Do you know the difference? 

I recently heard a very good explanation on 3 words that we find used together in 9 verses of Scripture.

These words are: knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

Over the past couple of months, I have been busy studying for a Ladies conference to be held in March. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Study’.

Myself, and 2 other speakers, are hoping to impress upon the attendees the importance of being in the Word of God, not only in the reading of the Bible, but also in studying, meditating on, striving to learn what the Scriptures say, applying what we learn to our lives, and more importantly, obeying what we read.

I am so excited for this conference as being a student of the Word of God, digging deeper and trying to make sense of what I read has become a passion of mine. The goal of my blog is to encourage women to become more like Christ and to get passionate about the Word of God and not be content to simply read their Bibles like a short devotional, but to chew over the harder passages of Scripture and learn their meanings, developing a desire for God’s Word and a hunger and thirst not only for the Word but its author also.

I long for women to read their Bibles, totally engrossed in every little detail, utterly absorbed in the stories, amazed and astounded at the truths they find there, hanging on every word and pouring over God’s Word with intense curiosity and interest, wanting to know what each passage means and how it applies to their lives.

We have to come to the realisation that our spiritual growth is directly proportionate to the amount of time and effort we put into the study of our Bibles.

Our spiritual growth can be stunted because of our spiritual diet. If we don’t feed ourselves, we won’t grow. It’s as simple as that.

There is so much more I would love to say on this subject, but you’ll have to come along to the conference to hear more!

Let’s get back to these 3 words. Knowledge. Wisdom. Understanding.

Read this passage found in the book of Colossians, written by Paul and Timothy to the church at Colosse.

Colossians 1:1-6, 9-12 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: ... 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; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

We see these 3 words in this passage. And in 8 other passages in Scripture, we see them again, used together. I think the mention of these words together only helps to reinforce the connection they have.

Paul prays that the Colossians will have knowledge and wisdom and understanding. He longs for them to have these things so that they can walk worthy of their calling and that they would produce fruit, be strengthened in Christ, and experience patience, longsuffering and joyfulness.

What a beautiful prayer Paul prays for these beloved Christians. Oh, that we would pray this prayer over our fellow believers and ourselves.

But what does it mean to have knowledge, wisdom and understanding?

The explanation I heard recently seemed to sum it up perfectly. Here is my very brief overview and personal take on it. This is not an exhaustive summary and I encourage you to do some searching yourselves on these very important subjects.

Let’s look at knowledge first.

Knowledge is the ‘what’. It is simply information. It is information learnt through Scripture or other resources. Knowledge can also be gained through experience.

It is basically the facts and information.

But knowledge is not enough. We can have all the knowledge in the world, but if we are unaffected by what we learn, then it is of little benefit.

There are entire commentaries written by unbelievers who in some cases, have an exceptional grasp of Scripture, but they know nothing of true love for God and obedience to Biblical truth. They have no wisdom or understanding.

So, what about wisdom?

What is wisdom? Wisdom is the discernment to be able to judge whether the information you are taking in is true and right. Wisdom is the ability to be able to use that information at the right time, in the right circumstances, with the right judgment. Wisdom enables us to put into practice the knowledge we have, judging correctly and taking the appropriate course of action.  

There are so many verses in the Bible on the subject of wisdom that we could spend a lifetime digging into them all. But I love the verse in James 1:5 that reminds us that we can come to God and ask him for wisdom at any time.

Our wisdom comes from God.

Proverbs 2:6 KJV - For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

It is God that imparts wisdom to our hearts and helps us to become discerning.

We need the Holy Spirit’s help to shed his light on the Word of God for our understanding and to gain wisdom.

John 14:26 KJV - 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.

Here’s an important thought to remember.

Knowledge can exist without wisdom, but wisdom cannot exist without knowledge.

We all know people who have a lot of knowledge and yet they lack discernment, practical skills, understanding and the ability to judge correctly.

But if we are to have wisdom, we have to have knowledge. There has to be some knowledge of the facts and information to be able to use wisdom in relation to them. Our knowledge is worthless without wisdom.

Now, onto understanding.

Understanding is the extent to which we comprehend something.

I’ll give you an example. I have very little understanding of the workings of a diesel engine. I know some facts about it. I could point out a few things on one and explain where the oil or water goes etc. But, compared to a qualified diesel fitter, my understanding is very basic. I could read a book on the subject and boost my knowledge but without some wisdom and understanding, it will probably be worthless.

In order to grow in our relationship with Christ and in our spiritual walk, we not only need head knowledge, the facts of what we read in the Bible, but we need wisdom and understanding.

And the way we get this is through reading, study and prayer.

We read in the book of Daniel how that God gave Daniel and his 3 friends knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

Daniel 1:17 KJV - As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

I think that the clue to why God gave them these things lies in verse 8.

Daniel 1:8 KJV - But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

The reason for God’s gift to them was because of their strength of purpose.

They were determined to honour God and obey his commands. They were undeterred in their loyalty to Christ, and I think God rewarded them for this.

And I firmly believe that if we desire to obey God, and walk in his truth, never content with only head knowledge, but always wanting to learn more from his Word in order that we can grow in Christlikeness, seeking God’s wisdom and understanding, then we will be rewarded for our diligence.  

Hebrews 11:6 KJV - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The goal of Bible reading and study is not how much you read or how fast you read. It’s not about how many Greek or Hebrew words and definitions you know. The goal is growing in your relationship with Christ and getting the Word of God into your life, so that it will change the way you live.

We need to read our Bibles with an eager desire to learn. We need to read with passion and interest. We need to develop a fervent, excited, engaged mind, always wanting to read more, know more, study more, learn more, obey more.

If we want to be filled with the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of God’s truths, we have to spend time in the Word. We have to walk close to Christ, spend time talking to him, listening for his voice, pouring out our hearts to him and obeying his words of instruction.

We have to read and reread the Bible. We have to pour over every word. We have to look for the meanings behind each passage. We have to diligently seek him. We have to meditate and examine the Word, giving attention and care and thought into all we read. We have to desire to become devoted students of the Word and have a great love for the Saviour of our souls.

It's not about rules. It’s about relationship.

Don’t expect to know God better if your Bible is closed.

Don’t expect to hear from God if you are not in communication with him.

Open your Bible.

Read and study the Word.

Talk to God daily.

Don’t be satisfied with the milk of a newborn babe. Move onto strong meat, ‘having your senses exercised to discern both good and evil’. Hebrews 5:13,14.

If there is no change in your life, there has been no learning.

James 1:25 KJV - But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.