With the massive information out in the world today, there is a remarkable demand to be informed, or “in the know.” The problem is we are drowned in information but sometimes lack true spiritual knowledge.
You can have an avalanche of information but knowledge of the world alone won’t do it, we need the knowledge and understanding that stems from the archives of God. And so let’s look at what the Bible has to say in regards to the foundation of knowledge and understanding.
What Does the Bible Say About Knowledge and Understanding?
The first thing to note is that the Bible tells us not to rely on our own understanding but to lean on the knowledge of God, or the knowledge of the holy.
It also tells us that there is good and bad knowledge by which we are surrounded by every day; the wisdom of the world vs the wisdom of God. This is also where the Bible comes in, it says “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
Bible Verses on Knowledge and understanding
Proverbs 18:15 “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”
Solomon speaks here about how a wise person is always seeking to gain knowledge and in this case godly wisdom. This verse is about earnestly yearning to know more about the vast knowledge contained in the Word of God. A word to the wise!
Proverbs 15:14 “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.”
Here, Solomon was making a contrast between the wise and the foolish. He told us that a wise person meditates and grows in the Word of God, but a foolish person seeks his truth from petty material things.
So this verse encourages us not to dwell in foolishness and the vain pursuits of the world, but to seek the knowledge and the truth of God, for as the quote says “You are what you eat.” And know that God loves those who love him and those who seek Him daily (Proverbs 8:17).
Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.”
The foundation of this verse stems from the verse that says in every way we have to be bearing good fruits (Colossians 1:10). And it is important that we examine ourselves first before we can save others.
And then once we live by the Word of God, we can then pass this knowledge unto unbelievers.
Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Another encouraging verse for us as believers is that we must ask in faith, and seek to know the mystery of God, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and full riches of complete understanding (Colossians 2:2-3).
Jesus is also inviting us to knock so that the doors and the windows of Heaven can be opened unto us.
Proverbs 8:10 “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.”
The message here is that we all have a choice to make in life, the wealth of the world, or eternal life. This truth was illustrated when Jesus shared the story of the rich man who died and went to a place of torment because he valued his riches more than his soul.
Saying that to say this, the Word of God is much more valuable than gold. You can have the whole world but without God you have nothing. And remember that there is no wealth or repentance in the grave.
Bible Verses on Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding
2 Timothy 3:15 “And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Today, we are constantly tempted by the wisdom of the world, where the Bible has been twisted and misinterpreted by scientists and even through different religious beliefs.
However, like Paul’s message to Timothy, he wanted to stress the importance of the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, which can make you wise especially now in such a twisted world.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
The book of Proverbs teaches us that wisdom can be found in the Word of God. The Bible says “All who follow His precepts have good understanding.”
Solomon warns us that to obtain Biblical wisdom, it first starts with a fear of the Lord, and turning away from evil (Job 28:28).
The Bible also tells us a wise man listens to instructions (Proverbs 1:5) and acts accordingly, but a fool hates the very thought of there being a God.
And so again, Solomon is advising us to take heed of God’s Word, for it is much more rewardable being fools for Christ, rather than fools of the world.
Proverbs 4:7 “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
The lesson here is simply “Wisdom is the principal thing”. The lesson passed down from King David to his son Solomon to us is that wisdom is what will guide us, discipline us and give us good judgment throughout our lives (Psalms 111:10).
Ecclesiastes 7:12 “For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.”
Godly wisdom serves as food to the soul, which is essential now and for the days to come. Like Paul who marveled in the depth of the riches that lie in the deep knowledge of God, he tells us that the advantage of having wisdom.
He said it guards us against the empty deceit or succumbing to the elemental spirits of the world.
Proverbs 2:10 “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”
God’s Word clearly states that one who gains wisdom loves his own soul, and those who keep understanding will find good. Solomon also explains that when we value God’s Wisdom and seek knowledge in the Word of Christ, it will bring joy to our souls.
