Proverbs
Nine One Five
#04
Proverbs 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
Help for Those Who Don’t Know
Here we have two people groups who lack knowledge - the simple and the young... but each one for a different reason. They both are inknowledgeable, but hey are not to be confused with scorners, whose pride keeps them form understanding, or fools who cannot apply his knowledge due to a lack of wisdom in their hearts.
The simple lack knowledge because they are uneducated. Usually, one who is referred to as simple has never been taught; whether that is because of a lack of opportunity, or the lack of capacity to receive the information.
The young man is the one who is inexperienced, and therefore has not gained the knowledge that comes by experience.
It is natural that you may not know things, we come into the world as a borderline blank slate. As we grow, we can only know what we have been told or what we have seen for ourselves.
Knowledge is not an ability of the heart that is cultivated and grows there like wisdom or understanding. Knowledge is what you know, it is simply information. That is why God repeatedly discusses a wise or understanding heart in Proverbs but never a knowledgeable heart.
Knowledge is a matter of the mind; it is not an ability but simply what you know. It is not sinful that you lack knowledge, but it is shameful to remain without it when God invites us to come and let Him teach us.
That’s what Proverbs is, an invitation to learn at the feet of God, but will you accept His invitation today?
The offer is to give not only knowledge but also subtilty and discretion.
This is important because, contrary to what we are inclined to believe, knowledge is not always a good thing. Knowledge is information and while it is, generally speaking, a good thing to have more information, there are some things we are better off not knowing. This is why Paul says “I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” In Romans 16:19.
You don’t need to be taught about evil or experience it, that is one place you are better to stay simple. You don’t need to try alcohol to see it is destructive, you also don’t need to know how it feels to be drunk. Just learn what God says is right concerning the subject.
It also matters what we do with information. Hopefully you understand that a man may be highly educated and lack the wisdom to use that information. This is how we get scientists who can see all the evidence of a creator and still declare that all of this came about by chance, from nothing.
By promising to give subtilty and discretion, God is not just promising knowledge but to teach you how to use it, as these both come by mixing knowledge with wisdom and understanding.
Subtilty is an ability to speak, and even carry oneself knowledgeably. Discretion is an ability to understand when or when not to say or do certain things.
Thankfully, we can know that God doesn’t just want you to have knowledge, but the ability to use it properly.
The simple lack knowledge because they are uneducated. Usually, one who is referred to as simple has never been taught; whether that is because of a lack of opportunity, or the lack of capacity to receive the information.
The young man is the one who is inexperienced, and therefore has not gained the knowledge that comes by experience.
It is natural that you may not know things, we come into the world as a borderline blank slate. As we grow, we can only know what we have been told or what we have seen for ourselves.
Knowledge is not an ability of the heart that is cultivated and grows there like wisdom or understanding. Knowledge is what you know, it is simply information. That is why God repeatedly discusses a wise or understanding heart in Proverbs but never a knowledgeable heart.
Knowledge is a matter of the mind; it is not an ability but simply what you know. It is not sinful that you lack knowledge, but it is shameful to remain without it when God invites us to come and let Him teach us.
That’s what Proverbs is, an invitation to learn at the feet of God, but will you accept His invitation today?
The offer is to give not only knowledge but also subtilty and discretion.
This is important because, contrary to what we are inclined to believe, knowledge is not always a good thing. Knowledge is information and while it is, generally speaking, a good thing to have more information, there are some things we are better off not knowing. This is why Paul says “I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” In Romans 16:19.
You don’t need to be taught about evil or experience it, that is one place you are better to stay simple. You don’t need to try alcohol to see it is destructive, you also don’t need to know how it feels to be drunk. Just learn what God says is right concerning the subject.
It also matters what we do with information. Hopefully you understand that a man may be highly educated and lack the wisdom to use that information. This is how we get scientists who can see all the evidence of a creator and still declare that all of this came about by chance, from nothing.
By promising to give subtilty and discretion, God is not just promising knowledge but to teach you how to use it, as these both come by mixing knowledge with wisdom and understanding.
Subtilty is an ability to speak, and even carry oneself knowledgeably. Discretion is an ability to understand when or when not to say or do certain things.
Thankfully, we can know that God doesn’t just want you to have knowledge, but the ability to use it properly.