Understanding Part 18

Proverbs 17:27 NKJV

He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

It is no wonder we are told to make sure we get understanding! It affects so many areas of our lives. Here Solomon points out that understanding causes us to be calm. The Amplified Version translates it as having “a cool spirit.” When we allow our emotions to drastically swing us from one extreme to the next it shows a lack of understanding. When we are quick to react without evaluating the circumstances and investigating the realities, we exhibit a lack of understanding. The more we understand, the more self-control we will display. Our enemy can hurt us more easily when we are predictable. When he can plan to present something to us knowing exactly how we will respond, his work is easier because we are weaker. As we gain understanding our enemies will find it more difficult to throw us off or distract us and take us off course.

Understanding Part 17

Proverbs 15:32 NKJV

Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

Proverbs 19:25 NKJV

Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

One of the ways we increase our level of understanding is by responding positively to correction. First of all, when we continually put up a defense against correction we exhibit a lack of understanding. We need to find out why it is so hard for us to be corrected. When we are corrected we need to listen attentively, get our emotions under control, and then evaluate what we have heard soberly. If we respectfully respond to correction we can only get better and our understanding will increase. 

Understanding Part 16

Proverbs 15:21 NKJV

Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, but a man of understanding walks uprightly.

Solomon points out here that when we choose to live foolishly, it is because of a lack of understanding. On the other hand, when we have understanding we choose the upright way. Ignorance about the true consequences of sin and wrong choices causes a person to live without purpose. Understanding enables us to choose to do what is right in the eyes of God. 

Understanding Part 15

Proverbs 15:14 NKJV

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

Solomon says that one thing that will reveal your level of understanding is what you choose to pursue. There are so many options around us when it comes to taking in information or entertainment.  Fools pursue foolishness – things that have no value, but are counterproductive to developing a fruitful life. The person with understanding seeks for knowledge – information that will benefit. Lord, help us to be wise about the use of our time, and seek knowledge instead of foolishness.

Understanding Part 14

Proverbs 14:33 NKJV

Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.

We need understanding to know what to share and what to keep. In Matthew 7:6 Jesus warned against casting pearls before swine that would trample them under their feet and then attack you. Sometimes we can be so excited about what we have learned that we want to tell everyone. However, some things God shares with us or some things we learn or discover are not to be shared indiscriminately. Some things we need to keep totally to ourselves for a time. Some things need to be shared with a specific person or a select group, while other things are for disseminating to the public. Wisdom and understanding help us to discern what to do with what we know. So let us seek God’s face and stay close to Him to allow Him to develop us in the area of wisdom and understanding.

Understanding Part 13

Proverbs 14:29 NKJV

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding. But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

The more understanding we get the less angry we will be. Anger is justifiable in some cases. Even God gets angry. However, if God did not have control of His anger we would all be destroyed. Sometimes people have said that if they were God they would have destroyed the world by now. We should all be glad that God alone is God and He is slow to anger. Obviously He understands more than we do. He is good and He is wise. As we increase in understanding we will be less impulsive and more in control of our emotions. It will take more to get us angry. We can try to be less impulsive and slow to anger but without increasing in understanding we will have a great struggle. We must endeavor to increase in understanding. As we get more understanding we will not have to try, we will automatically see improvement in those areas.