
KNOWLEDGE
"So devote yourselves to lavishly supplementing your faith with goodness,
and to goodness add understanding," (understanding: knowledge) 2 Peter 1:5 (TPT)
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We live in an age overflowing with information, yet many still hunger for true
understanding. Headlines shift, opinions clash, and knowledge of the truth often
feel like a moving target. But what if there is a kind of knowledge that doesn’t just inform—but transform? That does not just answer questions—but awakens the soul?
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Scripture invites us into that kind of pursuit. In 2 Peter 1, we are called to
climb—to supplement our faith with goodness, and to goodness, add knowledge. This is not intellectual accumulation, but spiritual formation, rooted in the Scriptures—the Word of God. It is the kind of knowledge that enables us to know and do the will of God, drawing us closer to Him and shaping us into the likeness of Christ. Proverbs 23:12 exhorts us: “Commit yourselves to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.”
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We search high and low for answers—through education, experience, and endless opinions. But Scripture reminds us that the source of true knowledge and understanding is not found in books or brilliance alone—it comes from God. In fact, He is not just a source; He is the original source. Proverbs 2:6 makes it plain: “From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Every insight worth having begins with Him.
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This is a crucial distinction in our pursuit of knowledge. The world offers information—data, theories, philosophies—but only God offers knowledge that leads to life. Academic achievement may sharpen the mind, but it cannot transform the heart. True knowledge is not measured by degrees or credentials—it is revealed by the Spirit of God to those who fear Him. That is why Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Reverence for God is not just the starting point—it is the foundation. Without it, all other knowledge is incomplete.
God’s imparted knowledge is timeless, trustworthy, and transformative. It does not shift with culture or crumble under scrutiny. It speaks with clarity to every generation, offering guidance for both the soul and the mind. When we seek His knowledge through the lens of reverence, we are not just gathering facts—we are receiving truth that shapes us into Christ’s likeness.
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The book of Proverbs speaks most directly about this journey. Written mostly by King Solomon, the world’s wisest man, Proverbs is not a dusty collection of sayings—it is a timeless voice of knowledge leading to wisdom, still speaking with clarity and relevance to the questions we face today. Its purpose is clear: to teach knowledge and discipline, to help us live wisely, guiding us in what is right, just, and fair. Proverbs 1:7 lays it out plainly: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
This fear is not dread—it is awe. It is reverence. It is the recognition that God is holy, sovereign, and worthy of our deepest respect. To truly know anything, we must first know Him. He is the source, the sustainer, and the revealer of all truth. And when we listen—when we learn—we begin to see life as He sees it.
Whether you are a lifelong believer or a curious seeker, this virtue of knowledge is for you. It is not reserved for scholars or saints—it is offered to all who are willing to search diligently. Proverbs paints wisdom, the fruit of knowledge, as a woman calling out in the streets, inviting anyone who will hear. She is not hiding, she is waiting. Proverbs 8 expands this picture powerfully: wisdom’s voice is public, clear, and urgent, offering truth more precious than silver or gold. She speaks righteousness, never crookedness, and declares that she was present
with God at creation, rejoicing in His works. To embrace wisdom is to find life and favor; to reject her is to harm oneself. This is no casual invitation, it is the call of eternity, urging us to treasure divine knowledge above all else.
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But the key to unlocking it is the fear of the Lord—a moral mindset of reverence and awe for God that opens the door to divine understanding. When we pursue wisdom this way, we are not just gaining insight—we are drawing closer to the heart of God.
The Book of Ecclesiastes also speaks powerfully to this pursuit. Through these words of King Solomon, we see a man who searched everywhere for meaning—through pleasure, wealth, work, and even wisdom itself. Yet he found that all these pursuits, on their own, were meaningless. His conclusion is striking: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Solomon reminds us that God has “set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)—a longing that cannot be satisfied by temporary things. We were created as spiritual beings, and the further we drift from a daily walk with Christ, the more we lose sight of lasting purpose. True wisdom is not found in chasing the wind—it is found in relationship with God. Solomon urges us to enjoy the simple, good gifts God provides in the present, but to do so with reverence, knowing that ultimate meaning is found in Him.
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Final Reflection
The pursuit of knowledge in God’s kingdom is not about mastering facts—it is about being mastered by truth. When we seek wisdom as hidden treasure, God grants understanding that safeguards our steps and fills our hearts with joy.
In reverence, we gain not just intellect but discernment. And in that growth, we find peace, protection, and purpose.
This knowledge is essential for discernment, purposeful in shaping a life that pleases God, and always intertwined with wisdom, which teaches us how to apply what we know.
So let us be seekers—not of worldly brilliance, but of divine understanding. Because when we pursue wisdom with awe for the Lord, we are not just learning—we are becoming. We are being shaped into the image of Christ, guided by the voice of God, and anchored in truth that never fades—one virtue at a time, one step closer to the fullness of Christlikeness.