September 27, 2006

Knowledge is Power? Part 1

Is knowledge really power?

Well, it may surprise you, but according to God's Word it really is.

I've been promising to write this post for some weeks now and I have so many other things I want to share with you, but this really is the foundation of all that I need to say…

You'll want to refer to my previous posts of 5th and 12th June… The Rich Get Richer and In All Your Getting, Get Understanding if you haven't already read them. And I want to deepen your understanding of the scritpures surrounding these two posts as God deepened my understanding whilst on holiday this July.

Proverbs 24: 3-4 tells us that

"Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."

I was intrigued by this scripture and then connected it to Proverbs 4:6 "My people are destroyed through lack of knowledge."

But, the lightbulb only really came on when I saw Proverbs 8:14

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy one is understanding."

Well I don't know about you, but this really got me excited and you'll appreciate why when I lay out for you tomorrow what this knowledge does. But for today, I want to explain what it means…

I hear so many people say "I'm a Christian and I know God" and for many people that would satisfy them and make them excited, but not Trish - not in all circumstances anyway - and I've become relatively good at discerning whether they just believe there's a God, or whether they KNOW him. And my response is usually "really?"

Now, if you're a "prude" leave this blog now, cos we gonna talk about intimacy!

You see, I know my husband intimately but I could tell you all I like that I'm intimate with him, but you don't have to believe me and you sure not going to see it, so my only proof for you is our child. And no, we didn't steal her from the hospital, her looks are a dead giveaway!

Our intimacy enables us to KNOW each other on a much deeper level (and for all of you unmarried women out there thinking I'm giving you a licence to sleep with your man, I'm not!! But this is another lesson for another day!)

And, over 17 years of marriage Chris and I understand each other much more than we did when we first met and the bonus is that from our love, a gorgeous little girl was born. And though she's the evidence of our intimacy, she's not the evidence of how well Chris and I understand each other.

But, the truth is knowledge should give rise to understanding or should I say "Knowing" should give rise to understanding. So why do so many relationships fail and why do you seem to apply knowledge but not see consistent blessings in your lives? In essence, why don't you get your prayers answered and prosperity become more than just a mere dream?

Well if my dad's reading this, I bet he can't wait to tell me "I told you so!" Because my siblings and I used to repeat in chorus, behind his back what seemed to be his favourite saying, except of course "where do you think I must get money from" and that was "it's not what you know, it's who you know."

I mimicked my dad because I didn't understand what he meant but I've watched my dad turn from a manual labourer to a self employed sub-contractor doing things from installing central heating, kitchens, bathrooms, decorating and the like (and yes, it's very beneficial having more than a handyman for a daddy and our home is well maintained because of him!)

How did my dad do this? He learnt most of what he knows working and watching people who were more skilled than he was. He hung around the right people who gave him the right knowledge which increased his understanding which then enabled him to go replicate what he'd learnt.

How does all of this relate to Proverbs 8:14…"Knowledge of the Holy one is understanding?"

To put it in a nutshell (as we say in the UK) when you KNOW God, he will teach you what you need to know to get what you want. How will he do it? Through the Holy Spirit, whom he sent to lead you into all truth. In other words, your paths will be directed and God - The All Knowing One - who will ensure you get to know the right people, are in the right place at the right time, so you get the right knowledge to "fill the rooms of your house with with precious and pleasant riches."

And that's not all, because to think God is just about giving us riches would be foolishness on my part. God will ensure we're living abundantly in every area of our lives including our health as well as fulfill our destiny and become "real" ambassadors for Christ. By this I mean become real influencers which will enable us to extend his kingdom.

So now, let me ask you this, "how well do you KNOW God and how much understanding to you have because of KNOWING him?" How much time do you spend getting intimate with him - seeking his face and not just his hand. How much time do you spend not just reading the scriptures - as one on my Pastor's would say, like a newspaper - but studying the Word and applying it to yourself? How much time do you spend just pouring your heart out to God, in other words telling him how you really feel and not just praying what you think he wants to hear?

Ponder these thoughts until tomorrow when I'll be back with part 2.

Blessings,