Do You Have Understanding Prov. 1 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Understanding is mentioned 53 times in Proverbs. It is obviously very important. Do you have understanding? You know you are getting understanding when:
You walk uprightly – Prov 15:21 – because you have departed from evil [Job 28:28]. You understand that sin is why Jesus died on the cross and so you start dropping your sin and yielding to his righteousness.
You seek the knowledge of God – Prov 15:14, 2:5 – you want to know the Bible and the God of the Bible, yet not to get puffed up [1 Cor 8:1]. I have often thought if young people would not only learn the Bible but get to know God, they would begin to understand God as he reveals himself to them and they would begin to understand the fear of the Lord. They wouldn’t want anything or anyone to get between them and the Lord. Prov 9:10 says, “The knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
You separate from evil companions – Prov 2:11-12, 16 – because you understand that hanging around them is going to get you in trouble. When a young man grows up in a Christian home without alcohol, tobacco, filthy movies and the like, if he doesn’t have understanding, as soon as he gets around people that do these things, he will join them. If he has understanding, he won’t join in their sin.
You can take a reproof – Prov 15:32 – because you understand that a needed reproof is a blessing. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” “The reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”
You seek wise counsel – Prov 1:5 – and you attain it, because you understand that people wiser than you can help you as the Lord directs your life in righteousness.
You find good – Prov 19:8 – Rom 8:28 says that all things work together for good… but oftentimes men don’t find the good in the things that happen in their lives. Men and women of understanding will find the good.
You have a wellspring of life – Prov 16:22 – you understand that eternal life is in Jesus Christ. You have him. With the abundant life of Christ, time dissolves into eternity. It just gets better every day.
You have an excellent spirit – Prov 17:27 – because you understand that what you have in wisdom and understanding is far greater than anything money can buy. Prov 16:16 says, “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”
Conclusion: If you find that you don’t have understanding, then by all means begin seeking it.