Love With Knowledge

A ministry of presence

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight…"
— Philippians 1:9

If we were writing a letter to new Christians, what would we say? Many would focus on urging them to be witnesses—speaking boldly about Jesus, sharing the gospel at every opportunity. And certainly, proclaiming Christ is important. But Paul’s prayer for the Philippians doesn’t begin there. Instead, he prays that their love may abound. Not just as a feeling, but as an active force, shaped by knowledge and discernment.

It’s easy to equate Christian love with sentiment—kind words, generosity, or simply good intentions. But Paul makes it clear that love isn’t to be blind or reckless. Love, when guided by wisdom and spiritual insight, knows when to act and when to wait. This is love that serves effectively rather than merely reacts.

Discernment in love is especially crucial in how we help others. Sometimes, in an eagerness to do good, we rush in without wisdom. We pour resources into situations that don’t actually bring about lasting change. We intervene in ways that hinder rather than help. The father of the prodigal son knew this. He didn’t chase his son into the far country, nor did he shield him from the consequences of his choices. Love restrained itself, waiting until true restoration could take place. And when that moment came, the father ran to embrace him. That’s love with knowledge and insight.

Paul’s prayer challenges me today. Am I loving in a way that reflects God’s wisdom, or am I moved by impulse? Do I pause to seek the Spirit’s guidance before stepping in, or do I assume that any act of giving is automatically good? True love listens. True love discerns. And true love waits when necessary—because it desires real restoration, not just immediate relief.

Personal Journal Entry

Lord, You’ve made love the very fabric of my new life in Christ. I never thought that would have been possible. I clearly see that it’s not something I need to muster up; it flows from You, alive within me. But I see how easily I can misdirect it. Sometimes I want to fix things too quickly, acting on or speaking from emotion rather than wisdom. Other times, I’ve mistaken avoidance for discernment, failing to love when I should have stepped forward.

You are love itself, yet You never act out of mere sentiment. Your love moves in perfect wisdom, always knowing when to embrace and when to wait. I want to love like that—to be attuned to Your Spirit in how I serve, how I give, and how I relate to others. Such is the desire of the inner man; the new creation in Christ.

I think back to the prodigal’s father. He didn’t rush in to rescue his son from his own rebellion, nor did he harden his heart when the moment for restoration came. His love was steady, full of wisdom, waiting for the right time. That’s the kind of love You’ve poured into me—the kind that knows when to act and when to step back.

So I trust You today, Lord. I trust that as I yield to You, You will direct my love—guiding my hands to action where it’s needed and keeping them still where it’s not. I don’t need to guess or rely on my own understanding. You live in me, and You are love. That is enough.

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Devotional Credit: Immeasurably More