Theme: understanding scripture have to happen first then we can apply the scripture we can’t apply what we don’t understand it’s vital for all of us to allow the Holy Spirit to give us understanding.
Synopsis of my not understanding scripture testimony.
I sat in meetings for years, i did not start to understand scripture until 1998 the Lord allow me to talk to people daily that don’t understand scripture that’s a dangerous place for anyone soul to be. If people don’t understand scripture those people can’t apply the scripture to become the type of Christ from the application of the biblical information.
Wisdom is the Elohim -given ability to perceive, judge, and act according to His perspective, applying divine truth to daily life. It is distinct from mere knowledge, acting as the practical skill of living righteously, fearing the Lord, and fulfilling His will, often described as a gift from God, rather than a purely intellectual achievement.
2451. chokmah
Lexical Summary
chokmah: wisdom, skill, wisely
Original Word: חָכְמָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: chokmah
Pronunciation: khok-MAH
Phonetic Spelling: (khok-maw')
KJV: skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit
NASB: wisdom, skill, wisely, wits'
Word Origin: [from H2449 (חָכַם - wise)]
1. wisdom (in a good sense)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit
From chakam; wisdom (in a good sense) -- skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
see HEBREW chakam
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from chakam
Definition
wisdom
NASB Translation
skill (5), skill* (1), wisdom (143), wisely (3), wits' (1).
3563. nous
Lexical Summary
nous: Mind, understanding, intellect
Original Word: νοῦς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: nous
Pronunciation: nooce
Phonetic Spelling: (nooce)
KJV: mind, understanding
NASB: mind, composure, comprehension, minds, understanding
Word Origin: [probably from the base of G1097 (γινώσκω - know)]
1. the intellect, i.e. the mind
2. (by implication) meaning
{divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will}
Understanding is the divinely granted capacity to discern, judge rightly, and extract meaning from facts to align with God's will. It goes beyond intellectual knowledge (data) to apply divine wisdom to life's details. It is often described as “in-between” thinking—separating truth from error.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
mind, understanding.
Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning -- mind, understanding.
Proverbs 4:7-8
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
Divine story time.
Proverbs 4:7-8 highlights wisdom as the supreme, foundational goal in life—the "principal thing"—urging its pursuit above wealth or status, as it leads to honor, protection, and a purposeful life. Within the context of Solomon teaching his sons, it serves as a passionate plea to cherish understanding to gain divine insight.
As someone who has spent considerable time growing in their spiritual journey, I can personally attest to the transformative power of truly understanding scripture before trying to apply it in daily life. Early on, I struggled with reading biblical passages but not fully grasping their deeper meaning, which often left me unable to effectively integrate those teachings into my actions and decisions. The article highlights important Hebrew and Greek terms such as "chokmah" (wisdom) and "nous" (understanding), which reveal that biblical wisdom is not just intellectual knowledge but a God-given skill enabling us to live righteously and align our choices with divine will. This distinction was eye-opening for me—I realized that accumulating facts about scripture is not the same as having divine insight that guides prudent judgment. One personal experience that illustrates this came when I encountered complex passages in Proverbs, including 4:7-8, which emphasizes that "getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do." Initially, I read these words superficially, but as I prayed and sought the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I began to understand wisdom’s active role in shaping character and protecting one’s path. This understanding transformed my approach from merely trying to follow rules to embracing an intimate relationship with God’s guidance. Furthermore, engaging with others who struggled to understand scripture underscored how crucial this spiritual discernment is. Without it, biblical teachings remain inaccessible and ineffective. It reminded me that wisdom involves more than studying texts—it requires a heart open to divine revelation and a willingness to apply insights to everyday challenges. Ultimately, this journey has taught me that seeking wisdom is indeed the "principal thing" in life. It’s a continuous process that deepens our faith and equips us to live purposefully amid complex situations. For anyone seeking to grow spiritually, I encourage cultivating this divine understanding through prayer, study, and community dialogue, allowing scripture to come alive beyond words and transform our practice of faith.