Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8355 understanding

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8355 understanding

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8355 understanding

God-given perception of the nature and meaning of things, resulting in sound judgment and decision-making; in particular the ability to discern spiritual truth and to apply it to human disposition and conduct.

The source of understanding

Understanding belongs to God

Job 12:13; Psalm 136:5 See also Psalm 147:5; Proverbs 3:19; Jeremiah 51:15; Jeremiah 15:15 God's understanding gives rise to compassion.

Understanding is a gift from God

Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 29:24 See also 1 Kings 4:29; Job 38:36; Isaiah 32:3-4; Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:21,30; Daniel 9:22; Romans 15:21; Isaiah 52:15

Understanding spiritual truth

Understanding truth about God

1 John 5:20 See also Proverbs 2:5; Proverbs 9:10; Isaiah 40:21,28; Isaiah 43:10; Jeremiah 9:24; John 10:38; Romans 1:20

Understanding God's purposes

Deuteronomy 9:6 God's reason for choosing Israel; 1 Chronicles 28:19 God's plans for the temple; Job 34:10-11 the reason for Job's suffering; Psalm 73:16-17 God's dealings with the wicked; Isaiah 57:1-2 God's purpose in taking the righteous; Jeremiah 9:12-13 the reason for the exile

God's purpose in bringing judgment:

Jeremiah 23:20; Jeremiah 30:24 Daniel 8:15-16 God's purposes in history

God's will regarding his people:

Ephesians 5:17; Colossians 1:9

Understanding God's word

Psalm 119:73; Luke 24:45 See also Nehemiah 8:8,12; Psalm 119:27,125; Matthew 24:15 pp Mark 13:14; Luke 24:27; Acts 8:30-31; John 12:16

Understanding Jesus Christ's teaching

Matthew 13:11 pp Mark 4:11 pp Luke 8:10; Matthew 16:12; Matthew 17:13; Mark 4:33; Mark 8:17; John 2:22

Understanding God's salvation

Ephesians 1:18 See also Isaiah 41:20; Romans 13:11; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:4,17-19; Colossians 2:2; Phm 6

Human understanding is limited

Job 36:26; Job 37:5; Proverbs 3:5 See also Job 26:14; Job 36:29; Job 42:3; Proverbs 20:24; Ecclesiastes 11:5; Isaiah 40:13-14; Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 13:12

Gaining understanding

Through faith

Hebrews 11:3 See also Matthew 16:8-9

Through God's Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:12 See also 1 Chronicles 28:12; Job 32:8; Isaiah 11:2; John 14:26; John 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 1:17

Through God's word

Psalm 119:130 See also Deuteronomy 4:6; Psalm 111:10; Daniel 9:2; John 20:9

Through wise teaching

Lack of understanding of spiritual truth

Not knowing God

Lack of understanding due to hardened hearts

Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 6:9-10 See also Job 17:4; Isaiah 44:18; Isaiah 48:8; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Matthew 13:13-15 pp Mark 4:11-12 pp Luke 8:10; Mark 6:52; John 12:40; Acts 28:26-27; Ephesians 4:18

Not understanding God's purposes

Psalm 82:5; Psalm 92:6-7; Isaiah 5:13; Isaiah 19:12; Micah 4:12; Luke 12:56; 1 Corinthians 2:8

Not understanding Jesus Christ's teaching

Matthew 13:19

By Jesus Christ's disciples:

Mark 4:13; Mark 9:32; John 4:32-33; John 8:27; John 11:13; John 16:18 Luke 2:50 by Jesus Christ's parents

By some Jews:

John 2:20-21; John 6:51-52; John 8:43 John 4:11 by the Samaritan woman

Understanding people and situations

1 Chronicles 12:32; Esther 1:13; Job 13:1; Proverbs 20:5; John 7:24

Understanding languages

Genesis 11:7; Deuteronomy 28:49; Psalm 81:5; Isaiah 36:11; Acts 2:6; 1 Corinthians 14:2

Those who have understanding

The wise

Deuteronomy 32:29; 1 Kings 4:29; Proverbs 8:14; Hosea 14:9

Good leaders

Jeremiah 3:15 See also Deuteronomy 1:13; 1 Chronicles 22:12; 2 Chronicles 30:22; Proverbs 28:2

Bad leaders, by contrast, lack judgment:

Proverbs 28:16; Isaiah 56:11

The results of understanding

Seeking God

Psalm 14:2 See also Psalm 53:2; Romans 3:11

Obedience

Psalm 119:34 See also Nehemiah 10:28; Psalm 32:9; Psalm 119:100; Proverbs 28:7

Taking the right path

Proverbs 2:9 See also Psalm 119:104; Proverbs 15:21

Life

Psalm 119:144; Proverbs 16:22

Sensible living

Job 28:28 avoidance of evil; Proverbs 11:12 slowness to criticise; Proverbs 12:11 conscientious labour; Proverbs 13:15 winning favour; Proverbs 17:27 showing restraint and an even temper; James 3:13 good deeds and humility

The results of a lack of understanding

Foolish behaviour

Proverbs 6:32 committing adultery; Proverbs 7:7 being easily seduced; Proverbs 17:18 making rash commitments; Proverbs 18:1-2 selfishness and self-importance; Proverbs 24:30-31 idleness leading to ruin; Hosea 4:11 Drunkenness clouds understanding.

Death

Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 21:16; Hosea 4:14