TRUE SPIRITUAL
UNDERSTANDING
People’s pre-conceptions
and miss-conceptions of the
“meanings” of Biblical words are extremely difficult to deal with. The Scriptural study of the words Knowledge,
Discernment, Understanding, and Wisdom has opened my eyes
to my own miss-understanding of some of these words; and at the same time has
demonstrated to me (once again) how much I still don’t know about the “deep
things” [1 Corinthians 2:10] concerning the word of truth.
All humans possess a body, a soul, and a spirit (our “substance”);
we also possess a heart, a mind, and a conscience (our “faculties”).
I believe that we acquire worldly, temporal, secular, or carnal “knowledge” mainly through the faculty of the mind
(our “intellect”) and that we can also acquire “Bible Knowledge” (“knowledge” about
the Bible and/or Bible “subjects”) with this same “faculty”.
It is my firm belief that the basic “problem” with most of today’s “Christian Schools” (Primary,
Secondary, Colleges, Universities, and Seminaries), and nearly all of the many “Christian”
Schools established since the beginning of the Reformation, is the adoption of worldly and carnal teaching “methods” (Humanistic courses, curriculum, and programs - aimed solely at the mind).
Or to put it another way - “Bible” or “Christian” subjects are being taught
simply for the sake of “knowledge” alone, with very little thought (or care, or
consideration) about genuine “spiritual” understanding and discernment (based
on the words of God as found in the Holy Bible). Genuine Biblical “spiritual” understanding
and discernment involves the exercise of not only the “faculty” of our mind,
but also the “faculties” of our heart and of our conscience.
In addition to the exercise of the “faculties” of
our heart, mind, and conscience, the nature of true “spiritual” knowledge,
discernment, understanding, and wisdom also involves the “substance” of
our spirit; and is dependent upon our spirit <> receiving
instruction from the Holy Spirit (through the Holy word of God) <> transmitting,
conveying, and disclosing genuine “spiritual” truths to our hearts, our minds,
and our consciences [1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 1 John 2:20,
27] in order that
we might KNOW “THE TRUTH”; and that we might LIVE ACCORDING TO
“THE TRUTH” [1 John 2:21, 3:19; 2 John 1:1-2; 3
John 1;3].
I believe that genuine “spiritual” understanding (“Godly understanding”
– based upon Scripture) is primarily dependent upon two basic Biblical principals:
1. For all those who seek true “spiritual
understanding” there is, first and foremost, a fundamental necessity of
possessing a contrite and humble spirit, in order to receive Scriptural
instruction from the Holy Spirit of God.
[Isaiah
57:15 For thus
saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell
in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite
and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and
to revive the heart of the contrite ones.]
2. The basic requirement that those
persons seeking “spiritual” understanding, are possessed of good heart
(honest & sincere - Luke
[Luke
8:15 But that on
the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart,
having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.]
[2
Timothy 1:7 For God
hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound
mind.]
[1
Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure
heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:]
[Titus
UNDERSTANDING
UNDERSTANDING
– UNDERSTAND – UNDERSTOOD - UNDERSTANDETH – UNDERSTANDEST
{160 times in 156 vs.} {91 times in
89 vs.} {37 times in
36 vs.} {11 times in 11 vs.} {4 times in 4 vs.}
UNDERSTANDING - FIRST OCCURRENCE IN SCRIPTURE:
Exodus 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom,
and in understanding, and in
knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
UNDERSTAND -
FIRST OCCURRENCE IN SCRIPTURE:
Genesis 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language,
that they may not understand
one another's speech.
UNDERSTOOD -
FIRST OCCURRENCE IN SCRIPTURE:
Genesis
42:23 And they knew
not that Joseph understood
them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter
UNDERSTANDETH
- FIRST OCCURRENCE IN SCRIPTURE:
1
Chronicles 28:9 And
thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a
perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the
imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but
if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
UNDERSTANDEST -
FIRST OCCURRENCE IN SCRIPTURE:
Job 15:9 What knowest thou, that we know not?
what understandest
thou, which is not in us?
