Desire without Knowledge

     I recently started my coursework to attain a doctorate degree. The professor asked how we could apply Proverbs 19:2 (ESV),  "Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way," to our current journey in college. I wrote the following in reply:

     Desire in the Bible is often spoken of as a wayward behavior whether immoral or foolish. 1 John 2:17 (NIV) tells us, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Throughout Proverbs the fool who speaks out of his own thoughts becomes synonymous with folly such as in Proverbs 29:20 (NIV), “Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”

     In my desire for knowledge, I must first “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give [me] the desires of [my] heart.” (Psalm 37:4 NIV) I need to desire God’s wisdom and understanding in the knowledge that I seek. I must not be hasty in trying to prove a point without first finding evidence from a reliable source to support it, and I must be diligent in the process of studying and seeking knowledge so as not to come off as a fool!

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.