We live in a world that gives a low priority to understanding.

1
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• When you speak of understanding you speak of the
  ability to see reality. This is primarily
  a spiritual issue. (Prov 15-7 22-7)

2
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• Proverbs 15-7 (NKJV) - A wise man will hear and
  increase learning, And a man of understanding
  will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a
  proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and
  their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the
  beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom
  and instruction.

3
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• Proverbs 22-7 (NKJV) - So that you incline your
  ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to
  understanding 3 Yes, if you cry out for
  discernment, And lift up your voice for
  understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And
  search for her as for hidden treasures 5 Then
  you will understand the fear of the Lord, And
  find the knowledge of God.

4
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• 6 For the Lord gives wisdom From His mouth come
  knowledge and understanding 7 He stores up sound
  wisdom for the upright He is a shield to those
  who walk uprightly

5
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• The foundation of the fear of God causes a man to
  want to see things as they are.

6
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• The foundation of the fear of God causes a man to
  want to see things as they are.
• True understanding is not easy. It requires a
  spiritual commitment. (Prov 1215 162)

7
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• Proverbs 1215 (NKJV) - The way of a fool is
  right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel
  is wise.

8
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• Proverbs 162 (NKJV) - All the ways of a man are
  pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the
  spirits.

9
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• The power of Satan is found in deception. (Jn
  844-45 Eph 417-19)

10
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• John 844-45 (NKJV) - You are of your father the
  devil, and the desires of your father you want to
  do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
  does not stand in the truth, because there is no
  truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks
  from his own resources, for he is a liar and the
  father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth,
  you do not believe Me.

11
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• Ephesians 417-19 (NKJV) - This I say, therefore,
  and testify in the Lord, that you should no
  longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in
  the futility of their mind, 18 having their
  understanding darkened, being alienated from the
  life of God, because of the ignorance that is in
  them, because of the blindness of their heart

12
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves
  over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with
  greediness.

13
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• Satan knows that lies corrupt the mind to the
  point you can no longer think!

14
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• Satan knows that lies corrupt the mind to the
  point you can no longer think!
• Whatever kind of misunderstand we can think
  about, it will only be a sound mind that can
  consistently discern and come to understand.

15
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• Satan is the ruler of this world and thus it is
  rare to find those who put a priority on
  understanding! (John 1430)

16
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• John 1430 (NKJV) - I will no longer talk much
  with you, for the ruler of this world is coming,
  and he has nothing in Me.

17
We live in a world that gives a low priority to
understanding.

• Christian, expect to be misunderstood and
  misrepresented!

18
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Consider the struggles we faced in order to
  believe in God.

19
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Consider the struggles we faced in order to
  believe in God.
• Some doubt that the Bible could be God's word
  because of the different reactions that men have
  to it. (Acts 2824-29)

20
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Acts 2824-29 (NKJV) - And some were persuaded by
  the things which were spoken, and some
  disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among
  themselves, they departed after Paul had said one
  word The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through
  Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

21
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• 26 saying, Go to this people and say Hearing
  you will hear, and shall not understand And
  seeing you will see, and not perceive 27 For the
  hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears
  are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have
  closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and
  hear with their ears, Lest they should understand
  with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal
  them.

22
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• 28 Therefore let it be known to you that the
  salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles,
  and they will hear it! 29 And when he had said
  these words, the Jews departed and had a great
  dispute among themselves.

23
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• By design God has given a message that would
  cause the proud to reject it and the humble
  to find it. (1 Cor 122-29, Mt 713-14)

24
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• 1 Corinthians 122-29 (NKJV) - For Jews request a
  sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom 23 but we
  preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling
  block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to
  those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,
  Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than
  men, and the weakness of God is stronger than
  men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that
  not many wise according to the flesh, not many
  mighty, not many noble, are called.

26
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the
  world to put to shame the wise, and God has
  chosen the weak things of the world to put to
  shame the things which are mighty 28 and the
  base things of the world and the things which are
  despised God has chosen, and the things which are
  not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29
  that no flesh should glory in His presence.

27
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Matthew 713-14 (NKJV) - Enter by the narrow
  gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way
  that leads to destruction, and there are many who
  go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and
  difficult is the way which leads to life, and
  there are few who find it.