UNDERSTANDING
DIFFERENT KINDS OF UNDERSTANDING
There exist
two basic different kinds of “UNDERSTANDING” in this world.
It is important for Bible believers to distinguish between “human understanding” (i.e. “understanding” that is not spiritual, but is worldly; temporal; secular, and carnal) and
“spiritual Understanding” {i.e. “understanding” that is given (or
taught) by God, and which comes directly from God}.
MANKIND’S QUEST
TO “UNDERSTAND”
{All Of Man’s Religions & Philosophies -
Including Humanistic Psychiatry & Psychology.}
Job 37:5 God thundereth marvellously with
his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts.
Romans
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or
who hath been his counseller?
A PERSONAL (or
“Private”) “UNDERSTANDING” OF THE BIBLE = WHY & HOW
{Human reasoning
and comprehension of the Bible and Bible “Subjects” that is subject to cultural influence, personal prejudice, denominational
bias, and human error.}
A GODLY (Spiritual) “UNDERSTANDING”
OF THE BIBLE = WHY & HOW
{Spiritual Understanding
and Comprehension of God’s Holy word that is given or taught
by Almighty God, and which is always Factually True; Scripturally Sound; and
Spiritually Edifying.}
{Much
of the so-called Bible “understanding”
that Christians have today is the reasoning
and understanding of the “Christian” scholars
and commentators who’s “personal bible understanding” or “private
interpretations” are eagerly sought
after and accepted by most ordinary Christians as truth; and who’s “private interpretations” are being taught in “Bible” Schools and
“Christian” Colleges and Universities as the truth; but which are, in
reality, often subject to cultural influence, personal prejudice, denominational
bias, and human error.}
WHERE DOES ONE FIND TRUE “SPIRITUAL
UNDERSTANDING”?
Job
28:12 But where
shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
Job 28:20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where
is the place of understanding?
21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the
fowls of the air.
22 Destruction and death say, We have heard the
fame thereof with our ears.
23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
Job
Psalms 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great
power: his understanding is
infinite.
Proverbs
THE “UNDERSTANDING” OF GOD
{The
“Understanding” of the Person and Majesty of Almighty God}
Psalms 47:7
For God is the King of all the earth:
sing ye praises with understanding.
Jeremiah 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the
wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might,
let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth
glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that
I am the LORD which
exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in
these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Deuteronomy
32:1 Give ear,
O ye heavens, and I will speak;
and hear, O earth, the
words of my mouth.
2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall
distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers
upon the grass:
3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye
greatness unto our God.
4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and
right is he.
Job 26:14 Lo, these are parts of his ways:
but how little a portion is heard of him? but the
thunder of his power who can understand?
Job 36:29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his
tabernacle?
Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the
foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Isaiah 40:21 Have ye not known? have ye not
heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood
from the foundations of the earth?
22
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof
are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and
spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the
earth as vanity.
Isaiah 43:8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf
that have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and
let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us
former things? let them bring forth their witnesses,
that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have
chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me
there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11
I, even I,
am the LORD; and beside me there
is no saviour. {The “Understanding” of the Person and Majesty
of Almighty God is one of the things most lacking
in Modern Christianity!}
GODLY UNDERSTANDING
GOD’S UNDERSTANDING {Spiritual Understanding – Possessed Only By God}
Psalms 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the
Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Job 28:20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the
fowls of the air.
22 Destruction and death say, We have heard the
fame thereof with our ears.
23 God understandeth
the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
Proverbs
Jeremiah 51:15 He hath made the earth by his
power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out
the heaven by his understanding.
Job 26:12 He divideth the sea with his power,
and by his understanding he smiteth through the
proud.
Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting
and mine uprising, thou understandest
my thought afar off.
1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father,
and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD
searcheth all hearts, and understandeth
all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he
will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
UNDERSTANDING GIVEN
BY GOD {Talent and Ability
(given by God) to accomplish a given Task}
Exodus 31:3 And I have filled him with the
spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding,
and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Exodus 35:31 And he hath filled him with the
spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding,
and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
Exodus 36:1 Then wrought Bezaleel
and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom
the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to
work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all
that the LORD had commanded.
