Quick Charge Your Faith - Know
Why Paul prayed for our knowledge and discernment.
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Knowing the Blessing of Wise Love
Philippians 1:9–11
Some Christians like to live out their faith by catchy slogans. Gotta love ‘em: “Let go and let God,” or “Too blessed to be stressed.” There’s nothing wrong with that as a spiritual appetizer but not as the main entree. While cliches may offer a moment of encouragement, Paul wasn’t interested in a quote filled faith. He wanted believers to grow into something much deeper—and far more powerful.
In Philippians 1:9, Paul writes, “It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” That’s a very specific kind of love. It’s not just about feeling more or knowing more. It’s about loving wisely.
The Greek word for “knowledge” here (epignōsis) doesn’t just refer to known information. It means a deep, relational understanding—something like the kind of knowing that grows between husband and wife over decades. This kind of knowledge comes as God reveals Himself to us through His Word. It’s not cold intellect; it’s warm, Spirit-filled recognition of who He is and what He wants.
But Paul doesn’t stop there. He adds “all discernment”—aisthēsis—a word that points to moral perception, the ability to make sound judgments. Love, left to wander on its own, can end up in the ditch. We've all seen good-hearted people chase bad ideas because no one helped them think clearly. Discernment makes all the difference—kind of like brakes on a car driven by someone with a heavy foot.
Calvin, in his commentary on Philippians, put it plainly: “Love without knowledge is foolish. Knowledge without love is barren.” Paul’s prayer was for a love that thinks—and for a mind that loves. Both together are essential if we’re going to “approve what is excellent” and live lives “pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Phil. 1:10).
That kind of life doesn’t happen by accident. It happens as we soak in Scripture and walk closely with Christ. As we learn not just to want what’s good, but to recognize it—and choose it. Our minds start to work the way His Word leads them to work. Then, new little blessings can start to happen.
Have you ever wondered how all those catchy phrases started? You won’t find the first person who said “Jesus take the wheel” among the great scholars or teachers of the faith. Maybe those words came to someone in a Spirit filled moment of writing. Maybe it was an inspired parent making a nervous teenager smile. Maybe it was someone a lot like you, in a blessed moment with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
So, here's something to pray for today: not just a deeper love for God, but a wiser one. Ask the Lord to grow your understanding of who He is—and to give you the clarity to know what’s right and the courage to do it. Pray it for others too. That was Paul’s heart, and it’s still a worthy request.
Because real love isn’t aimless. It knows where it’s going. And when it’s rooted in truth and guided by grace, it always leads us home.
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