In the sermon yesterday I talked about the value of seeking understanding and wisdom. There are many Proverbs that speak to this. Here are a few as a sample:
Proverbs 2:1–4 1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 18:15 15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
I understand that thinking deeply, studying and teaching are not the primary means by which many worship God. That is totally ok. However, the Proverbs share many warnings to the simple to not stay in their simple thinking (Prov. 1:22). This doesn't mean that you have to become a world class theologian on every topic, but it does mean you need to learn how to think and have a cursory understanding of the important topics.
As we do seek knowledge and understanding I think it is so important that we do so in community with others. To do so we must seek knowledge with Scripture, humility, love and worship.
Scripture:
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Humility
- 1 Corinthians 8:1–3 1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up,
Love
- 1 Corinthians 8:1–3 1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
Worship
- Romans 11:33–36 33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” 36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.