Brothers and sisters in Christ, Proverbs 4:7 teaches us “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” This verse proves that wisdom and understanding are totally different things so in this study we'll be taking a deeper look at these two topics. There's no doubt that “The [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 53:1 amp) which is why this investigation is so essential. Many around us may possess wisdom but that doesn't necessarily mean they have understanding.

(General Wisdom:)

The quest for wisdom by itself is a noble pursuit. One of the quickest ways to become wise is to thoroughly study God's Word (more specifically His eternal commandments). The mighty king David once wrote that “The law of Yahweh is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). David was also wiser than his own teachers because he studied the Law (Psalm 119:97-99) meaning that he knew the moral mindset of God and through His Word became more able to serve Him.

False Christians who continually rationalize or dismiss Yahweh's undying Law do so at the cost of not knowing God nor His eternal Will for Israel and in turn they teach others the same lawlessness. For example, because they're not familiar with Jesus nor His Word they also aren't aware of (and oftentimes simply ignore) the fact that Christ taught both heaven and earth would pass away before even “one jot or one tittle” would be disannulled from the Law of Yahweh (Matthew 5:17-19). Many simply prefer lies over truth (Jeremiah 5:31).

Solomon's book of Proverbs has much to say on the subject of intelligence containing over a quarter of the entire Bible's teachings on the topic of "good judgment." Long after it was established that wisdom was the principal thing, John the Revelator states “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18). Wisdom itself teaches that understanding (and common sense) is required to recognize the enemy.

(Justified Wisdom:)

Jesus teaches “John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children” (Luke 7:33-35). There's nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9) and it's the same way today with Jesus' own pastors frequently under attack by those that hate Him and deny His deity. However, truth is truth and history will always remain as such.

While the purpose of Proverbs is “To receive the instruction of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:3) the objective of the new covenant Gospels is centered around Jesus' teachings and how they complete (or "fulfill") the Old Testament. Christ is the wisdom of Yahweh firstly because only He can give those He chooses "eyes to see and ears to hear" and secondly because He's the great I AM Himself. Approximately 80% of Americans consider themselves to be some type of "Christian" but a great majority of them deny the Savior's own teachings.

Moses once told told the children of Israel “Yahweh hath not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day” (Deuteronomy 29:4) while in the New Testament Jesus Christ “Opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). If we tell the truth, pray for wisdom (and understanding) while providing Bible and history references we'll certainly be hated most of all -- the enemy also hated Jesus Christ because He was (and always told) the truth (John 7:7 & 15:18).

(Worldly Wisdom:)

The wisdom of the world is much different than genuine wisdom from God through Jesus. While the 'worldly man' will usually just talk about meaningless subjects like television, current trends or "political correctness" the man who's wise in the ways of Yahweh and His Word works towards furthering the Kingdom of God. You cannot call yourself a follower of Christ (aka: Christian) if you deny the teachings of Christ or love untruths: “Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate” (Proverbs 24:7).

Paul writes “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (I Corinthians 1:18-19 & 27). Yahweh chooses His own flock and all those "slumbered" are meant to be as retarded as they are.

Worldly wisdom isn't common sense, "street smarts" nor is it being “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16) -- it's an outright interest in all things that don't matter. Today's 'medical advances' will be tomorrow's mistakes and life's too short to spend it glued to the television set watching American Idol. Useless worldly wisdom gets one enslaved to the whims of the world (or flesh) while “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments” (Psalm 111:10).

(True Understanding:)

Understanding is entirely different than wisdom because it can only be obtained though prayer to (and from) God. This type of insight is important because it helps one to see the enemy right before his own eyes. Again: “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18). Another word for understanding is discernment and Christians are continually commanded to practice using it -- sadly not many do.

Pay close attention to what's being said in this passage from John: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 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” (I John 5:19-20). The true God is Jesus and only through Him can authentic understanding be obtained. There can never be any union with those who hate His name or reject His teachings.

This prayer request made by the apostle Paul further proves the point that wisdom and understanding are unalike: “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” (Ephesians 1:17-18). One can study the 'calling' of Yahweh in the Bible all they wish but only the Holy Spirit can give that reader understanding if he prayerfully requests it (James 1:5).

(Chosen Understanding:)

Once the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him why He taught in parables and He told them “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand” (Matthew 13:11 & 13). Genuine Christianity does not teach fictitious doctrines like "accepting Jesus" because the Messiah came for Israel alone (Matthew 10:5-6 & 15:24) and selects whomever He has need of.

Correctly identifying God's chosen people is vital! Christ once asked the doubting jews “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do” (John 8:43-44). These unfortunate jews in John 8 were not chosen by Yahweh to accept (nor understand) the teachings of Christ and because of this fact Jesus eventually tells them “He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47).

Jesus teaches “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14) and that even fewer find the way to salvation (Matthew 7:14). He also says “Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16) when dealing with the enemy (or 'wolves in sheep's clothing') so prudence and discernment should be used in all matters. It should be apparent that we can not join forces with any antichrist element nor false "god" that might rear its ugly head because it's compromise that has sickened a once healthy and Christian America.

(Godly Understanding:)

The opposite of 'worldly wisdom' is true Godly insight or perception. It's through spiritual discernment and trying of the spirits (I John 4:1) that we can protect ourselves from any needless (or possibly harmful) situations that might arise in the future and only through Yahweh's Word can such expert guidance be obtained. Only a fool denies God (which makes perfect sense) because man is inferior in everything they do and are unable to create life, control weather, offer salvation or understanding -- only idiots listen to the godless!

Daniel 12:4 teaches that in the end times “knowledge shall be increased” and Yahweh says that true pastors do exist: “Return, O faithless children [of the whole twelve tribes], says the Lord, for I am Lord and Master and Husband to you, and I will take you [not as a nation, but individually]--one from a city and two from a tribal family--and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you [spiritual] shepherds after My own heart [in the final time], who will feed you with knowledge and understanding and judgment” (Jeremiah 3:14-15 amp).

Stay on the straight and narrow! It's this type of perfect understanding that all Christians should strive for by doing God's Word (Romans 2:13 & James 1:22). All working relationships require action (on behalf of both parties) so those who intend to follow Jesus Christ must also be prepared to do as He says -- “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Of course everybody and their mother will claim to be authentic Christians which is why discernment and the Holy Bible are both so critical for a loyal and true Christian life.

(Intention:)

My intention with this sermon on perception is to prove “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh” (Proverbs 21:30). Only God is the giver of life making Him the final authority in all matters so never allow man to judge you. Before studying your Bibles always pray to God for wisdom and understanding allowing Him to speak to you though its timeless pages. After you have studied be sure to set aside time to actually listen to Yahweh because when we spend all our time talking we can't hear His answers. War for Christ! Amen.