Real Knowledge and All Discernment

Phil 1:9

And this I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
: 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;

Paul prayed for love to abound more and more in real knowledge and discernment so that we could approve the things that are excellent and be found sincere and blameless.

This was brought to my attention: that it is important to know love in such a way as the outcome is sincere and blameless as verse 10 states.

So we must learn to love with real knowledge. Real “knowledge of doctrinal and practical truth” according to one commentary online. But also knowing Your word and knowing You Father, is vital in discerning truth.
Knowing You in the sense that we live every moment in fellowship with you, hearing You, receiving Your love, obeying Your Spirit’s prompting. This brings forth true spiritual discernment.

Approving what is excellent takes this discernment. The Message in verse: 10 says “so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not in sentimental gush”.
I like that. That seemed to clarify for me what Paul is saying. Because we can “love” out of sentimentality which would not necessarily mean we have discernment in that love.
Discernment meaning depth of insight, understanding, and judgment. Seeing things as they really are or seeing into the “love” and discerning its true character and motives.

What we might call “love” can have selfish or carnal motives as its foundation. As believers we are called to a higher love, to the kind of sacrificial love that Jesus Christ demonstrated toward us at the Cross. A no matter what kind of love.

Thinking of this makes me realize the importance of growing in this knowledge, not only of Your Word, but in our relationship with You, Father. And spiritual discernment will enable us to see our true heart as well as the heart of others. Thus we will better be able to be sincere (pure in heart) and without fault in those works that You created us to do while we remain on this earth.

I am so thankful that You Who began a good work in me, will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil 1:6)