“Give me understanding”
Part One

Understanding … or the lack thereof is a life-changer!
Understanding… is a key to spiritual maturity!

How many times have we heard someone say, “I just don’t understand why….”?
How many times have we said it ourselves?

Let’s explore from the scripture what it means to be “a man (person) of understanding”.

This phrase, “man of understanding”, is often in the proverbs:

1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding             shall attain unto wise counsels:

10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath                        wisdom.

11:12 He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbor: but a man of understanding             holds his peace.

15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding                  walketh uprightly.

17:27 He that hath knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of              an excellent spirit

17:28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his              lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding                will draw it out.

28:2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of            understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

The word “understanding” in the OT has several connotations: reasoning, discernment, perception, wisdom, awareness, comprehension, etc. Likewise, in the NT: comprehension, a mental togetherness, full knowledge, having healthy cognitive faculties, etc.

No wonder the Psalmist asked the Lord, “give me understanding and I shall live” Ps. 119:144

No wonder why all of us should make the same request.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

There is “our own understanding” and then there is understanding that comes from the Lord. The first step to attaining understanding that comes from Him is to acknowledge that He is Lord of all and that His Word is absolute truth. If one does not believe that there are absolute truths; that person has no accountability that is greater than themselves and therefore they can justify any life choices, behaviors, words or deeds, value system, and morals they desire.

For the person who desires “understanding” from the Lord; the first step is simple… acknowledge that He is Lord of all and that His Word is the Sovereign “Say So” for everything in our life! His Word is the absolute truth that when believed and obeyed will bring favor, blessing, success, contentment, and understanding into our lives.

Part 2 coming up… what does “keeping the commandments” have to do with being a “person of understanding”?

D L Rogers