The book of Proverbs talks much about understanding and its essence to personal growth and success. What’s the big deal about understanding and why is it so important?
“Our acts can be no wiser than our thoughts.
George Clason, The Richest Man in Babylon
Our thinking can be no wiser than our understanding.”
Now, read that again. Think about it.
Is it true?
Understanding is synonymous with: insight, judgment, awareness, perception, discernment, comprehension
Don’t confuse knowledge with understanding. One may have knowledge and yet lack understanding. Let me explain with an illustration:
My son (10 years old at the time) had all the knowledge of the potential danger of bullets, gunpowder and fire. Nevertheless, he decided one day to make a firecracker for himself. He needed gunpowder to complete his firework so he took a hatchet to a .22 round and the bullet exploded in his face. A small piece of the metal casing lodged in his eyeball resulting in an ER visit and 3 days in the hospital. In the weeks and months following the injury, he spent a significant amount of time at various Dr appointments and going through 2 surgeries. We are grateful that he has retained near-perfect vision in the injured eye.
What formerly was only knowledge to my son, is now anchored in understanding. He has acquired understanding in the dos and don’ts of bullets, gunpowder and hatchets.
Understanding is knowing what is right and following through with that even if it’s the hard way.
Understanding is often, though not limited to, personal experience.
To have understanding is:
- To shun evil
Job 28:28 …The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to shun evil is understanding. - To control one’s tongue
Prov 11:12 Whoever derides his neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds his tongue. - To be patient
Prov 14:29 Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. - To be even-tempered
Prov 17:27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. - To heed correction
Prov 15:32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves; but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
Understanding will:
- Give you guidance
Prov 1:5 …the one who understands will obtain guidance. - It will guard you
Prov 2:11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
What happens if we don’t pursue understanding?
Romans 1: [31] they refuse to understand… [24] so God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired… [27] as a result, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
Hosea 4:14 …a people without understanding will come to ruin.
Do you see how important understanding is?
I repeat:
“Your actions can be no wiser than your thoughts.
Your thinking can be no wiser than your understanding.”
Now for the fun part: “How do I go about cultivating understanding?”
KEY #1:
- Know God. He is the essence of understanding.
We must know His love and live in it. We must know Him as a personal friend.
Prov 9:10 states: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
One way to know God is to know His Word, the Bible. Make the Bible a part of your daily life. Listen to it often, read it, meditate on it and hide it deep in your heart. Ask Him to reveal truth to your heart as you listen to His words.
Your understanding will grow exponentially just by doing this one thing.
Did you know that if you listen to/read 6 chapters of the Bible per day, you’ll get through the entire Bible in 6 months? Or take 8 chapters of the New Testament per day and you’ll get through that in a month. Do it for a year!
To have understanding is the foundation of success.
May we be known as People with Understanding.
Stay tuned for Part #2 as we look at two more keys in how we can cultivate understanding. Hint: it’s easier and harder than you think!
Post script:
Some of you may think (from the story above) that we have ammo laying around the house for the kids to play with. We don’t. Guns and ammo are secured in different locations, but sometimes even that isn’t enough for a 10-year-old boy who has an idea embedded in his mind.