It’s easy to have wisdom interwoven with understanding and assumed to mean same thing. But do they really mean the same?

“And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
Isaiah 11:2 NLT

While Isaiah 11:2 might look like 3 bundles/pairs of the functionality of the Spirit of the Lord, however, one thing is clear, and that is the fine delineation between the Spirit of wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

Has God ever asked you to undertake a project, start a business or ministry, embark on a journey? Now, can you remember Him providing you with clear details of every stage of that endeavor from the onset?

Do you sometimes feel like you don’t know what to do? Take a look at Proverbs 24:3-4, I love this portion of scripture…

“Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.“
Proverbs 24:3‭-‬4 NKJV

Defining Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding

There are different definitions of wisdom; the right application of knowledge, knowing what is right or true, sensible thinking, etc.

The Bible provides somewhat different definition of wisdom…

“And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”
Job 28:28 NLT

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 NKJV

Wisdom is to fear the Lord.

To fear the Lord is to reverence the Lord, to trust fully in the Lord, to hearken to the Lord.

Understanding is often explained as comprehension, insights, good judgement, awareness, discernment, etc.

From the Bible, we learn that understanding means to clearly delineate evil from good and to choose to embrace good. Understanding means discernment, clarity, gainful reflections.

Knowledge is acquired fact or information.

So, with knowledge, we gather information/facts, understanding helps us make sense of knowledge while wisdom helps us arrive at the right decision/action.

Usefulness of Wisdom and Understanding

“Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.“
Proverbs 24:3‭-‬4 NKJV

We create things through wisdom and establish them through understanding.

God created all the beauties of earth and heaven through wisdom. Through understanding, He founded and established all His creations.

“By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.“
Proverbs 3:19 NLT

“But the Lord made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens.
Jeremiah 10:12 NLT

Solomon amassed the most recorded wealth in the scriptures by operating in wisdom and understanding.

“God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore.“
1 Kings 4:29 NLT

“With your wisdom and understanding you have amassed great wealth— gold and silver for your treasuries.“
Ezekiel 28:4 NLT

A prosperous farmer is one that has understood the times and seasons and through wisdom takes the right actions.

“The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding.”
Isaiah 28:26 NLT

“Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:17 AMPC

Therefore while we can create things through the wisdom of God, understanding is what helps us bring them to tangibility.

We need knowledge, wisdom and understanding to create and amass wealth.

To be successful in life, knowledge, wisdom and understanding must work together.

Where to find Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding

“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding“
Proverbs 2:6 NKJV

“But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.“
Job 12:13 NLT

“Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.“
Psalms 119:104 NLT

How to Get Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding

1. Understanding comes to us as insights when we listen and are perceptive.

Understanding comes from listening, by being perceptive, through reflective thinking, through discernment.

“To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.
Matthew 13:12 NLT

“Perceptive words spread knowledge; fools are hollow—there’s nothing to them.”
Proverbs 15:7 MSG

“Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.”
Proverbs 20:5 NLT

“Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.”
Proverbs 18:2 NLT

“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.”
Proverbs 17:27 NLT

2. Knowledge is in The Word of God.

“And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding. He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.”
Proverbs 2:6‭-‬8 MSG

3. Wisdom begins where the fear of the Lord rules however wisdom becomes fully expressed when we go back to God for understanding and knowledge.

Making Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding work for you.

If you ever feel like you do not know what next to do in what God has asked you to do, you need wisdom….. indeed, you’ll need more than wisdom to be successful.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.“
Proverbs 4:7 KJV

Without understanding, wisdom is fruitless.

“Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.”
Proverbs 24:3‭-‬4 NKJV

We need understanding to gain knowledge, and we have to apply knowledge gained in order to act wisely.

Here is what I see in all of this; Listen to the Word of the Lord and draw understanding, then you will build knowledge (become knowledgeable) and when you apply gained knowledge, then you are operating in wisdom. That’s how to know what to do at every time ‘t’.

“A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.”
Proverbs 14:6 NLT

Listen. Understand. Know. Act.

This is the expected pathway to acting in wisdom. However, many times, this is not the common pathway God walks us through.