1 Corinthians 12:8 “For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit.”
Paul was describing here that each of us has been blessed with spiritual gifts, some of which are wisdom, knowledge, and faith. We have been given these gifts not only to benefit us but also to be used to carry out the work of the Lord.
Colossians 1:9 “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
This message was Paul’s prayer for the Colossians asking that they be blessed with more knowledge and wisdom of God. This prayer was needed then and is definitely needed now.
And so we too should join in this prayer asking to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. It’s that spiritual wisdom that promotes our spiritual growth.
Isaiah 11:2 “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
In this verse, we get an understanding of the characteristics of who Jesus was. The spirit of the Lord had blessed Him so that believers can be encouraged to strive for those same qualities.
The same Spirit that blessed Jesus was the same that was bestowed unto the disciples, and this signified that they were of God. This spirit was also what led and counseled them and gave them the wisdom that they needed to carry out their God-given assignment.
And so we too should walk in the spirit and fear of God, so we can be guided by His light.
Proverbs 24:5 “A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might.”
Solomon understood that a man with wisdom and knowledge is full of strength. It was this wisdom that guided the Israelites through their victory against the Amalekites.
And this God is the same then and is the same God now. And so we should hold on to the wisdom of God so that we too can be guided through the battles in our lives.
Bible Verses on the lack of Knowledge and Wisdom
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Most of the problems that people go through are because of a lack of wisdom. And we can read from the Old Testament how essential godly wisdom is, especially when we come across adversities in our lives.
You will also come upon challenges in your lives that, on your own, you won’t be able to solve, and as such James is telling you that God gives wisdom to those to earnestly ask for it.
Because of His steadfast love for you, even with your faults He generously provides insights to His Word for the renewal of your mind (Romans 12:2).
Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”
It was sad when corruption had swept the minds of the Israelites back then, and it is still sad now that the people of God are drifting away from the knowledge of God.
Like them, believers today have access to the Word, and know of the promises of God, but have turned their back on God and have failed to follow the law of the Lord.
Nonetheless, the same warning that was given to them is for us believers today, whether it is you have gone astray or a backslider in heart, don’t be caught up in the way of fools or be destroyed because you lack knowledge.
This will not only affect you but have dire consequences for your children as well.
So no matter how far away you have drifted, you can always choose the path of repentance and seek the wisdom of God (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Proverbs 1:28-29 “28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.”
This is another warning to all believers to use the wisdom of God before making any decisions. Solomon wants you to know that it makes no sense to ignore the knowledge of God now and then seek it out years later.
The sad truth is when we need it the most, we won’t find it. And there will be wrath on those who live in selfish ambition and refuse to fear God.
We all have access to the truth of God, and with that, comes free will, and it is up to us to choose the path we are willing to walk.
Job 36:12 “But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword, and die without knowledge.”
The problem with man’s wisdom is that oftentimes they try to lean on their own understanding rather than the guidance of God. The Bible wasn’t wrong when it says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it is death.” (Proverbs 16:25)
And so to those who have an ear let them hear, and take heed to the word of God, so that you don’t die by your own actions (Mark 4:23), but overcome the pitfalls of the devil.
Jeremiah 4:22 “My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”
The message outlined here is one of harsh reality, that even the children of God, can fall at the hands of the enemy. Why? Because they lack wisdom and it becomes a battle between doing what is right or delighting in what is wrong.
Thank God for grace, for even when we foolishly move without the wisdom of God, He still cares (Psalm 30:5).
So we are encouraged not to be like the five foolish virgins who knew the truth but ignored it. Let us take heed of the warnings, and continue to put oil in our lamps.
Proverbs 15:7 “The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.”
The Bible tells us that the wise give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools ignore the knowledge and wisdom of God.
It also tells us that the wise will spread the knowledge and the truth of God, but the heart of fools live in unrighteousness and therefore is not able to bless the lives of others.
Conclusion
Knowledge and understanding play a vital part in our spiritual growth. And so I pray that God will give you knowledge and understanding and bless you with His wisdom so you can live your life wisely and be able to deal with the complexities of your life.