1 Kings
2 Chronicles 2:13 And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,
14 The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man
of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in
silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in
fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find
out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the
cunning men of my lord David thy father.
MEN ARE URGED TO “GET” UNDERSTANDING
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs
4:7 Wisdom is the
principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with
all thy getting get understanding.
{WISDOM = “the
principal thing”, and with all our “getting”, we should “get
UNDERSTANDING”!}
Proverbs
2:1 My son, if thou
wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction
of a father, and attend to
know understanding.
Proverbs 5:1 My son, attend
unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear
to my understanding:
Proverbs 8:5 O ye simple,
understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Proverbs 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Proverbs
Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get
wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather
to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs
Deuteronomy 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this,
that they would consider their latter end!
GODLY UNDERSTANDING {“Spiritual Understanding”: Given by
God - Imparted to Men}
Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and
the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
Job 38:36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts?
or who hath given
understanding to the heart?
1 Chronicles
1 Kings 3:12 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.
1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding
exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea
shore.
Daniel
1 Chronicles 28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.
2 Chronicles 2:12 Huram
said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth,
who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and
an house for his kingdom.
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the
Lord give thee understanding in all things
Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, *
{* An extremely important Biblical Principal: All genuine and true “spiritual understanding” must come from God.
A man can NOT receive true “spiritual understanding” without God Himself
imparting “spiritual understanding” to a man’s spirit and opening up a
man’s heart, mind, and conscience to receive that
“spiritual understanding”.}
1 John 5:20 And we know that
the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding,
that we may know him that is true,
and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true
God, and eternal life.
Ephesians 1:17 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:
18 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,
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the
day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might
be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;.
* Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
{* An extremely important Biblical Principal: There are some “things” (spiritual matters and issues) that
can only be “understood” – “THROUGH
FAITH” - i.e. The Creation;
The Godhead; The Inspiration & Preservation of the Scriptures; Salvation;
Prophesy; etc.}
GOD’S WRITTEN WORD (“Words”) GIVES UNDERSTANDING
ALSO
1 Chronicles 28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.
Psalms 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:99 I have more understanding
than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. *
{* An extremely important Biblical Principal: If
a man wants to “get” true spiritual understanding – he will have to study
God’s “precepts”, “testimonies”, and “words’”– NOT man’s precepts & words!}
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge
and understanding.
[Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.]
Daniel 9:2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof
the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that
he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
MEN REQUEST UNDERSTANDING FROM GOD
{Understanding - in
order that they might: learn and know His word; discern
judgment; and obey His Will}
Psalms 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of
thy wondrous works.
Psalms 119:125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
{An extremely
important Biblical Principal: “Spiritual Understanding” is a TWO-WAY
STREET! God “gives” us understanding
in order that we might “learn” & “know” His word; and we “get”
(receive) understanding through
His word!}
[Psalms 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.]
[Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.]
[Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.]
{A side note: David prayed for (and
desired) understanding “according to thy word” [Psalms 119:169]; and because he knew and understood
God’s “precepts” – David HATED “every false way” [Psalms 119:104]! Please notice: David did not “try to
understand” false doctrine, nor did he “attempt to reach an accord” or “an
accommodation” with those who promoted heresy
(i.e. “every false way”); instead he insisted that “ALL” of God’s “precepts
concerning ALL things to be right”. [Psalms 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all
things to be right; and I hate
every false way.] There is NO
“room” for LEAVEN when it comes to the Holy
words of God or Bible Doctrine, i.e. “thy precepts”. [Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump.] If a person truly LOVES God’s word (as King David did) they will HATE
“every false way” (as King David did). Remember what God said about David: “. . . . I have found David
the son of Jesse, a man after mine own
heart, which shall fulfil all my will. [Acts
1 Kings 3:9 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?
1 Kings 3:11 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;
{A Scriptural
Principle: A person must have an “understanding heart” BEFORE they can “discern
judgment!}
Job 23:5 I would know
the words which he would answer me,
and understand what he would say
unto me.