Now, back to that God-inspired project you embarked on….did God walk you through; listen to my word, gain understanding, know what I want you to do, then do it? …

Commonly, we find ourselves starting from Acting on a Godly counsel (instruction or directive), we hear God say ‘start this’ or ‘do that’ and we generally obey and follow.

We follow because we trust and reverence God. By doing so, we actually begin the walk towards wisdom…. the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom….

But then, in the middle of it all, we may seem lost unless we go back to; Listen, Understand, Know. I believe that it is when we go through this process that we are able to establish and bring to tangibility the things God spoke to our hearts.

“Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.“
Proverbs 24:3‭-‬4 NKJV

Whatever point you are at in that Godly mission, here’s a prayer to pray….

I thank You Father because I have wisdom, understanding and knowledge. I listen and draw from understanding and knowledge from You (Your Word and Spirit), so I say that I know what to do (in line with your plan and purpose). Success is inevitable and success will be my experience in Jesus Christ name. Amen!

Everything God asks us to do will 1. work for the furtherance of the gospel; improve people’s knowledge of God, 2. Be of benefit to other people.

We must understand how the world we live in works, we must find out how our Godly mission fits into the larger whole, and we must identify areas of impact God would have us make.

Wisdom to create. Understanding to found and establish. Knowledge to make it functional and fit for purpose.

Thank You Father ❤

Welcome back again!

In part 2, we discussed God’s ‘1 man-1 woman plan’ for marriage. God gave Adam (AN ) Eve, not more than one woman. Eve must have therefore been built to adequately cater for Adam’s sexual needs.

Once again, I recently engaged 2 middle-aged men in a discussion to find out why men cheat on their wives. Below were their response:

1. Wives often claim they are tired and would rather rest than indulge
2. Wives ignore/abandon them and focus on the children
3. Wives pay little or no attention to personal care and their physical appearances and so are unappealing.
4. Some wives are terrible home-makers and the man only manages to sneak in, sleep and jump off as early as he cans.
5. Some wives are really troublesome and so unpleasant companions.

Interesting! Do you notice that from the man’s perspective, the woman is the trouble. These husbands have no role to play in their sexual experience with their wives!

I wonder what kind of responses wives would give about their husbands!

I enjoyed listening to these men talk, but wasted no time in telling them they have no excuse whatsoever to commit adultery.

And that’s exactly the problem. Some christian men unlike Joseph in the Bible, lack the fear of The Lord. They do not see sex outside of marriage as sin against God (their spouse and their own bodies). Their focus is on following their desires and quenching their passions.

Secondly, these men appeared oblivious of their role as heads of their homes.

Questions: Do you quickly and swiftly acquire another child because the one you have is not satisfying your fatherly yearnings? Do you abandon your faulty car and buy another simply because you entered it, put on the ignition and it just refused to move? Do you create a new ‘You’ ( a new individual) because your attempts at becoming successful in whatever area of life, proved abortive?

Then why would a man think that the solution to not being satisfied sexually by his spouse is to seek another woman?

Is it not possible that you are simply being controlled by unbridled and uncontrolled desires and passion?

Hey! my christian brother, you may be swimming in lust and accepting the simplest meaningless excuse.  Is it possible that if you invest the time, energy and commitment you make towards chasing another woman on your wife, that your relationship with her could be better?  Did you ever consider discussing your ‘sexual challenges’ with your wife? Did you ever mention to her that you are at the brink of adultery and you needed her attention and help? Or are you also like an elderly man i met recently who thinks women should not be made to feel too important otherwise they start misbehaving? PRIDE?

Think on these things beloved. Think on them.

How well do you rely on God to run your life/home? Do you allow God the slightest chance to be at WORK in you as seen in Philippians 2:13 (AMP)

For it is (not your strength, but it is) God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work (that is, strengthening energizing and creating in you the longing and ability to fulfill your purpose) for His good pleasure.”  

A selfless love of one’s wife as admonished by the Bible in Colossians 3:19, requires a denial of some of personal desires and wants. Consider for a second what your unfaithfulness and infidelity would mean to your wife…..you are not alone in this world oh! married man!

“Husbands love your wives (with an affectionate sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them) and do not be embittered or resentful toward them (because of the responsibilities of marriage).”

