Comprehension and Understanding (Communicating Effectively)

by Walt Scott, October 1, 2012

Comprehension: Webster's dictionary definition: “The capacity for understanding. Grasping the meaning of; mentally.”

Understanding: Webster's dictionary definition: “Discernment, insight. The power of comprehending. To understand is to achieve a grasp of the nature, significance, or explanation of something.”

Hebrews 11:3

³ By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. ¹⁴ The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶ for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
    so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

Psalm 14:2

² The Lord looks down from heaven
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
    any who seek God.

There is a great deal of misunderstanding and/or misinterpretation of Christianity in the secular world, and to some extent, in the Christian church. Many times the verses in the Bible are taken out of context and used solely to justify a particular point or thought; whereas the entire portion of the book or chapter should be read and considered for a clearer definition. When God’s word is misinterpreted or misunderstood, we may pass along wrong meaning to other people depending on us for correct interpretation. This is because the Holy Spirit has not imparted true understanding to us, or we are not listening or asking for comprehension. Perhaps we are ignoring God, the Holy Spirit, and leaning on our own ability to understand. Unfortunately there are times when we send a mixed message about Christianity and Christians when we are supposed to be spreading the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes our lifestyles and actions don’t reflect what comes out of our mouths.

Luke 6:45

⁴⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

They portray one personality in the company of Christians, and another around non-Christians. At times, some Christians are far too forceful in delivering their message, and perhaps try to persuade with fear of going to hell. This turns many potential believers away. This is never the correct approach. We must always show the love of God. At other times, well-intentioned, we approach with timidity, caution and apprehension, afraid of rejection. This shows lack of confidence in ourselves, the Gospel, and weak faith. Faithful, believing Christians should always be secure, confident, and unafraid to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We do this through prayer and relying on God to lead us through His Holy Spirit. Others should always desire and feel inspired to pursue what makes us so full of joy and love. In any case or situation, it is God’s intent for us to speak truth and show love for our brothers and sisters. We should always request understanding from God before deciding to speak or act. Be the reality of the Good News, not the misunderstanding.

There are times when we feel we have read and understood scripture or take for granted that a person in authority has an accurate interpretation, when in reality understanding has not yet been achieved. How do we know the difference? We have to read scripture slowly, and ask for discernment from the Holy Spirit, and speak with other mature Christians. Sometimes this happens at the pace we are reading, and sometimes we may have to re-visit a passage for weeks or months. Wait upon the Lord. When we are ready to receive (comprehend), He will deliver.

Jeremiah 17:9-10

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

¹⁰ “I the Lord search the heart
    and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
    according to what their deeds deserve.”

1 John 5:18-20

¹⁸ We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. ¹⁹ We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. ²⁰ We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Ecclesiastes 7:24-25

²⁴ Whatever Wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound—
    who can discover it?
²⁵ So I turned my mind to understand,
    to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things
and to understand the stupidity of wickedness
    and the madness of folly.

1 Timothy 6:3-5

³ If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to Godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

Romans 1:20

²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Proverbs 2:1-6

¹My son, if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
² turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding,
³ and if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,
⁴ and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,
⁵ then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom,
    and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 18:2

² A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
    but delights in airing his own opinions.

Is it God’s intention that we understand His word? I believe it is. I think He will reveal Himself more and more as we are able to receive though our understanding. The Holy Spirit will give us discernment and comprehension as we study His word and make our request known.

Jeremiah 10:12

¹² But God made the earth by his power;
    he founded the world by his wisdom
    and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

Job 38:18

(God speaking)

¹⁸ Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
    Tell me, if you know all this.

Ecclesiastes 8:17

¹⁷ then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.

Isaiah 40:28

²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.

We can never expect to have the full understanding of things that God has. We cannot comprehend the entire universe that God created; at least not in our earthly lifetime, or at this point in human evolution. I don’t think our physical minds could fathom the universe because our current level of knowledge is very limited. God will give us understanding as we acquire the ability to comprehend.

2 Peter 1:20-21

²⁰ Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. ²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 23:23

²³ Buy the truth and do not sell it;
    get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

To obtain comprehension and understanding requires prayer, Bible study, trust, obedience, patience, perseverance and self-discipline. This, in turn, will result in us receiving wisdom through the Holy Spirit. God will reward effort with success. These actions and speech will reflect truth in our daily Christian walk. This makes communicating effectively not only possible, but absolutely achievable for all Christians.

Proverbs 4:7

⁷ Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Job 28:12-13

(Job speaking)

¹² “But where can wisdom be found?
    Where does understanding dwell?
¹³ Man does not comprehend its worth;
    it cannot be found in the land of the living.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

²³ This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
    or the strong man boast of his strength
    or the rich man boast of his riches,²⁴ but let him who boasts boast about this:
    that he understands and knows me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
    justice and righteousness on earth,
    for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.

Further scriptural references

I Chronicles 28:9	Proverbs 15:32
Job 28:28	Proverbs 17:27
Job 32:8	Proverbs 20:5
Psalms 73:16	Hosea 14:9
Psalms 111:10	Matthew 13:11-23
Psalms 119:124-125	Mark 4:11&12
Psalms 147:5	John 1:1-5
Proverbs 3:5&13	Ephesians 5:15-20
Proverbs 10:23	Colossians 2:2&3