Knowledge - Wisdom - Understanding

Ps 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Wisdom is what allowed the Psalmist to see the difference between obedience and foolishness.

Knowledge of the consequences which are gained at the end of a foolish life – This is what the Psalmist gained in the sanctuary of God.

Faith and Confidence in the knowledge that he found in the sanctuary of God – is what brought “understanding” to the Psalmist . . .

‘faith and confidence in God’ – is literally what allowed ‘the warnings of living a foolish life’ to be viewed as a reality – even though it would not be fulfilled until later.

Wisdom – is ‘the ability’ to know the difference between right and wrong . .

And ‘knowledge’ is realizing the truth  - or becoming ‘aware’ of what the truth actually is . . . And Understanding is found in the wisdom of ‘APPLYING the truth’ to our lives - instead of simply ignoring it.

Wisdom is actually a talent that is possessed by some – and not others.

For instance -- Wisdom is “the ability” that we develop to know that dishonesty is wrong and should be avoided . . .While knowledge -- is learning from the Bible what God has said about dishonesty . . . That He tells us “do unto others as ye would have them do unto you” . . . thou shalt not steal – thou shalt not bear false witness (lie) . . .

Knowledge is becoming aware of God’s opinion.

And Understanding is found in the realization that – we do not want ‘others’ to be dishonest with us – so we “understand” that we should apply this knowledge to our lives and avoid dishonesty – if we are going to be what God wants us to be.

If we possess a dead faith – if we have knowledge of God’s opinion – but if we choose not to look for the ability to apply this knowledge to our lives – this proves that we lack understanding . . .

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Wisdom – is the ability that God gives us - to be able to see the difference between right and wrong – good and evil . . . in this case honesty as opposed to dishonesty.

While knowledge is simply information that we learn concerning the truth – -- when we learn what God has said in the Bible – we then possess knowledge of the truth.

Now this is where religion stops – and Christianity begins – Religion is knowledge of what we should do – while Christianity is practicing what we should do or applying knowledge to our lives.

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

God’s gift to all men – is knowledge of His commandment to repent and to call out unto Jesus in faith for salvation . . .

King Agrippa had knowledge of what it meant to be a Christian – but he did not have the understanding – or the willingness - to APPLY this knowledge that he had learned to his life.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Today – you have received knowledge of God’s commandment to repent – and to call out unto Jesus in faith – for the salvation of your soul.

This is God’s gift to you – this is an example of God’s grace – or an example of His kindness toward you . . .

Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

God has given you the gift of knowledge – concerning His truth of salvation . . . God has also given you the wisdom to see the difference between belief and unbelief – the difference between repentance and rebellion – and the difference between salvation and condemnation.

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

We receive an understanding of what these words really mean – when we repent or when we become sorry because we recognize that there is something wrong in our lives . . .

– and we regret our sin – and we regret our unbelief – so that we turn unto God believing that He will change us . . . we turn to God because we want Him to change us and make us clean – as He saves our soul.

So as we progress in knowledge – and as we become aware of what type of things should be avoided in life – as well as what should be ‘sought after’ in life . . . we can even be aware of what God has said concerning specific things in our lives . . .

But if this wisdom – and if this knowledge does not cause us to avoid what we know ‘should’ be avoided in our lives . . . then this

simply means that we lack the understanding to apply what  we “have” learned ‘to’ our lives . . . and as a result we will continue to associate with things which should be avoided – and we will suffer because of this.

Understanding – is related to the choices that we make as individuals . . .

We can know the difference between a right choice and a wrong choice . . . but that is no guarantee that we will make the right choice instead of the wrong one.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 

We can posses wisdom – but we can also refuse to apply wisdom to the choices that we make in life.

We can be fully aware of what God has said concerning a certain matter . . .

but if we are selfish - and if we lack faith because we have refused to commit ourselves unto God –

then we will lack the motivation to apply ‘to our lives’ the wisdom and the knowledge that we have gained – in a way that will change the “direction” of our lives.

If we are envious at the foolish . . . when we see the prosperity of the wicked . . . Then we are in deep trouble if we fail to understand their end.

Temptation to experience pleasure – is what draws us away from obedience.

We “believe” or we hope that pleasure will result in our lives – when we commit sin.

Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Heb 10:26-27

26 For if we sin wilfully(on purpose) after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Now we sin – because we actually hope to receive pleasure in exchange for disobedience . . . that is we have faith (or we believe) that our flesh will feel good because of our sin.

God tells us that the end of sin is death . . . so when we sin wilfully (on purpose) -- when we fail to apply the wisdom of choosing good over evil . .

 --  it is literally because we have more faith that our flesh will experience pleasure – that we do that our heart will be judged of God.

Pr 1:10 ¶ My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Put your faith in God’s promise of punishment to the disobedient – do not put your faith in Satan’s promise of pleasure.

Eccl 12:1

1 ¶ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Gen 41:30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;

The pleasures of disobedience – are like all of the years of plenty spoken of here in the land of Egypt – just before the famine.

Having an over abundance of food for seven years . . . remembering all of the good meals – remembering all of the good crops -- did not remove the hunger of the seven years of famine. 

And neither will the pleasures that are found in unrighteousness (disobedience/selfishness) – neither will these pleasures be able to supply what is needed to our souls – in the day of judgment.

Pr 2: 1 ¶ My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

What exactly does it mean – to understand the fear of the Lord – and to find the knowledge of God?

To understand the fear of the Lord – is to believe in judgment . . . .

To understand the fear of the Lord – is to have more confidence in the punishment of disobedience . . . than we have in the hope of finding pleasure as a result of sin.

To find the knowledge of God – is to simply allow the Holy Spirit of God to teach us.

We cannot find the knowledge of a God – that we are rebelling against in our lives.

Matt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

If our God is found in humility – then we will be blind to Him - as long as we live in pride.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1Pe 5:5 ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth (opposes) the proud, and giveth grace (divine influence) to the humble.

God is able to influence the life of the humble.  If the God of heaven gives grace (kindness) to the humble – what do you suppose is left over for those of us who are so in love with ourselves

– that we refuse to humble our hearts to accept His Word . . . . and to sacrifice our lives . . . and to practice His will?

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

To yield is defined as no longer resisting – that is to give way – or to surrender to another.

We actually serve the Spirit that we have quit resisting.

Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Do we resist the truth? – if so - then we cannot be a servant of the truth . . .

Do we resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our heart – if so -- then understand – that we cannot follow a spirit that we will not surrender to.

If we are saved – then we cannot be useful unto God   if we no longer resist the spirit that leads us toward the pleasures of the world.

And if we are lost – then we cannot follow the Holy Spirit to that place of repentance and faith in Jesus . . . if we turn away from His conviction and refuse to surrender to His will in our heart.