“...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him...”
Ephesians 1:17
It is time for us to improve the circumstances and outcomes in our lives. However, oftentimes we are trying to respond to people, circumstances, and challenges without understanding God’s purpose, plan, or will. As flawed human beings, we have a fleshly predisposition to approaching life based upon our ideas, feelings, preferences, and needs. Furthermore, sometimes we are blind to the damage we have done, and even when we recognize the harm we have inflicted, we allow pride to reason away the impact of our actions. We have a tendency to aggravate a bad situation and make it worse. However, the Apostle Paul provides a solution to counter this natural tendency. Ephesians 1:17–21 reads:
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
As we consider Paul’s prayer, we are reminded that spiritual growth does not happen by instinct or accident; it unfolds through intentional pursuit. One theologian said, “The Christian life is not merely learned; it is revealed.” Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge come not from human cleverness but from divine illumination.
On first read, this prayer of Paul seems to suggest that the context of his petition to God is for God to help believers learn more about Jesus Christ. And yes, he does desire this. However, as one studies Paul’s life, ministry, and gospel, it becomes glaringly obvious that he consistently values the practicality of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. With this in mind, a close reading of this prayer reveals biblical truths for daily living that transcend a mindless, purposeless, and selfish life or existence. Paul’s prayer embeds three biblical or spiritual traits that may potentially transform every day of our lives from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from the natural to the supernatural: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.
WISDOM
Paul prays that God gives unto us the spirit of wisdom. Wisdom refers to insight into the true nature of things. However, wisdom is coupled with prudence, which is the practical application of this wisdom leading to the right course of action. In other words, Paul conveys that through prayer God wants to give us practical insight into who Jesus Christ is in our lives. This insight translates into daily practices that result in us making the right decisions.
As we learn about Jesus Christ and renew our minds with His truth, our actions become consistent with His character and ways. We become more inclined to make the decision He wants us to make, thereby obtaining the outcomes He desires for our lives. While we may not become perfect at this practice of walking in God’s wisdom, we should develop a habit or tendency toward making decisions that align with who Jesus Christ is and what He wants for our lives. The fruit of our decisions becomes evident in the improved outcomes of our lives.
For example, God may speak to our heart to help us recognize that we seem to always be focused on ourselves and not giving to others. As we spend time in prayer, God may give wisdom or insight that we have a problem with selfishness and self-centeredness. Now that we have wisdom or insight about our challenge, it is time to get an understanding. A simple prayer for wisdom can often be the beginning of profound transformation.
UNDERSTANDING
Paul prays that our understanding would be enlightened. We should note that understanding follows wisdom. As we receive God’s wisdom and insight, we begin to comprehend the will, purpose, and plan of God. Understanding is a prerequisite to applying what we know. It is virtually impossible to apply knowledge that one does not understand. As we understand God’s Word, nature, character, and expectations, we are better positioned to apply them to all the challenges and circumstances of our lives.
Continuing with our example of selfishness, if and when God gives us the insight that we are selfish, then it is time to understand what selfishness is, what it looks like, and the root cause of our selfishness. When this understanding happens, we are more likely to know what to do to correct it. Clearly, we will have no excuse to leave it unchanged. However, once our understanding has a moment of clarity, then we are ready for the knowledge needed to change. Understanding turns conviction into clarity and clarity into direction.
KNOWLEDGE
Paul prays that we would know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glory, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us. God wants us to know what He calls us to be. This speaks to our decisions, actions, character, and lifestyle. God wants us to know that we have an immeasurable inheritance in His glory. God wants us to know that we may experience His exceeding great power. To know something is to be aware through observation, inquiry, or information. To know also implies having a relationship and spending time with.
We begin to study God’s Word to know God. We examine the life of Jesus Christ to know Him. We participate in discipleship to know one another. We study our actions to become acquainted with ourselves. We begin to compare our actions with what we know about God and Jesus Christ. We begin to become acquainted with what God calls us to be and do, what God has given to us through His Spirit, and what power we have access to through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Expanding upon our challenge with selfishness, we begin to study in God’s Word to know how He calls us to love as He loves. We begin to know that the essence of love is the giving of oneself, even as Jesus Christ gave of Himself. We take this knowledge and apply it to our lives, and through the act of applying the knowledge of God’s Word, we begin to be different; we begin to be changed. As we obey God’s Word, our actions become more and more selfless, and simultaneously we begin to consistently experience a higher quality of life filled with hope, glory, and power.
While we use the example of selfishness, we can pick any area of life, challenge, shortcoming, or sin. Begin in prayer asking for God’s wisdom and prudence. As we seek God in faith, God will provide practical insight. As He gives insight, we will embark upon moments of understanding or clarity. As we become clear about the challenge, its source, our actions, and their effect, then we are ready to take the knowledge of God’s Word and obey it, thereby releasing in our life His hope, His glory, and His power.
Now, with this prayer for wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, how can our life not change for the better? We must remember that what the mind understands, the heart can embrace, and the will can obey.
PRAYER
Father, today I pray for Your wisdom in the area of ___________. Please give me insight into this area of my life. I bring to You my reasons, my responsibilities, and my roles that may contribute to this situation. I pray for an understanding as You give me insight. I ask that You provide clarity as to why this area of challenge exists in my life and what I must do to change it. I ask that You give me the knowledge of Your Word that I need, along with the will, capacity, and obedience to change. I thank You for experiencing Your hope, Your glory, and Your power.
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
Ask yourself three questions before making any major decision today:
- What wisdom is God giving me about this?
- What understanding do I need to see this clearly?
- What knowledge from God’s Word informs my next step?
Let your answers shape your actions.
Published on Jan 18 @ 12:20 AM EDT
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