[Printable version]
[Also published in Nuggets for the Needy]
Omega Message – December 1981
Mavis M. duCille
Some weeks ago I had a dream. There was a meeting in a very large hall. I could not see the preacher but the message was on the absolute and urgent necessity of sanctification, dealing specifically with the cleansing of the inner man: The way we feel and deal with people and matters, at home, husbands to wives, children to parents, parents to children etc. Honor and respect for our elders, not just elders ordained of God for care of the church, but older people; Our downright honesty before God, his people and the world at large.
We are living in a time of total disrespect and disregard for honest decent living, but God’s people are called upon to redeem the time with love and purity – Virtue – Be of sound mind.
“The loss of gold is much, the loss of time is more, but the loss of character is such a loss that no man can restore.”
As I came out of this dream or vision, I heard the words spoken so clearly, “See that you are not caught in the alley of fools.”
I totally forgot the experience until I sat in a meeting in Dallas about two weeks later, while a brother read from 2 Peter 3:16. As he read the word ‘understood’ I was enlightened. I saw the parable of the sower. Understanding where God is concerned is not mere comprehension, but Spiritual Enlightenment.
I can say then I received ‘understanding’ or spiritual enlightenment – right then and I understood Matthew 13. The sower went to sow and as he scattered his seeds they fell on different soils, which really represent the hearts of men. The difference therefore, between the different groups of people is UNDERSTANDING.
I started looking on the word ‘understand’ and discovered that it was a vital ingredient in all spiritual operations of God. Let us look at some examples from scripture:
I Chronicles 12:32 “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.”
Job 28:28 “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
Proverbs 3:19 “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.”
Proverbs 4:5 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:6 “Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 16:22 “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.”
Jeremiah 3:15 “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
I Corinthians 14:19 “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”
14:20 “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”
I John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”
In Matthew Chapter thirteen, the separation between the good soil and the stony, or any of the others, was “understanding”.
Matthew 13:19 “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.”
Let us list the main points in this parable:
(1) The wicked one taking away the seed, or word planted because of much worldliness.
(2) Tribulation and persecution because of the word, cause offence, which is the result of the word not having been allowed to take root in the heart.
(3) Cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, money, money, money – choke the word of God’s dealing with the individual, resulting in fruitlessness.
BUT in verse 23 they brought forth fruit 30, 60, 100 fold – HEARING and UNDERSTANDING, PRODUCED.
Let us look for a minute at Daniel 11:32-33:
Daniel 11:32 “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits .
11:33 “And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.”
ALSO
Daniel 12:10 “Many shall be purified, and made white and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand;”
There are a few words here that stand out – KNOW – not just a mere knowledge of God that he is good and exists somewhere, but rather have such a relation with God through Jesus Christ who through His divine power has given us ALL things that pertain to life and Godliness because we are called to glory and virtue. As we escape the corruption, which is in the world through lust, we become partakers of the divine nature. We are being born of God.
Understanding: Enlightened of God – They that are enlightened of God will instruct many in the time of the end.
Wise: This seems to be linked with understanding.
Wicked: This linked with the foolish and those without understanding.
Purified: Cleansed of worldliness, and all things that are contrary to righteousness, that there be no place found in us for the devil and evil.
Revelation 12:7 “Michael and his angels fought the dragon and there was no place found for him in heaven for he was cast out.”
Now we look at Matthew 25 and see the parable of the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish. It would seem as if WISE, UNDERSTANDING, and KNOWLEDGE, have a peculiar link. In verse 12 the bride groom says, “I know you not” – You have not allowed me to permeate your being that you could be rid of the carnal nature and be transformed by the divine nature.
May the Lord help us that in all our getting we might get understanding and be not caught in the alley of the foolish.
Sonlight Devotional 