Over the years I have worked on my emotional intelligence to display a more even demeanor as I interact with others. I have read on the topic and spent time to consciously control my actions.

“²⁷Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. ²⁸Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” – Proverbs 17:27-28 (ESV)

Here I see the introduction of emotional intelligence. This comes way before what is considered its discovery. God’s Word once again proves to be the instruction manual that we should be using to get through this world.

I know that controlling our emotions is not the easiest thing to accomplish. Even with all of the study that I have done and the work that I have put in, I still struggle daily with putting on the right face for others to see. It is important for me to remember where to go for the help needed for control, God’s Word. I am in God’s Word daily and with my time there I have the ability to see and understand what is needed to be in more control.

Here in the verses I was brought to study today, I have found more evidence of the knowledge to get along in this world. Emotional intelligence is there for us all, and even the “fool” can and will demonstrate knowledge and intelligence with the control of emotions.

How is it that you react in those emotional moments? Are you looking to God’s Word for guidance? What if you searched and controlled your emotions, would you demonstrate knowledge and intelligence?

I have been studying the word “knowledge” for a few weeks now and have been drawn to the idea that knowledge is in the head. Whereas that is true and we use our brains to demonstrate knowledge in the eyes of those around us, it is in the heart that knowledge is really manifest.

“¹⁴The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. ⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. ²⁸The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” – Proverbs 15:14, 7, & 28 (ESV)

Yes, these verses seem to be out of order in the scheme of things, but really look at how I have captured them. First there is the heart seeking knowledge, then I see that the heart of fools does not work in knowledge, and finally that heart with knowledge, chooses carefully the words to speak to others. With this approach, it seems to me to be more in the right order for my understanding. And as noted in verse 14, my understanding of heart seeks knowledge.

I am not smarter than you, I only seek to understand and that gives me a bit more depth of insight and knowledge. I hope that my words drive you to the Word of God so that you are able to dive in and gain more depth of understanding.

When you are looking at learning, are you looking at your heart for understanding? Are you seeking to know with your heart and not just your head? What if you were to have the heart of understanding and knowledge and not just the head for it?

We live in a world where information is at our fingertips, and frankly I believe that information availability has contributed to a lack of real knowledge in the world.

I am, as I have mentioned many times, a proponent of gaining true knowledge and that comes from the study of and depth of understanding related to what it is you are looking at. Just taking the first bit of information as that which is correct is irresponsible. Aarron, my youngest son is currently taking a statistics class and is learning how something can be manipulated to tell the story wanted. With information, the ability to include and exclude information allows the story you want to be told so as to demonstrate your “intelligence” with regard to the subject. The problem is that your “intelligence” is based on limited or select information.

“¹⁶In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.” – Proverbs 13:16 (ESV)

Knowledge is based on depth of understanding and not simply on the information you have at your fingertips. Anyone can look up data that will tell the story they are wanting to see. It takes a true man/woman of understanding to put their own biases aside and look for the truth. The idea that one person is right and another is wrong is likely way too far from the truth. The reality is that both are correct based on the information they have. Where the real truth is revealed is when the two get together, share their information with one another and dissect that information to find the real truth, which is likely somewhere in the middle of all of the information.

I have been in education for some time now and in that time have not been afraid of learning and understanding the full story. During my time I have asked for and accepted other perspectives and on a number of occasions have pressed to get something changed based on new information that was gathered and learned. It is important to put my own biases aside to learn the truth and get to the root of the information so as to be well informed with true knowledge in everything.

What information have you accepted blindly as being correct? Are you willing to look at other information that may challenge what you know? What if you were to look at everything with a curiosity to gain real knowledge?

“¹Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” – Proverbs 12:1 (ESV)

I studied the word “discipline” back in 2019 and in that time was reminded that discipline is not really punishment that we seem to attribute it to. It is more about dedication and stick-to-itiveness than being “punished”. It is the self accountability to learn and grow.

This morning I got back to my bible study. The reason for my 2 week hiatus is not the focus here, but the fact that I am back to the learning and growing through discipline is. I want to learn from God and for that I will be rewarded with the knowledge He has for me. I cannot and will not expect more than He has for me, but I have to remain disciplined to gain from Him what it is He has for me.

Sticking with it is where we get the bulk of our knowledge. We cannot expect to read something and know all about it. It will take time to experience the information to truly gain in the knowledge category. It is that experience and the self accountability to dig in and know that makes all the difference.

