Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom | What Do I Know?

Whether said in gest or in serious self-examination, the answer to this timeless question, “What do I know?”, colors our life principles and priorities. So knowing a bit more about “knowing” might be of greater benefit than we first imagine.

The Scriptures speak of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom and their value to a man and the prosperity of his soul (Prov 24:4). Beginning with knowledge, what do I know?

First, I find I want to “know”. Something within me desires to “know”. I want to “know” what is good and evil, right and wrong, just and unjust. The desire to know is a God-given and God-purposed desire that humans made in His image possess.

Second, as a result of wanting to “know”, I look to my authorities to “know” more about knowledge. Parents, church, scripture, and wise counselors are common authorities. I tend to look to scriptures first, and here I find particulars and specifics that can form, inform, and expand my understanding of knowledge:

1. In the garden, there was a tree of knowledge of good and evil.
2. Knowledge informs us of good and evil.
3. Knowledge informs our actions.
4. Knowledge and discretion are related.
5. No knowledge and senseless are related.
6. From the Lord’s mouth comes knowledge
7. Take knowledge over gold.
8. Through knowledge the righteous are delivered.
9. If you love discipline, you love knowledge.
10. Fools do not discern words of knowledge.
11. Knowledge can come through receiving discipline and instruction.
12. Knowledge without love can puff up
13. We can have knowledge of truth
14. We can have knowledge of God

Scriptures are full of references to knowledge. These I have listed purport the value of knowledge to the life and soul of a man (or woman). A few other’s warn that knowledge apart from love puffs up the knower.

So let’s ponder knowledge a bit more.

1. There is knowledge to be found.
2. Knowledge is to be fervently sought after.
3. Knowledge comes in the form of words, instruction, and discipline.
4. True knowledge bears good fruit.
5. A life of wisdom is not possible without knowledge.
6. Knowledge must be ruled and ordered by love

These are just a few observations we can add to our understanding of knowledge and our relationship to knowledge.

What about you? What do you know?