Psalms 119:34 Give
me understanding, and I
shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
{A Scriptural Principle: A person must have
“understanding” in order to KEEP God's Commandments!}
Psalms 119:73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and
fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy
commandments.
{A Scriptural Principle: A person must have
“understanding” in order to LEARN God's Commandments!}
Psalms 119:144 The righteousness of thy
testimonies is everlasting: give
me understanding, and I shall live.
{A Scriptural Principle: A person must have
“understanding” in order to LIVE!}
Daniel
Daniel 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said
I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
Daniel
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding
in all things.
MAN’S SPIRIT IS CONNECTED WITH “SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING”
Job 20:3 I have heard the check of my
reproach, and the
spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
Isaiah 29:24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that
murmured shall learn doctrine.
GODLY UNDERSTANDING {Taught by God – Addressed to Men}
Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach
knowledge? and whom shall he make
to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and
drawn from the breasts.
Psalms 25:12 What man is he that feareth the LORD?
him shall he teach in the way that
he shall choose.
Isaiah 41:19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set
in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
20
That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the
hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of
Israel hath created it.
Psalms 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate
every false way.
Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words
giveth light; it giveth
understanding unto the
simple.
Daniel 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed
be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons:
he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth
wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22 He revealeth the deep
and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the
light dwelleth with him.
Daniel
Daniel
Daniel
Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and
understand, that from the
going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the
Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the
street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Daniel 10:1 In the
third year of Cyrus king of
Daniel
Daniel
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew
12 Then understood they
how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of
the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Matthew
13 Then the disciples understood
that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Mark
Mark
Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
John
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
THE UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S WAYS
Proverbs
Psalms 25:12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun,
that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet
bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and
chance happeneth to them all.
Isaiah 29:16 Surely your turning of things
upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of
him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing
framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
Isaiah 40:14 With whom
took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of
judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the
Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Daniel
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus.
Revelation
THE UNDERSTANDING OF
GOD’S WILL {“Spiritual Understanding”}
Ephesians
Deuteronomy
4:5 Behold, I have
taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God
commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither
ye go to possess it.
6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your
wisdom and your understanding
in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
Ephesians
Ephesians
3:14 For this cause
I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted
and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend
with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye
might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not
cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the
knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
HOW A PERSON CAN GET “GODLY UNDERSTANDING”
{We get “understanding” by seeing, hearing, & reading}
Job 13:1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear
hath heard and understood it.
Isaiah 6:9 And he said, Go,
and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand
not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and
shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear
with their ears, and understand with their heart, and
convert, and be healed.
Isaiah 43:8 Bring forth the blind people that
have eyes, and the deaf that
have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and
let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us
former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that
they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have
chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed,
neither shall there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
Matthew
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias,
which saith, By hearing ye shall hear,
and shall not understand; and
seeing ye shall see,
and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears
are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest
at any time they should see
with their eyes, and hear
with their ears, and should understand
with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it
is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are
without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see,
and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time
they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to
him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God,
persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the
prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and
some believed not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that
Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias
the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye
shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears
are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
understand with their
heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent
unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF “UNDERSTANDING” BY SEEING
Isaiah 41:19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set
in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
20 That they may see,
and know, and consider, and understand
together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel
hath created it.
Isaiah 44:18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut
their eyes, that they cannot see;
and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
Luke
Romans
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made,
even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish
heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Romans
shall understand.
SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF “UNDERSTANDING” BY HEARING
Job 23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I
might come even to his seat!
4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer
me, and understand what he
would say unto me.
Nehemiah
Proverbs 5:1 My son, attend
unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear
to my understanding:
Proverbs
Isaiah 40:21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard?
hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood
from the foundations of the earth?
Daniel
Matthew
Mark
John
SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF “UNDERSTANDING” BY
1 Chronicles 28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this
pattern.
Nehemiah 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly,
and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
Psalms 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy
wondrous works.