28
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Jesus plainly stated that God's truth must be
  carefully pursued. (Jn 717 Mt 1310-15)

29
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• John 717 (NKJV) - If anyone wills to do His
  will, he shall know concerning the doctrine,
  whether it is from God or whether I speak on My
  own authority.

30
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Matthew 1310-15 (NKJV) - And the disciples came
  and said to Him, Why do You speak to them in
  parables? 11 He answered and said to them,
  Because it has been given to you to know the
  mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them
  it has not been given.

31
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given,
  and he will have abundance but whoever does not
  have, even what he has will be taken away from
  him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables,
  because seeing they do not see, and hearing they
  do not hear, nor do they understand.

32
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is
  fulfilled, which says Hearing you will hear and
  shall not understand, And seeing you will see and
  not perceive 15 For the hearts of this people
  have grown dull. Their ears Bare hard of hearing,
  And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should
  see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
  Lest they should understand with their hearts and
  turn, So that I should heal them.

33
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Potentially anyone can find the truth of God, but
  those who do will have to dig deep and not be
  easily discouraged by the tests God gives them.

34
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Potentially anyone can find the truth of God, but
  those who do will have to dig deep and not be
  easily discouraged by the tests God gives them.
• Do you have what it takes? Can you find the truth
  and keep the truth because you have a love for
  the truth?

35
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Potentially anyone can find the truth of God, but
  those who do will have to dig deep and not be
  easily discouraged by the tests God gives them.
• Do you have what it takes? Can you find the truth
  and keep the truth because you have a love for
  the truth?
• In order to see clearly we must have a pure
  heart! (James 317)

36
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• James 317 (NKJV) - But the wisdom that is from
  above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
  willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,
  without partiality and without hypocrisy.

37
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• We must have a commitment to that which is true
  (Phil 48)

38
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Philippians 48 (NKJV) - Finally, brethren,
  whatever things are true, whatever things are
  noble, whatever things are just, whatever things
  are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever
  things are of good report, if there is any virtue
  and if there is anything praiseworthymeditate on
  these things.

39
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• We must have pure motives (Heb 412)

40
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Hebrews 412 (NKJV) - For the word of God is
  living and powerful, and sharper than any
  two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of
  soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is
  a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
  heart.

41
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• We must become a people that place principle over
  relationships. (John 920-22)

42
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• John 920-22 (NKJV) - His parents answered them
  and said, We know that this is our son, and that
  he was born blind 21 but by what means he now
  sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do
  not know. He is of age ask him. He will speak
  for himself.

43
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• 22 His parents said these things because they
  feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already
  that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he
  would be put out of the synagogue.

44
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• The world has no hope of understanding.

45
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• The world has no hope of understanding.
• Satan blinds them to the gospel. (2 Cor 43-4)

46
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• 2 Corinthians 43-4 (NKJV) - But even if our
  gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are
  perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has
  blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of
  the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the
  image of God, should shine on them.

47
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Satan uses these men like dumb cattle. Why did
  they seek Jesus death? (Mk 1510)

48
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Mark 1510 (NKJV) - For he knew that the chief
  priests had handed Him over because of envy.

49
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• How many get angry over gossip or lies and stop
  thinking! (Prov 1819)

50
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Proverbs 1819 (NKJV)- A brother offended is
  harder to win than a strong city, And contentions
  are like the bars of a castle.

51
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• The Romans had a good law but still failed to
  give justice. (Acts 2516)

52
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Acts 2516 (NKJV) - To them I answered, It is
  not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man
  to destruction before the accused meets the
  accusers face to face, and has opportunity to
  answer for himself concerning the charge against
  him.

53
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• Laws are good but they do not replace morals! Ex.
  Current markets.

54
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• But when religion loses its voice and the media
  worship success, when right and wrong become
  relativised and morality is condemned as
  judgmental, when people lose all sense of
  honour and shame and there is nothing they won't
  do if they can get away with it, no regulation
  will save us.

