"What is the difference in knowledge and understanding?" asked a young man studying Proverbs. Yesterday this was the DEEP question I was asked by a seeker wanting the all of God. My mind was whirling on how to answer this skeptical, hurting honest questioner. A thousand answers came into my mind. I had to pray for Holy Spirit to enlighten my mind to know how I could speak with clarity to this person who lives a life so differently from mine.
I asked him if he recalled Cliff from the TV sitcom, Cheers. He nodded. "Cliff was full of knowledge on thousands of topics and no one was interested in listening to anything he wanted to "preach," I told him. In fact I know people full of Bible words and facts, but they have not sought the Holy Spirit for understanding and no one cares to hear them; nor does anyone see Christ operating through their lives.
Thank God this connected with his "understanding." Then we ended up in a long conversation about the difference in a committed life "thriving" with the leading of Holy Spirit and a life waiting to die and finally get things right in Heaven.
I got a little caught in my own "Cliff" moment. I went on far too long on how God has a thriving adventurous life for all of His children. Finally after I operated in my "knowledge" for several minutes, Holy Spirit showed me the depression this young man endures with every step he makes. Bam! (That's my slap up the side of my head.) Depression is a terrible blight on a struggling Christian. When I've been depressed the most irritating painful person is the one trying to get me going before I can stand the light of hope. Oh....thank God I am filled with Holy Spirit; and being filled continually; otherwise I would not have known how to connect with this young man.
After agreeing with him on the drain of depression and showing him I understood; he could hear that there is hope in God beyond what he has known to the present. He'll be in church Sunday and I just "know" he will "see" and understand what God has for him now; and through the rest of his life.
He was totally mystified by my excitement in living and my quest for adventure in each day I live. He first said, "You're fearless." I laughed, "No, my knees knock often. I've got callouses from knee knocks. But my faith in God is so present in everything I do, I believe He's already been where I am going and He directs my steps. He's my assurance."
In my mind this is a logical smooth follow up post from yesterday's post on empowerment through the filling of Holy Spirit. I honestly could not have answered his question in terms he could relate to without the leading of Holy Spirit.
I'll be seeing this young man again soon. What would you suggest I speak to him on the difference in knowledge and understanding?
II Tim. 1:14 13-14So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.
3 comments:
Knowledge is the studying part. Reading the Bible getting into the Word and really absorbing it all. Understanding comes from the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is ask. If you remember, this is one of the topics I did my speech on. The one about how to be successful - I used the pictures of Valerie Bertinelli, Vanessa Williams etc. Anyway - Once we've done our part in studying - the Holy Spirit provides us with the understanding - exactly what you've described here in your post with you. I can't wait to hear how things turn out!
We sometimes get filled with knowledge and all of a sudden we are 'experts'. thanks for the great reminder that my heart needs work too.
Funny, but my friend philip faustin wrote similiarly today when he said that desire without knowledge can lead you astray
http://pfaustin.blogspot.com/
You guys are making me think too much!
David
www.redletterbelievers.blogspot.com
Knowledge to me is another way of saying that there are things that we can study and get in our head.
Understanding is when it makes the connection to our heart. To understand that God is with me and will never leave me or forsake me, I have to have experienced His walking right along with me.
Knowing who I am in Christ, and knowing that He is the Great Physician in my process of dealing with my depression is one thing, but as I have been moving through the healing, and I can look back and see what He is doing, I can understand that He really is the Healer of my soul; that He really wants to see me whole. I am understanding that He really hasn't left me or forsaken me, and that He won't.
I don't know if that helps, but I thought that I would at least try!
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