Psalms 119:104 Through
thy precepts I get understanding:
therefore I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
{God’s words “giveth understanding” & God Himself “gives
understanding”: 2Timothy
2:7 Consider what I
say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.}
Psalms 119:169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O
LORD: give me understanding
according to thy word.
{Godly or spiritual
“understanding” must be according to God’s word.}
Daniel 9:2 In the first year of his reign I
Daniel understood by books the number of the years,
whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet,
that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the
abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy
place, (whoso readeth, let
him understand:)
Mark
Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read,
ye may understand my knowledge
in the mystery of Christ)
GODLY UNDERSTANDING
{Exercised by Man}
1 Chronicles 12:32 And of the children of Issachar,
which were men that had understanding
of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were
two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
2 Chronicles 26:5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding
in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to
prosper.
Psalms 47:7 For God is the King of all the
earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
{“Charismatics” and “Pentecostals” take note!}
Psalms 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and
the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Psalms 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
{If we want to receive true
“spiritual understanding”, we must “meditate” on “Thy testimonies”, i.e.
God’s “words” - NOT Man’s testimonies!}
Psalms 119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. {“Understanding” comes from KEEPING “Thy precepts”, i.e.
God’s “words” - NOT Man’s precepts!}
Psalms 107:40 He poureth
contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where
there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the
poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop
her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe
these things, even they shall understand
the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Psalms 111:10 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.
Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my
words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart
to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand
the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is
hard..
Proverbs 19:8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his
own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in
the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 28:2 For the
transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state
thereof shall be prolonged.
Proverbs 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Proverbs 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own
conceit; but the poor that hath understanding
searcheth him out.
Isaiah 32:4 The heart also of the rash shall
understand knowledge, and the
tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak
plainly. {In the Millennial Reign of Christ}
Daniel
13
But the prince of the
{NOTICE: Daniel “set” his “heart to understand” – NOT his “mind”
only! HEART MOTIVE - a man must have the right “motive” before God will teach
him true genuine “spiritual understanding”.
Daniel
Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for
the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the
transgressors shall fall therein.
Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto
thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Luke
Romans
1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of
prophecy, and understand all
mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I
could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians
Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together
in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God,
and of the Father, and of Christ;
BIBLE EXAMPLES
OF MEN & WOMEN OF UNDERSTANDING
Genesis 41:15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I
have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard
say of thee, that thou canst understand
a dream to interpret it.
Deuteronomy
{“Rulers” (secular
& spiritual) are to be taken from among “wise men and understanding”
men}
1 Samuel 25:3 Now the
name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife
Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful
countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the
house of Caleb.
Ezra
17 And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo
the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what
they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia,
that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
18 And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
Nehemiah 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law
before the congregation both of men and women, and all that
could hear with understanding,
upon the first day of the seventh month.
Nehemiah 10:28 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;
Job 12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who
knoweth not such things as these?
Job
Job 34:10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye
men of understanding: far be it
from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should
commit iniquity.
Job 34:16 If
now thou hast understanding, hear
this: hearken to the voice of my words.
Job 34:34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise
man hearken unto me.
Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of
David, king of Israel;
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and
equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man
knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a
man of understanding shall
attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb,
and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Proverbs
Proverbs
8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Proverbs 10:13 In
the lips of him that hath understanding
wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs 14:6 A scorner
seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of
great understanding: but he that
is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of
him that hath understanding: but
that which is in the midst of fools is made known. {Wisdom & Understanding are tied together - they are inseparable.}
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in
the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 28:2 For the
transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state
thereof shall be prolonged.
Proverbs 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own
conceit; but the poor that hath understanding
searcheth him out.
Daniel 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all
wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding
science, and such as had
ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the
learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Daniel
Daniel
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them,
he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers
that were in all his realm.
Daniel 5:10 Now the queen, by reason of the
words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen
spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor
let thy countenance be changed:
11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit
of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was
found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy
father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of
dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in
the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar:
now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and
said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity
of
14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in
thee, and that light and understanding
and excellent wisdom is found in thee.
