Head-Knowledge vs. Heart-Knowledge

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and ALL discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

Question: Why didn't the text say...that your love may abound still more and more in ALL knowledge and discernment? Why just...in ALL discernment? What's the difference? And why one over another?

Answer: First, lets look at the definition of these two words.

knowledge: a clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; learning; illumination of the mind.

discernment: the act of distinguishing; knowing; judging; also, the power or faculty of the mind to distinguish one thing from another, as truth from falsehood and virtue from vice; the power of perceiving differences of things or ideas, and their relations & tendencies.

In other words, knowledge is what takes place in the head. It is you affirming in your mind something to exist or be true or false. Discernment however, is what takes place in the heart as a result of what's in the head. Let me put it this way, (for a Christian) knowledge is your mental assent to understanding theology (God) and discernment is the ability (and desire) to apply the truths you now understand.

So why the emphasis on discernment?
Lets look at some other scriptures...

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

1 Corinthians 8:1
Knowledge [alone] puffs up, but love edifies.

In other words, knowledge without love [ie. application] makes us haughty and profits us nothing. This is what separates or sets us apart from the world. Anyone can obtain knowledge. In fact, the devil has more knowledge about God [ie. correct theology] than we do. But the difference is...he does not love God and therefore does not apply God's truths!



THEREFORE...

this I pray,
that your love [1 Cor. 13:4-8, Gal.5:22-23, Eph. 5:1-2, 1 Th. 4:9-11, etc...]
may abound still [continue to grow] more and more
in knowledge [of God, ie. theology]
and in all discernment [application of theology, ie. Godly living]
that you may approve [distinguish & establish]
the things that are excellent, [the right priorities]
that you may be [continually fixed upon]
sincere [genuine & without hypocrisy]
and without offense [blameless, without fault, above reproach]
till the day of Christ, [when you see Him face to face]
being filled with [by the Holy Spirit]
the fruits of righteousness [Galatians 5:22-23 & James 3:17-18]
which are by Jesus Christ, [by His grace]
to the glory and praise of God. [1Cor.10:31]
~Philippians 1:9-11