COLOSSIANS 1:9

For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,” 

This time of the year being “all filled up” has the connotation of being stuffed with turkey, ham, cornbread dressing and pumpkin pie. When is the last time you ate until you were too full? I have learned as I have gotten older to limit what I eat at a meal. My wife and I often will split a meal when we go out to eat. We just don’t want to get “all filled up” and be uncomfortable.

Paul was not talking about eating in today’s verse when he said he was praying for these Colossian believers to “be filled.” No, he was asking the Father to fill them with “the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” That is a good filling. That is a filling worthy of seconds and thirds. That is a filling that we all need on a daily basis. Let’s break this down a bit.

APPLICATION

First, Paul prays they are filled with the knowledge of His will. The Greek word used here for “knowledge” is epignósis. Strong’s Lexicon states that it “refers to a deep, thorough, and precise knowledge. It implies a full understanding or discernment that goes beyond mere factual awareness. In the New Testament, it often denotes a spiritual or moral insight that is granted by God, particularly in the context of knowing Christ and His will.” In other words, Paul didn’t want them to know about God’s will. He wanted them to fully know God’s will.

Then he further defines his prayer. He wants that knowledge to include “all spiritual wisdom.” What does that mean? Paul gives a thorough teaching on God’s wisdom and worldly wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Let me just pull out one part of one verse. In verse 20, Paul says, “Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world?” In today’s verse, Paul is praying for spiritual wisdom. He prayed specifically. We should too.

Finally, Paul prays for “spiritual…understanding.” Okay, this is where the application really begins. Paul is praying that they not only know God’s will and have godly wisdom, but that they also know how to apply this as mature believers. That’s the idea of this word “understanding.” It’s one thing to know something, but it’s another thing to know how to use that knowledge wisely. That is what Paul is praying. Again, we should pray for the same.

O Lord, give me that same spiritual wisdom and understanding of Your will for my life today.