What does it look like in your gaining of knowledge? Are you dedicated to digging in or just with capturing the information? What if you were to really focus on your discipline to gain knowledge?

Knowledge starts with God as I have written about. That knowledge starts as something that is much more simple than just implanting of it in the heart and mind.

“⁸The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.” – Proverbs 10:8 (ESV)

There is a beginning where information or commandment is presented and then it is my duty to receive it. At the time, the information or commandment is presented, I may not know where it will apply or if it is even for the now. God provides what we need, when we need it, and that is why it is important for me to receive it and store it away for use when needed.

“¹⁴The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool brings ruin near.” – Proverbs 10:14 (ESV)

Thanks to God for providing that which I need and giving me the wisdom to know where to store it for future use. I know that I may not always be able to recall that which I received, however, I have it and upon later reflection will realize that knowledge was there all along.

It is my job to receive and then store away all of the information and study it to understand. As I more deeply understand, I will be more able to recall and use the knowledge given.

When you receive information, what are you doing with it? Are you using it now and forgetting about it later? What if you were to store it up and study it to understand so that you could more easily recall when needed?

“⁷The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

It is pretty clear here in Proverbs where knowledge starts. I have studied wisdom, fear, and beginning and during those studies was brought to this verse. “Fear of the LORD” is our reverence and commitment to Him. Having reverence and commitment to the Lord is the place to start in our knowledge quest. I am not able to proceed and gain the knowledge that I am looking for without first fearing the LORD.

In the commentary from my ESV Bible this is what is written relating to knowledge and wisdom: “’knowledge’ tends to focus on correct understanding of the world and oneself as creatures of the magnificent and loving God, while ‘wisdom’ is the acquired skill of applying that knowledge rightly,”. So they are related to one another and not one and the same thing, but later in the commentary for the same verse 7 I find the beginning or start of knowledge and wisdom attainment: “submission to the Lord is foundational to the attainment of real understanding.”

I continue to strive to gain knowledge and wisdom each day and as such work to remember where to start, well Trevor, it start with the “fear of the LORD”.

Where are you looking to find knowledge? Are you finding real understanding? What if you started with having that reverence for God and the “fear of the LORD” as you begin your search?

Even Solomon asked for wisdom from God and where he received it, that did not give him any more knowledge than God. I have knowledge of some things and for that I am grateful. God is way smarter than I am. He knows things even before I can even think them.

“¹O LORD, you have searched me and known me! ²You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. ³You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. ⁵You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. ⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” – Psalm 139 1-6 (ESV)

What a great passage to remind me of the awesome knowledge that The LORD possesses. He knows everything about me even before I can even think about them.

I work hard to prepare for things and work through contingencies. In fact, even my contingency plans have contingency plans. But God, well He does not have contingency plans. He just has plans and those are carried out daily with me. He know what we will choose and where we are headed at all times. The best part is that He allows us to choose that path and does not dictate our actions.

I know that you may be thinking, if He knows, then why does He not stop us from making decisions that are contrary to His plans for us. Well that is where free will that He grants to us comes in. He allows us to freely choose our own actions, and then we carry them out and when needed, He is there to help us deal with the consequences of that free will choice, Much like Lori and I do with our sons. They have the freedom to make the choices they make and then we are there to help them work through the consequences of their choices.

God indeed knows before we even begin, and I can see Him there in heaven cringing at the choice as He knows it will not end well. But, as the great Father He is, He allows our choice and works help us deal with it once we have realized the error in judgment we made.

God’s knowledge is so deep and wide that I cannot fathom a way for me to attain it. He knows so much about me that I have not thought nor will I ever think about. I can give it the “old college try” to attain that level of knowledge, but I will never be able to know what God knows. My choices will always be just that, my choices. God knows the value of those choices and whether or not they will lead to more work or not, but He allows my choices through His wisdom and knowledge, which are at a level I will never reach in this world.

When you are making decisions, did you know that God already knows your choice? Are you seeking knowledge of everything? What if you were to just accept that there are things that you will never know and that you cannot attain God’s level of knowledge?

I know that my reward is in heaven and that whatever happens here in this world is not indicative of the glory I will receive. I will be faced with adversity and persecution here and yet when I go to meet Jesus I will be greeted with loving open arms and celebrated for the work I have done for God here in this world. But, it is really hard to get past the wealth and great earthly experiences of those here in this world that defy God and live wicked lives.

