DO YOU UNDERSTAND THIS?

Matthew 13:51
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Dear Believer,

Jesus just finished telling a parable to His disciples. He didn’t just walk away assuming they got everything all figured out. He looked directly at them and asked, “Did you understand all these things I said?”
And they answered him, “Yes Lord.”

This tells us something very important about the Word of God. God does not just tell us things so that we could fill our head with spiritual terms and beautiful expressions. He sends His word so that we may understand it.

I loved to read as a little boy. I can still remember reading books that were totally unrelated to the subjects I was taught at school. When I was in elementary school, I read books about astronomy. By the time I was 12, I had read every known work of Shakespeare just because I had access to them. I filled my head with words, stories, anecdotes, and all kinds of theories.

You know what? I had no idea of the meaning of much of what I was reading. Those who wrote the books did not write them for children.

That is just the way it is with the Word of God and whatever God speaks to you. God’s Word isn’t designed to be deposited in the brain and processed merely with the carnal mind. You must seek to understand by God’s Spirit. If you do not seek to understand, you’ll assume you know what the Word of God is saying when you actually have no clue.

Just how important is understanding?

First, understanding is a mark of maturity. Paul tell us:

1Corinthians 14:20 KJV
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

After saying some very important things to Timothy, Paul tells him:

2Timothy 2:7 KJV
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
This is because without understanding, everything said to Timothy, no matter how valuable, would be a waste.

A high government official was reading the scripture on the way to his country when Philip the Evangelist met him. This man was very devout. As he read, the evangelist moved near his luxury chariot and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30). He was highly educated, yet he said he had no clue about what he was reading.

One of the problems we have today among Believers is of people who are teaching what they know little or nothing about. Paul’s says these are teachers “understanding neither what they say, nor where of they affirm.” (1Timothy 1:7).

The unsaved are said to have their understanding ‘darkened.’ (Ephesians 4:18). Paul prayed for Believers that their understanding might be ‘enlightened.’ (Ephesians 1:18).

That’s to tell you that there are people walking around with darkened understanding. If the apostle could pray that Believers’ understanding be enlightened, then you have to pray for yourself in that same way so that you may not walk in darkness.

You must understand things. You must be able to know the flow of events and how things will end or continue so that you can prepare and avoid undesirable situations.

More importantly, you must understand what the Lord is saying to you. Lack of understanding or misunderstanding God’s Word or guidance can be dangerous.

Make it a duty to ask for divine understanding concerning everything, especially those things are very important to your life. And whenever you study the Word of God, ask the Holy Spirit to let you understand whatever He is showing or telling you.

Let your eyes of understanding be enlightened in the name of Jesus.

Have a great day.

Your friend,
Deon.

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