EARNESTLY DESIRE THE PRINCIPAL THING 

EARNESTLY DESIRE THE PRINCIPAL THING – [WISDOM] – IN YOUR PASSION: THAT’S THE PATH TO GRACIOUSNESS AND GRACEFULNESS! 

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be SAVED. 2 For I bear them RECORD that they have a ZEAL of God, but not ACCORDING to KNOWLEDGE. 3 For they being IGNORANT of God’s righteousness, and going about to ESTABLISH their OWN righteousness, have NOT SUBMITTED themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” Romans 10:1-4. 

To have ZEAL, being zealous, otherwise called PASSION is good, but if without KNOWLEDGE, it’s dangerous and deadly – it’s full of foolishness, frustration and equally erroneous too [Romans 10:1-4]. A mere zealous or zealousness or just being passionate can create mistaken atmosphere due to pure ignorance especially in context of matters except there’s knowledge in the passion of which Jesus rebuked the Sadducees of their erroneous and mistaken acts to the context of resurrection as an example. 

“. . . 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, YE DO ERR [DO ERRONEOUSLY, MISTAKENLY], NOT KNOWING the scriptures, nor the power of God . . .” Matthew 22:29 [23-33]. 

And KNOWLEDGE is good, but without UNDERSTANDING, it breeds arrogance, pride and rudeness. The place of knowledge cannot be taken lightly in every phase of doing life and living GODLY in Christ Jesus stead. Knowledge emancipates and delivers from all forms of stupidity, ignorance, and foolishness.  

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have KNOWLEDGE. KNOWLEDGE PUFFETH UP, but charity edifieth” 1 Corinthians 8:1. 

But where ZEAL (passion) and KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING are together, therein is the WISDOM to do life and much more. The WISDOM to be accomplished and fulfilled in life will always show up. Proverbs 4:5-7. 

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT: 

“Get WISDOM, get UNDERSTANDING: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 WISDOM is the principal thing; therefore get WISDOM: and with all thy getting get UNDERSTANDING” Proverbs 4:5-7. 

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a ZEAL of God, but not according to KNOWLEDGE. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” Romans 10:1-4. 

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have KNOWLEDGE. KNOWLEDGE PUFFETH UP, but charity edifieth” 1 Corinthians 8:1. 

“GOOD UNDERSTANDING GIVETH FAVOUR: but the WAY of TRANSGRESSORS is HARD [DIFFICULT, UNPRODUCTIVE]” Proverbs 13:15/Emphasis Mine. 

“Good UNDERSTANDING wins FAVOR, but the WAY of the TRANSGRESSOR is hard [like the BARREN, DRY soil or the IMPASSABLE swamp]” Proverbs 13:15/AMP Classic Edition. 

“The man that WANDERETH OUT OF THE WAY of UNDERSTANDING shall REMAIN in the CONGREGATION of the DEAD” Proverbs 21:16. 

“A man who WANDERS from the WAY of UNDERSTANDING (GODLY WISDOM) will REMAIN in the ASSEMBLY of the DEAD” Proverbs 21:16. 

Further Scriptural Reading: Proverbs 16:16; 4:5; James 1:5. 

SUMMARY: 

The message emphasises the importance of combining zeal (passion) with knowledge and understanding to achieve wisdom, which is the principal thing. Having zeal without knowledge is dangerous and can lead to foolishness, frustration, and error, as seen in the example of the Sadducees (Matthew 22:23-33, Romans 10:1-4). 

Key points: 

• Zeal and passion are good, but without knowledge, they’re incomplete and potentially destructive. 

• Knowledge without understanding breeds arrogance and pride (1 Corinthians 8:1). 

• When zeal, knowledge, and understanding come together, wisdom is the result, leading to a fulfilling life (Proverbs 4:5-7). 

• Wisdom is the principal thing to seek and acquire (Proverbs 4:7). 

• Good understanding gives favour and leads to a productive life (Proverbs 13:15). 

Scriptural references support the importance of seeking wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to live a godly life. The message encourages readers to earnestly desire wisdom in their passion and pursuits. 

Supporting scriptures: 

• Proverbs 4:5-7 (get wisdom, get understanding) 

• Romans 10:1-4 (zeal without knowledge is incomplete) 

• Matthew 22:29 (Jesus rebuked the Sadducees for lacking knowledge) 

• 1 Corinthians 8:1 (knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies) 

• Proverbs 13:15 (good understanding gives favour) 

The message concludes that wisdom is key to a fulfilling life, and readers are encouraged to seek it in their passions and pursuits 

REV. CHUKIE MORSI