Daniel
Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for
the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the
transgressors shall fall therein.
UNDERSTANDING {Instruction Concerning Spiritual Understanding
- Taught by man}
Men can teach about “spiritual understanding”; they can “declare
thy truth”; they can give “the sense” of Scripture; and even “cause
others to understand the reading” of a particular Scripture; but
what men can NOT do is to actually “give” (or impart) to another
man (or woman) genuine “spiritual understanding”. True “spiritual
understanding” can only be “given” (or imparted) by God.
Job
Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the
fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Nehemiah 8:7 Also Jeshua,
and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai,
Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their
place.
Nehemiah 8:8 So they read in the book in the
law of God distinctly, and gave
the sense, and caused
them to understand the reading.
Nehemiah
Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my
words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart
to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand
the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous:
he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his
saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand
righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and
knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding
shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that
speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness
of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my
commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write
them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not
unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go
in the way of understanding.
Proverbs 10:13 In
the lips of him that hath understanding
wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom
of the prudent is to understand his
way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath
it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
Proverbs 17:24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a
fool are in the ends of the earth.
Proverbs
Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
Jeremiah
{A “pastor” is supposed to “feed” God’s people
“with knowledge and understanding” (from God’s Holy word) – It’s up to
each of the brethren to partake (“eat”) of that word [Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4]. The pastor can’t
“eat” for them! You can lead a horse to water – but you can’t “make” him drink!}
Daniel
Proverbs 8:8 All the words of my mouth are
in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to
them that find knowledge. *
{* An extremely important Biblical Principal: God does NOT
teach complex “systems of biblical interpretation” or convoluted “theological formulations”. ALL of God’s words are “RIGHT”; and they are “ALL PLAIN”
to all those to whom God has given “spiritual understanding”.
Mark
1 Corinthians 12:3 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.
1
Corinthians
1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians
Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye
may understand my
knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Philippians
2 Peter
3:15 And account
that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother
Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles,
speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard
to be understood,
which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other
scriptures, unto their own destruction.
UNDERSTANDING CAN BE HIDDEN
BY GOD
Job 17:4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
Isaiah 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed
to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder:
for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and
make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their
eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand
with their heart, and convert,
and be healed.
Isaiah 44:18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their
hearts, that they cannot understand.
19 And none considereth in his heart, neither
is there knowledge nor understanding
to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon
the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the
residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to
the stock of a tree?
20
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he
cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie
in my right hand?
Matthew
14
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias,
which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and
shall not understand; and seeing ye shall
see, and shall not perceive:
15
For this people's heart is waxed
gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and
their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see
with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted,
and I should heal them.
Mark
Luke
John
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might
be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes,
and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor
understand with their heart, and be converted, and I
should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a
day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified
the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the
law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and
some believed not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that
Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear,
and shall not understand; and
seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this
people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have
they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear
with their ears, and understand
with their heart, and should
be converted, and I should heal them.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of
God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great
reasoning among themselves.
Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye
henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk,
in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated
from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the
blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto
lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
UNDERSTANDING CAN BE TAKEN
AWAY BY GOD
Job
THE ABSENCE OF
UNDERSTANDING
Psalms 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Deuteronomy
32:28 For they are
a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise:
neither do the aged understand
judgment.
Job 39:17 Because God hath deprived
her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
Job 42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel
without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
Psalms 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men,
to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none
that doeth good, no, not one.
Psalms
Psalms 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as
the mule, which have no understanding:
whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
Psalms 49:20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is
like the beasts that perish.
Psalms 53:2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to
see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3
Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is
none that doeth good, no, not one.
Psalms 82:5 They know
not, neither will they understand;
they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
Psalms 92:5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
Psalms 94:1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance
belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the
proud.
3 LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and
all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
5 They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, The LORD shall not see,
neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8 Understand, ye
brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he
that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not
he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not
he know?