55
We must be committed to seek and understand that
which is true

• People will outwit the regulators, as they did by
  the securitisation of risk so no one knew who
  owed what to whom. - Morals the one thing
  markets don't make - No amount of regulation will
  restore our sense of honour and shame. Economics
  needs ethics by Jonathan Sacks

56
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Remember, it is not a matter of if but of
  when this will happen! (Jn 1518-21)

57
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• John 1518-21 (NKJV) - If the world hates you,
  you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19
  If you were of the world, the world would love
  its own. Yet because you are not of the world,
  but I chose you out of the world, therefore the
  world hates you.

58
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• 20 Remember the word that I said to you, A
  servant is not greater than his master. If they
  persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If
  they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21
  But all these things they will do to you for My
  names sake, because they do not know Him who
  sent Me.

59
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• It takes great effort to seek to understand
  another.

60
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Self-centered people will not make the effort.

61
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Self-centered people will not make the effort.
• It is not uncommon to have an enemy without a
  cause! (Ps 3519 694)

62
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 3519 (NKJV) - Let them not rejoice over me
  who are wrongfully my enemies Nor let them wink
  with the eye who hate me without a cause.

63
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 694 (NKJV) - Those who hate me without a
  cause Are more than the hairs of my head They
  are mighty who would destroy me, Being my enemies
  wrongfully Though I have stolen nothing, I still
  must restore it.

64
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• How can this be? This is a common tool of Satan!

65
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• How can this be? This is a common tool of Satan!
• A Christians effectiveness can be blocked to one
  who has listened to gossip!

66
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• A person can do you wrong and then hate you!
  (Prov 2628)

67
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Proverbs 2628 (NKJV) - A lying tongue hates
  those who are crushed by it, And a flattering
  mouth works ruin.

68
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Saul became Davids enemy because of envy. (1 Sam
  187-9)

69
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• 1 Samuel 187-9 (NKJV) - So the women sang as
  they danced, and said Saul has slain his
  thousands, And David his ten thousands. 8 Then
  Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased
  him and he said, They have ascribed to David
  ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only
  thousands. Now what more can he have but the
  kingdom? 9 So Saul eyed David from that day
  forward.

70
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Nothing will test your faith in God as much as
  dealing with an unreasonable, deceitful,
  hate-filled person.

71
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Nothing will test your faith in God as much as
  dealing with an unreasonable, deceitful,
  hate-filled person.
• A hard lesson to learn is that you cannot change
  another against their will!

72
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Nothing will test your faith in God as much as
  dealing with an unreasonable, deceitful,
  hate-filled person.
• A hard lesson to learn is that you cannot change
  another against their will!
• The Psalms are filled with pleas to God for
  deliverance form enemies. Let this draw you
  closer to God. (Ps 132 252, 19 429-11)

73
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 132 (NKJV) - How long shall I take counsel
  in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How
  long will my enemy be exalted over me?

74
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 252 (NKJV) - O my God, I trust in You Let
  me not be ashamed Let not my enemies triumph
  over me.

75
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 2519 (NKJV) - Consider my enemies, for
  they are many And they hate me with cruel hatred.

76
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 429-11 (NKJV) - I will say to God my Rock,
  Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning
  because of the oppression of the enemy? 10 As
  with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach
  me, While they say to me all day long, Where is
  your God?

77
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are
  you disquieted within me? Hope in God For I
  shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance
  and my God.

78
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Satan will strongly tempt you to become like your
  enemy.

79
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Satan will strongly tempt you to become like your
  enemy.
• What does the world say? Some Christians think
  that once someone fires the first shot then all
  rules are off!

80
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• What did Jesus do with His enemies? (1 Pt
  221-24)

81
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• 1 Peter 221-24 (NKJV) - For to this you were
  called, because Christ also suffered for us,
  leaving us an example, that you should follow His
  steps 22 Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit
  found in His mouth 23 who, when He was reviled,
  did not revile in return when He suffered, He
  did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him
  who judges righteously

82
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on
  the tree, that we, having died to sins, might
  live for righteousnessby whose stripes you were
  healed.

83
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Jesus responded this way because He trusted God.

84
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Jesus responded this way because He trusted God.
• We are greatly challenged to respond in the same
  way. (Rom 1217-21)

85
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Romans 1217-21 (NKJV) - Repay no one evil for
  evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of
  all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends
  on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved,
  do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place
  to wrath for it is written, Vengeance is Mine,
  I will repay, says the Lord.