In my study of the word “knowledge” this morning, I was led to Psalm 73 where I was reminded that the wicked ignore, openly, and actively defy God. And, as in verse 11, they question and mock Him.

“¹¹And they say, ‘How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?’ ¹²Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.” – Psalm 73:11-12 (ESV)

In the next verse (12) it is made know the thoughts and feelings of the wicked. They seem to profit from the rebuke and defiance of God on High. While we, His children seem to struggle daily to just get by. In fact in verses 13-16 it is made mention of that very thought. And then we find the answer in verse 17.

“¹⁷until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” – Psalm 73:17 (ESV)

I is as we commune with God that we realize the reward we have in doing His work and the demise of those that hold onto the rewards of this world. When the worldly lives of the wicked end, their riches are no longer good to them as they move into an eternal suffering for their actions in this world. We however are granted forever glory for the suffering in this world.

God does know and His knowledge is manifest in the end. We all realize our just rewards when our lives end in this world. The wicked get theirs in the form of eternal suffering. For the righteous, in the form of eternal glory. So, there may be questions as to the knowledge of God today, but know that it will be displayed in the end.

As you live your life today, are you rebuking God and profiting from wicked deeds? Are you suffering as you do the work of God daily? What if you were to just show up and do the work of God in spite of the impact today and know that His knowledge will be displayed in the end?

“¹The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. ²Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” – Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV)

As God led me to this passage, I know there is something to learn from it. I may not have it just right, and frankly I struggled a bit with what I should get here until I read a number of commentaries in my study.

Each day is the precursor to the next and the follower of the previous. And as the succession of days commences so does the knowledge from God, as you see in this commentary from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible for verse 2.

“Each day has its own lesson in regard to the wisdom, the power, and the goodness of God, and that lesson is conveyed from one day to another. There is a perpetual testimony thus given to the wisdom and power of the Great Creator.”

For me I get that I should be learning daily of the lessons God has for me. Not only for today, but yesterday, and tomorrow. God is teaching at all times and his knowledge is give in day and night. In the day He gives us the vocal lessons and in the night the lessons in perseverance. You see in the day we have the light to see and progress and in the night we learn what it is like to be in the dark. And in the dark we have to rely on our eyes to see the glory of God and His knowledge is displayed in the heavens with the beauty that He created. As you see here in the commentary from my NIV Bible;

“To say that the universe happened by chance is absurd. It design, intricacy, and orderliness point to a personally involved Creator.”

So, day by day and night by night I have the opportunity to witness and learn from the knowledge of God. Whether spoke or seen, I am growing when I am devoted to the continuous growth I find in Him.

Where are you finding your knowledge? Are you looking to the world to find what you are looking for daily? What if you turned to God day by day night by night for the knowledge He has for you?

When I learn something, I usually take plenty of time to understand it. But even with my understanding, how much do I really know.

“¹Then the LORD, answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘²Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ³Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’” – Job 38:1-3 (ESV)

Job was a learned man and had great knowledge. There was plenty that he did not know however, and here the LORD begins to let him know as much. You see even though we may have good knowledge of things, there are still things that we do not know that are hidden from us. In the passage that follows these three verses, God asks questions of Job to demonstrate just how much he did not know.

Just the other week my son was asking a question about something that I did not know and I thought for a moment and admitted that I was not sure of the answer and that we would have to use our resources to discover the answer. By contrast I had overheard a parent who was asked a question by their young child and the answer they gave was clearly incorrect based on what I knew, however they either thought they were correct or did not want to let on they did not know.

It is important for us to admit when we are out of the know with things. As an adult educator, I remind people all the time that even the smartest people do not know everything, but they know where the answers are found and that is what gives them knowledge.

We may not know everything, and frankly will not know everything, but, we can seek that knowledge from God and His word. It is important for us to speak with knowledge, and if there are things we do not know, it is our duty to find out so that we are speaking the truth with a more full understanding. But, we also must know that there are things that are hidden that we may not know until we are in the presence of God in heaven.

When you are out there, what things do you feel like you know that has some things hidden from you? Are you able to admit that you may not know everything? What if instead of giving a potentially misleading or incorrect response, you were to find answers and still admit there is clearly more to learn?