11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Psalms 106:7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in
Proverbs
Proverbs 7:7 And beheld among the simple ones, I
discerned among the youths, a young man void
of understanding,
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs 18:2 A fool hath
no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
{Humanism}
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the
LORD.
Proverbs 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Proverbs 28:16 The prince
that wanteth understanding
is also a great oppressor:
but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. {John Calvin? Today’s “Imperial”
pastors! World leaders!}
Proverbs 30:2 Surely I am more brutish than any
man, and have not the understanding
of a man.
Isaiah 6:9 And he said, Go, and
tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive
not.
Isaiah 44:18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut
their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot
understand.
Isaiah 56:9 All ye beasts of the field, come
to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb
dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving
to slumber.
11
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one
for his gain, from his quarter. {Celebrity Preachers?}
12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with
strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah
Daniel 8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick
certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was
astonished at the vision, but none understood
it.
Hosea
Micah
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast
out into the draught?
Matthew 16:9 Do ye not yet
understand,
neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye
took up?
Matthew
Mark
Mark
Mark
Mark
Luke
Luke
Luke
John
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech?
even because ye cannot hear my word.
{The Lord can not be referring to people
being physically unable to “hear” with their ears, because the people
certainly “heard” Jesus’ words; the inability to “understand my speech” hinges on “this people’s heart
is waxed gross” [Matthew 13:15; Acts 28:27] and people’s REFUSAL TO BELIEVE
GOD’S “WORDS”. It’s no wonder why so many of today’s “Christians” have so
little true genuine “spiritual understanding” - If they do not even know WHAT
God’s word is, or WHERE to find it!}
John 10:6 This
parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood
not what things they were which he spake unto them.
John
Acts
Romans
21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was
darkened.
Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to
retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do
those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable,
unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things
are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do
them.
Romans
1 Corinthians
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is
charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they
affirm.
2 Peter
2:12 But these, as
natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things
that they understand not;
and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
UNDERSTANDING {Simple Comprehension}
[Numbers 16:30; Deuteronomy 9:3; Deuteronomy 9:6; 1
Samuel 4:6; 1 Samuel 26:4; 2Samuel 3:37; Nehemiah 8:3; Nehemiah 8:12; Nehemiah 13:7; Job 13:1; Job 15:9; Job 36:29; Psalms 73:17; Proverbs 17:28; Proverbs 29:19; Isaiah 28:19; Jeremiah
9:12; Matthew 13:51; Matthew 16:12;
Matthew 17:13; Matthew 26:10;
Mark 14:68; Acts 7:25; Acts 8:30;
Acts 23:27, Acts 23:34; Acts
24:11; John 10:6, 12:16]
“UNDERSTANDING” {Concerning Another
Language}
Genesis 11:5 And the LORD came down to see the
city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one
language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from
them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that
they may not understand one
another's speech.
8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the
earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called
Genesis 42:23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake
unto them by an interpreter.
Deuteronomy 28:49 The LORD shall bring a nation
against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;
2 Kings
Psalms 81:5 This he
ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the
Isaiah 33:19 Thou shalt not see a fierce people,
a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a
stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand.
Isaiah 36:11 Then said Eliakim
and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the
Syrian language; for we understand
it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that
are on the wall.
Jeremiah
Ezekiel 3:6 Not to many people of a strange
speech and of an hard language, whose
words thou canst not understand.
Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.
1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown
tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by
the tongue words easy to be understood,
how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye
shall speak into the air.
1 Corinthians 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he
that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at
thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth
not what thou sayest?
THE “UNDERSTANDING”
OF THE WORLD {“Worldly Understanding” - temporal; secular, & carnal}
Ezekiel 28:4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee
riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar
lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High,
and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an
everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their
kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce
countenance, and understanding
dark sentences, shall stand up.
Hosea 13:2 And now they sin more and more, and
have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their
own understanding, all of it the
work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the
calves.
I am sure there is much more that
could be gleaned from the Holy word of God in regards to this issue, and I may
add more later on; but I have yet to examine
“Spiritual Wisdom”, so I will close for now.