86
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• 20 Therefore If your enemy is hungry, feed him
  If he is thirsty, give him a drink For in so
  doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.
  21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
  with good.

87
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• This adversity should cause you to draw closer to
  God. (Psa 2711-14)

88
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 2711-14 (NKJV) - Teach me Your way, O
  Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my
  enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my
  adversaries For false witnesses have risen
  against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13
  I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
  That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the
  land of the living.

89
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• 14 Wait on the Lord Be of good courage, And He
  shall strengthen your heart Wait, I say, on the
  Lord!

90
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• The world will scream at you Hit him back!

91
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• The world will scream at you Hit him back!
• There is a calmness and a strength that come from
  knowing the battle is Gods and
  that He will deliver. (Psa 6012 612-4 318)

92
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 6012 (NKJV) - Through God we will do
  valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our
  enemies.

93
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 612-4 (NKJV) - From the end of the earth I
  will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed
  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For
  You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower
  from the enemy. 4 I will abide in Your tabernacle
  forever I will trust in the shelter of Your
  wings. Selah

94
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 318 (NKJV) - And have not shut me up into
  the hand of the enemy You have set my feet in a
  wide place.

95
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• While your enemy frets and plots in his
  self-defeating bitterness, you can move on
  and rejoice in the manifold blessings of God.
  (Psa 234-6)

96
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• Psalm 234-6 (NKJV) - Yea, though I walk through
  the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
  no evil For You are with me Your rod and Your
  staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table
  before me in the presence of my enemies You
  anoint my head with oil My cup runs over. 6
  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the
  days of my life And I will dwell in the house of
  the Lord Forever.

97
How do we respond when we are misunderstood?

• You also will draw closer to Christians! What a
  blessing!

98
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• I must be committed to justice and mercy. (Zech
  79 Mic 68 Lk 1142)

99
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• Zechariah 79 (NKJV) - Thus says the Lord of
  hosts Execute true justice, Show mercy and
  compassion Everyone to his brother.

100
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• Micah 68 (NKJV) - He has shown you, O man, what
  is good And what does the Lord require of you
  But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk
  humbly with your God?

101
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• Luke 1142 (NKJV) - But woe to you Pharisees!
  For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of
  herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God.
  These you ought to have done, without leaving the
  others undone.

102
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• I often need to ask the question What do I
  really know? when I hear a report.

103
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• I often need to ask the question What do I
  really know? when I hear a report.
• I must be committed to righteous judgment.
  (John 724)

104
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• John 724 (NKJV) - Do not judge according to
  appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.

105
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• I must walk down the difficult path of meeting
  difficult people and seeking to find what
  is true. (Mt 1815-17 523-24)

106
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• Matthew 1815-17 (NKJV) - Moreover if your
  brother sins against you, go and tell him his
  fault between you and him alone. If he hears you,
  you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will
  not hear, take with you one or two more, that by
  the mouth of two or three witnesses every word
  may be established.

107
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the
  church. But if he refuses even to hear the
  church, let him be to you like a heathen and a
  tax collector.

108
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• Matthew 523-24 (NKJV) - Therefore if you bring
  your gift to the altar, and there remember that
  your brother has something against you, 24 leave
  your gift there before the altar, and go your
  way. First be reconciled to your brother, and
  then come and offer your gift.

109
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• We must do everything we can out of righteousness
  and fairness. (Mt 712)

110
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• Matthew 712 (NKJV) - Therefore, whatever you
  want men to do to you, do also to them, for this
  is the Law and the Prophets.

111
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• What is the common response when you hear a
  report about another and ask the question Have
  you talked to him about this?

112
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• Satans most powerful work is done by Christians
  when they work behind the scenes because they
  fear the reaction of others.

113
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• Satans most powerful work is done by Christians
  when they work behind the scenes because they
  fear the reaction of others.
• I will make mercy a foundation of my thinking.
  (James 213 317)

114
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• James 213 (NKJV) - For judgment is without mercy
  to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs
  over judgment.

115
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• James 317 (NKJV) - But the wisdom that is from
  above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
  willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,
  without partiality and without hypocrisy.

116
How can I avoid misunderstanding others?

• The adversities of life should draw us closer to
  God.