability to impart a specific word of wisdom into a situation. 3:18). How much more can God deliver you and lift your burdens knowing His incredible love for you. 4. And by knowledge the rooms are filledWith all precious and pleasant riches. You can gain knowledge by reading a book on becoming a better homemaker or how to cook the best apple pie, but when you read the Bible, you gain wisdom that will strengthen you, give you peace, give you joy and equip you to face lifes difficulties. 25 Excellent Benefits of Reading the Bible Daily As a deer pants for flowing streams,so pants my soul for you, O God., Howsweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!. Required fields are marked *. This collection of bible verses give insights into the value of . And all desirable things cannot compare with her. . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. To enjoy the amazing benefit from having wisdom and knowledge, once you have acquired them, you need to do the following: Wisdom is God, and He desires for you to know and understand Him. Lets look at the gift of the word of knowledge, its purpose, and how to activate it. Pray and ask God for wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul lists nine gifts of the Spirit. Many Believers operate within a word of knowledge without even realizing it. Verse 10 also teaches us that moral failure is almost always at the heart of false teaching. A word of knowledge is when God supernaturally imparts comprehension of a current or past situation to you that you would not otherwise know. In the present, growing in godliness will give us the joy of being useful and fruitful to the Lord, so that we dont waste our lives. Repent for anything that He shows to stand in your way of moving into new levels of faith, such as doubt and unbelief. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. Quality time together strengthens friendships and relationships. If you are a true believer, you are an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. Your email address will not be published. Also, I plan to spend far more than I earn so that I will run up huge debts. No one plans to be useless and unfruitful! Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls. 2. LEB. Please contact us or click here to learn more about how to enable JavaScript on your browser. Peter explains why (For) we should apply all diligence to supply these qualities (1:8): For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then he explains further and warns (1:9), For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Note three things: Peter states his point negatively to call attention to what happens if you do not grow in godliness: you will live a useless, unfruitful life. Then, after believing in Christ, through His Word we come to understand that the reason God called us to salvation is that He first chose us before the foundation of the world (Eph. Wisdom comes from God Almighty. Rather, in the context of the false teachers who had turned away from the faith, Peter means that if you are diligent to grow in godliness and thus confirm your calling and election, you will not turn away from God and commit apostasy as the false teachers had done (Thomas Schreiner, The New American Commentary, 1, 2 Peter, Jude [Broadman & Holman Publishers], p. 305). Tools. Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are Spirits. But what exactly does this have to do with knowledge, youre probably asking? Guard your heart. Reprinted by permission of Worthy Inspired., an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc. The importance of the Bible in our daily life. So Peter brings us back to motivation. The literal translation is, they are blind, being short-sighted. These people were so focused on their present circumstances that they were not growing in the qualities mentioned in verses 5-7. This page/post may contain affiliate links. Remembering Gods grace shown to you at the cross will motivate you to apply all diligence to keep growing in godliness. The Christian attitude should be life-long learningThe more I learn, the more I realize how much I needto learn. The heart attitudes of humility and love should guide all intellectual pursuits and engagement. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. Thats why Paul said, I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil (Romans 16:19). The world encourages knowledge of all things, but not all knowledge is good. How do we know God? Only then can you enjoy the amazing benefits of having wisdom and knowledge. As we begin to understand what is important to God, it also shapes our understanding of what is important for His kingdom and what He wants us to do. How we should act or react in situations. For one thing, she would use the words in a humorous way, so that you had to know the meaning of the word to understand the joke. Be the Daniel 11:32 kind! Proud member He was an amazing man whom God used mightily. Have them constantly in your mind and heart. ", Key Verse: Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you. (Job 22:21). We cant do that if our minds and hearts arent full of knowledge and wisdom from reading His Word often enough. Human intellect needs to be redeemed so believers will have the mind of Christ and have their thoughts transformed (1 Corinthians 2:16; Romans 12:2). The Hebrew root yada [ [;d"y ],translated "know"/"knowledge, " appears almost 950 times in the Hebrew Bible. (3:57). They willfully chose to ignore it. All believers are to diligently study the Word. So Peter does not mean that we can attain to sinless perfection if we practice these things. I hope this doesnt describe you, because diligence in the things of God is of critical importance. Understanding, Whelchel says, is the ability to translate meaning from the facts. And Moses blessed them. Copyright 2015-2017 Kenny Gatlin Ministries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Whelchel noted that the word disciple literally means a learner. Christians are called to acquire knowledge of God in order to know what they are called to do. There are a lot of mistaken notions about assurance of salvation in our day. Hearing God, in his own voice while reading scripture helps us to discern when He is speaking with us at other times. Briefly, wisdom has three basic componentsknowledge, understanding and application: 1. Peter shifts from you to he so as not directly to accuse the majority of his readers. It affirms how much God cares for you and brings supernatural peace and comfort to your soul. Yet, he and thousands of others like him were godly, fruitful servants of the Lord. Should we give assurance of salvation immediately after a person professes faith in Christ, or should that come later? It was as if the Lord was saying to me, You focus on being as faithful and godly as John Spurgeon and leave it to Me as to whether you become as influential as Charles Spurgeon! Peter is telling us, Focus on growing in godliness and you will be fruitful in your Christian life., When Peter says, in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, is he talking about growing to know Christ more deeply as you grow in godliness, or is he talking about coming to know Christ at the point of conversion as the basis for growing in godliness? If youre not living with a view to how God can use you to bear fruit for His kingdom, then youre wasting your life. Sproul wrote in his article Walking in Wisdom, Careful study of the Bible is necessary for true discipleship. God has intellect (Romans 11:34), and His universe was created with truth and logic. To me, this has become one of the most important benefits of reading the Bible. Why expend the energy and discipline to set your alarm early enough to get out of bed and spend time with the Lord each morning? To embrace wisdom, knowledge, and understanding is to accept and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. and takethe helmet of salvation, andthe sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. One of the most practical, yet powerful benefits of reading the Bible is that it releases our chains and lifts our burdens. Thomas Schreiner explains (ibid., p. 306, italics his), Peter was not concerned here about rewards but whether people will enter the kingdom at all. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Promise to never leave or forsake us. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. Proverbs 24:5 KJV. Spiritual gifts are often complemented by other gifts. Bible Verses about Knowledge and Wisdom. With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding.(Job 12:13). Whatever method you use, . People with knowledge can collect, remember, and access information, but they might not know what to do with that information. assurance, perseverance, and eternal blessings. This gift encourages action through intercessory prayer and serves as a witness of Gods eternal knowledge to the world. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. In 1962 and 1963, when the U.S. Supreme Court removed Bible reading from American public schools, social conservatives were overwhelmingly concerned about the moral effects. Solomon and the wise men of Israel prized wisdom, understanding, and knowledge as crucial to living prosperously, safely, and effectively. Knowledge, therefore, is learning with perception. The mission of The One New Man Network is to be a bridge of unity and restoration between Israel and the Church, releasing Gods fullness throughout the earth. familiarity with each individual and his or her mannerisms (Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 34:10; Isaiah 48:8; Psalms 1:6; 37:18). Wisdom is gained from God's Word. Do a sign [that] benefits me, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame, because you, O Yahweh, have helped me and comforted me. Matthew 4:4 "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God." Psalm 42:1 "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103. If we grow in godliness, we will have the satisfaction of knowing that our lives are fruitful in light of eternity. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. It will give us assurance of salvation. Prayer is the great privilege of every Christian, even the youngest; but the testimony of the whole Bible and of experience proves that it is the people who really know God intimately who receive answers to their prayers look up 1 John 3:22 and 5:14-15.