Brother, fear God, keep your marriage vows to honor your spouse, be selfless and seek mutual benefits for you and your spouse. One woman is what God gave man, and one woman is good enough.

Stay blessed and away from sin.

My love always..

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12 disciples, thousands and thousands of followers, but only 1 rock!

Every time I read the accounts of the apostles of how Jesus chose His disciples, one thing always stands out; …….The Master’s selection of Peter as ‘the rock’.

Why did Jesus choose Peter as head over the other apostles? Why not John, Matthew, and the rest of the disciples? What characteristics qualified Peter for his leadership role?

Luke’s account (Luke Chapter 5) of how professional fishermen were outwitted by a seemingly ordinary Teacher/ Preacher remains one of my favorite portions of the Bible. But a very interesting and not-to-be- missed moral of that story is Peter’s acknowledgment of the supremacy of Jesus! As a professional Fisherman, Peter immediately recognized that only a miraculous intervention would have given them a net-breaking catch of fish after all their failed attempts.

“When Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying; ‘depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Luke 5:8

Peter’s reaction reveals a deep reverence for God and his teachable nature.

But Peter did not only deny Jesus 1, 2, 3 times post crucifixion (Matthew 26:69-74), he disowned and abandoned Jesus, embraced his fishing profession once more, pulling the other disciples along with him! (John 21:1-3).

God does not always judge us by our actions, I believe that sometimes He looks at the heart and motive.

Peter could only weep bitterly following the crow from the rooster, a reminder of Jesus’ prediction of his denial, because not only was Peter sincerely sorry for his actions, but most importantly Peter recognized he’d sinned against Christ.  Reminds me of David and his adultery withBeth- Sheba, and God’s unwavering choice of David as a man after His heart….It’s the same reason Joseph would not sleep with Potiphar’s wife nor Daniel bow to an unknown god!

I mean Jesus already saw through Peter as a courageous, passionate, yet vulnerable fellow with great leadership potentials. His vulnerable nature was a gap in personality that could only be filled by the fear of The Lord which is the only sure guarantee to doing what is fair, just and right at all times and in all circumstance.

Peter had the fear of The Lord and that enabled him see sin as evil against God.

Jesus probably chose Peter to shepherd his sheep from the first time He set eyes on him or even before his birth! Jesus had invested so much grooming Peter for several months that He was not about to give him up so fast. The Master’s plan was simply to make a Fisher of souls out of a Fisherman! Peter didn’t yet catch it….So The Lord came to Peter again post resurrection, caught him in the act; fishing for fish instead of souls (John 21:7-14).

Now I imagine The Lord saying to me; ‘Grace, do you love me more than your profession, wealth, food, etc?’ just as He prodded into Peter! Wow!! That was just disarming.

Jesus was saying to Peter, I chose you as shepherd over my sheep, don’t let this sheep scatter, keep them together.

It was only at that point that Peter finally understood his mission to lead the other disciples even though his follow up question to Jesus reveals his utter surprise and shock. Why would The Lord choose him over John (the disciple he loved so much)? This suggests a possibility that while The Lord was waiting on Peter to pick up the mantle of leadership and roll, Peter was waiting for John to lead!

However, on the day of Pentecost, Peter was a different man! Halleluyah!

He was charismatic and a total display of passion, conviction, and connection to/for God. He spoke with poise, optimism, conviction, mixed with a Christ-like compassion that exuded warmth and love!! I love the Peter of the Pentecost and thereafter!!

The word of God had been buried in Peter all along (probably why he had such deep reverence for God), and it was spilling out of his mouth, nostrils, ears and every part of his being. I can only describe the Peter of the Pentecost as a man ‘totally possessed and consumed by the Spirit of God’. He did not speak with the gifting of flesh or from knowledge gained through education.

So, just like David, Peter hid God’s word deeply in his heart and he knew it.

My question to you today, would you describe yourself as a man after God’s heart? Do you qualify as such? Do you think imbibing and developing some or all of Peter’s attributes could inch you forward towards gaining that mark?

It’s your decision and it’s your choice….

To do what is fair, right and just is only borne out of a deep reverence for God. Selah!