The Spirit Of Understanding

THE SPIRIT OF UNDERSTANDING

"For the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

The feelings of an understanding heart give us the sweet spirit of assurance of not only knowing but doing what is right, no matter what the circumstances. As we read God's Word, it's the Spirit of Understanding that will reveal and expose these things so that we can "deal" with them. When we don't read the Word and the Spirit of Understanding is not allowed to operate, then we won't be able to see or find our way. Hosea 4:14 says "...people that do not understand shall fall."

How many times have you sat down and read God's Word, gotten up and not remembered a thing you read? Well, God's Spirit of Understanding was not operating.

The Spirit of Understanding is God's supernatural revelation-His secret insights to His Word. The Spirit of God illuminates our hearts and gives us understanding of His Wisdom. In other words, He "turns on the lights for us." (Nancy Missler - https://www.khouse.org/articles/1996/138/)

It gives us discernment. When you have understanding, you'll see the following things in your life:

-- You'll understand what's going on behind the scenes. You'll be able to piece together what's really happening.

-- You'll perceive why people act the way they do.

-- You'll find it easier to see people and situations with God's eyes and maintain His perspective.

-- You'll be able to discern the cause of things that you deal with from day to day and God's timing more easily.

No matter how good a man’s understanding is, it is not enough for him to know God’s will. Knowing God’s will and having fellowship with God require spiritual understanding. Only spiritual understanding leads one to the realm of the spirit and enables one to know God’s will. Fleshly understanding enables one to know some truths, but these truths will only remain in one’s mind. Spiritual understanding can transform what it has understood into life because it comes from the spirit.

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A spirit of revelation and spiritual understanding go side by side with each other. God has given us a spirit of wisdom and revelation; He has also given us spiritual understanding. The wisdom and revelation we receive in our spirit must be realized by the understanding before we can know the real meaning of the revelation. Revelation is what we receive from God; understanding is comprehending the revelation we have received from God. Spiritual understanding tells us the meaning of all the movement within our spirit; it enables us to know God’s will. Our fellowship with God relies on our spirit receiving God’s revelation, on the intuition of the spirit sensing this revelation, and on the spiritual understanding to interpret the meaning of this revelation. Our own understanding can never resolve anything. When our spirit enlightens our understanding, the latter knows the purpose of God’s movement.

ATTRIBUTES OF UNDERSTANDING

1. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF UNDERSTANDING

(A) We need to remove the wrong philosophy from our minds that other people are the source of understanding. Too often we automatically look to other people - the pastor, Sunday school teacher, seminary professor or other educated person or book to give us understanding. God can use other people in giving us understanding, but He is the source of understanding. It's wonderful that we can go to him at any time when we lack understanding and He will give it to us.

The ability to understand the Bible is something that God gives to us. Understanding is a gift from God, it is not something that we conjure within ourselves. As Christians we have the ultimate opportunity in life to have God to give us perfect counsel and direction. He has perfect understanding of what is best. He has perfect knowledge of what works and what will have poor results. He is so far superior to everyone else combined that no one has anything, even some small discovery, which they can teach God.

Do you think that the educated community's method, idea, theory, instruction, etc. is better than what God says? Subconsciously the church has fallen into this trap.

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable."(Isaiah 40:28 )

(B) To receive understanding we need to recognize our position as Christ's servant who needs understanding. Those who feel they already know because of their education will not view themselves as servants and will likely miss looking to God to give them understanding in a crucial moment. "I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies" (Psalms 119:125 )