Wisdom and Understanding


This teaching is the first in a series concerning Biblical healing and must be understood as it is the foundation upon which the building called faith is to follow.
: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.; (Psalms 111:10); How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!; (Proverbs 16:16)

There was a brilliant scholar at our school, one of the boarders, but he had no common sense of how to solve day to day problems, even to the way to fix a bicycle tyre puncture. He had cleverness but no understanding.

However, the wisdom that we are discussing here is that which concerns spiritual matters resulting in our relationship with our Maker.

We shall see that we have to work at obtaining wisdom and understanding and that various other factors, such as righteousness, knowledge and discretion also play a role.
Righteousness and wisdom go together.
The wise can perceive righteousness, the wicked love doing evil.

There are also various Spiritual gifts, given by God to His servants directly, which when used, have an immediate effect on all those present.
For example the gift of the word of wisdom will be used by God to solve a pressing problem that exists in a gathering of those reborn Christians who need to have it resolved. Or, the gift of the word of knowledge might be for the benefit of just one of them. Or, the gift of healing will enable one of the gathering to instantly heal the illness of another

It must be stated at this stage that only those who are reborn of the Spirit of God through the Covenant that was made on our behalf by Jesus when He was crucified, died and rose from the dead, and are obedient to that Covenant, shall receive any of the gifts as described in the following passage of Scripture. This will be explained in more detail in the writings that follow and form part of this series*.: Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.; (1 Corinthians 12:1-13)

As we shall see below, king Solomon asked for and received wisdom and understanding from God and as a result was famous therefor throughout the world at that time:: In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.; (1 Kings 3:5-14)

Some Psalms, most of the Proverbs as well as Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon were written by him and we are still learning from them today.

Here are some passages of Scripture that should start you on your way to obtain that which you seek:: And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding; They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes; And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:; (Nehemiah 10:28-30); The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.; (Psalms 111:10); *A Song of degrees.* Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.; (Psalms 128:1); The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.; (Psalms 147:11); The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.; (Psalms 19:7-8); Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.; (Psalms 90:8-12); The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:; (Proverbs 3:19-21); Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.; (Proverbs 4:7); Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.; (Proverbs 4:10-15); The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.; (Proverbs 9:10); The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.; (Proverbs 10:30-31); Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.; (Proverbs 12:22); In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.; (Proverbs 12:28); Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.; (Proverbs 13:13-20); He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.; (Proverbs 14:2); The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.; (Proverbs 14:8); A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.; (Proverbs 14:16); Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.; (Proverbs 14:22); In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.; (Proverbs 14:26-27); He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.; (Proverbs 14:31); Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.; (Proverbs 14:33-35); The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.; (Proverbs 15:7); The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.; (Proverbs 15:14); The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.; (Proverbs 15:24); The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.; (Proverbs 15:29); He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.; (Proverbs 15:32-33); The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.; (Proverbs 16:1-7); The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.; (Proverbs 16:21-23); A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.; (Proverbs 17:10); Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?; (Proverbs 17:16); He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?; (Proverbs 17:15-16); A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.; (Proverbs 17:22); He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.; (Proverbs 17:27); The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.; (Proverbs 18:15); He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.; (Proverbs 19:8); There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.; (Proverbs 19:21-23); There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.; (Proverbs 20:15); The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.; (Proverbs 20:12-13); When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.; (Proverbs 21:11); The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.; (Proverbs 21:16); He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.; (Proverbs 21:21); There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.; (Proverbs 21:30-31); Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?; (Proverbs 22:17-21); Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.; (Proverbs 23:9); Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.; (Proverbs 23:12); And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 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 of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.; (Isaiah 11:1-5); The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.; (Isaiah 50:4); For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.; (Romans 14:8); Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.; (Ephesians 1:15-23); If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.; (James 1:5-8)
: Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.; (Psalms 2:1-12)
: The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.; (Psalms 9:9-20)
: And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.; (Luke 12:4-10)
: Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.; (Matthew 21:18-22)


* Biblical Healing Part One.
* Biblical Healing Part Two.
* We Are One