Seek First To Understand

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,

And give attention to know understanding;

As My father taught me, I give you a good principle

so do not forsake it.

“Let your heart retain my teachings;

Keep them and live. Get wisdom! Get understanding!

Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;

Love her, and she will keep you.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.

Exalt her, and she will promote you;

She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

She will place on your head an ornament of grace;

A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

Hear, my son, and receive my instructions,

And the years of your life will be many.

I have taught you in the way of wisdom;

I have led you in right paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,

And when you run, you will not stumble.

Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;

Keep her, for she is your life.[1]

Have you ever prayed for patience? if you have then you know God's way is to instruct you in being patient. Have you ever prayed for wisdom and understanding? Then you know. When we pray such a prayer we should expect more than a gift so easily opened, we should expect discipline. God will discipline (instruct/train/teach/correct) us by transforming us, renewing the mind in His ways "that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."[2] As the father in the above passage is teaching his son to seek wisdom and understanding, so must we. We usually do not seek to understand but to be understood, maybe it is because we are conditioned or instructed to do so.

Picture a boy helping his father. If all the boy is taught is to hand the father tools, then the father does not teach the boy to learn to understand first. If the father does not take time to explain the why, or to tell the boy his plan, then he does not teach to follow instructions but he teaches him to react to what is going on. The boy learns to hand tools to the father reacting to his every need, if he succeeds in handing the right tool then he is smart and a good worker but if he fails disappointment. The father reacts also, as he was taught, he has become, a reactive leader. Have you ever worked for someone who was constantly fighting fires? Then you know. The reactive father measures the child on how well the child reacts to him, how well the child hands him tools, if the boy fails then frustration and if he fails repeatedly then anger. When we react this way we do not seek to understand first. "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."[3]

Have you ever tried to instruct someone that was more interested in giving opinions than understanding and following instructions? Then you know. If one doesn't learn to understand first then more time and energy will be spent in giving opinions or trying to impress with the knowledge of what "tool" is needed. If the father had planned the work ahead of time, he would have sought to understand first. By showing and explaining his plans to the boy, he teaches the boy to understand first. We see this lack of seeking to understand first in new hires, organizations learn to look for those who have teachable spirits. A teachable spirit is a reflection of our relationship with God, the heavenly Father teaches us that following his instructions is important but we often spend more time giving our opinions of what he wants or impressing him of how good we are.

As we grow in Christ, the cornerstone, we are laying new stones, values, which become foundations. We want solid foundations of stone, so that when trials do come, and they will, we will not fall. We are told in the Bible that we can lay values that will keep us from falling.[4] We also build on the Rock so that our character will reflect the Father's. Laying stones is a learning process, in training much grace and instructing is needed, especially since these stones become core values and character. Without the proper cornerstone the foundation is not true. What we consistently do is eventually known, though it sometimes takes a little effort to get to the real values of people. Our personal core values become the values of the organization we work for because they are lived out through us. We do well to not deviate far from these values, nor let others we lead do so. The character of the organization is reflected by the values of the individual, as our personal values are reflected in our character.

"Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."[4] A good steward will seek those that seek to understand first, those that are faithful, available, and teachable. To not do so is the equivalent of trying to passionately get someone to understand, who seeks not to understand, that they are going the wrong way.

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding"

Here's My Heart - Passion Live - Crowder

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