“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more
in knowledge and in all judgment.”
(Philippians 1:9)
A growing love, anchored in truth and guided by spiritual discernment, is the aim of Paul’s prayer for the Philippian believers. In fact, he prays that their love abound—overflow and increase continually—through knowledge and judgment. That is to say, Paul is desirous that their love be refined by truth, matured by wisdom, and rooted in the knowledge of God as revealed in His Word. As 17th century English clergyman Vincent Alsop encouraged, “Let us religiously keep up a spirit of love to peace and truth.”[1]
God often places His people in challenging situations where clarity is hard to find and easy answers are elusive. In these moments, discernment becomes vital. The ability to distinguish between things that differ, to weigh matters rightly, to know not only what is good but what is best—these are qualities that come through growth in knowledge and judgment.
This level of discernment can only be obtained through consistent application of God’s Word in real-world decisions. “Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,” the writer to the Hebrews says, “even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Spiritual maturity is therefore achieved by constant engagement with Scripture and repeated application of its principles in the lab of life.
Further, mature spiritual discernment is essential for every believer who wishes to walk uprightly. Without it, we are like a ship without a rudder, easily tossed by the winds of false doctrine, trendy ideas, or emotional impulses. But with it, we can anchor ourselves in truth, navigate complexity with grace, and approve what is excellent.
Paul’s prayer connects love with discernment because the two must grow together. A love that lacks discernment can deteriorate into blind tolerance. And knowledge without love can lead to arrogance. The Spirit produces both in harmony—so that our affections are informed by truth, and our wisdom is exercised with humility.
As we abound in knowledge and judgment, we are enabled to live lives that are sincere—free of hypocrisy—and blameless—without offense—until the day of Christ (Phil. 1:10). The result is a life filled with the fruits of righteousness, to the glory and praise of God (Phil. 1:11). What greater goal can we pursue than to walk wisely, love rightly, and live to the honor of Christ?
Contemplations:
- Seeking Steadfastness in Truth. Lord, I know that if I am not grounded in Your truth, I can easily be swept away by falsehood or confusion. So many voices speak today, and unless I am deeply planted in Scripture, I can be easily misled. So I ask You to anchor me in the truth of Your Word. Give me discernment to recognize what is excellent and pleasing in Your sight, and help me walk in Your truth daily.
- Desiring Zeal with Understanding. Sometimes I feel cold and unmoved by the truth. My heart lacks fervor, and my passion wanes. Lord, make me zealous for Your Word. Let my desire for knowledge be driven by my love for You and a longing to be wise in how I live. Warm my cold heart and ignite a holy hunger for discernment.
- Balancing Zeal with Wisdom. Father, I see in Scripture how You desire both passion and prudence. Apollos was fervent, yet he needed fuller instruction. Paul prayed for love informed by judgment. Help me not to be hasty, unwise, or reckless in my zeal. Instead, let my devotion be guided by discretion, shaped by Your truth, and restrained by godly wisdom.
- Living Out My Faith with Discernment. I want to approve the things that are excellent. I want to walk in sincerity and blamelessness, filled with the fruits of righteousness. But I know I can’t do that without Your help, Lord. So I pray, teach me. Train me. Correct me. Refine me. Make me wise, that I may glorify You more in every choice and step I take.
Prayer (Supplication):
O wise and holy Father, I come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, asking that You cause me to abound in knowledge and in all judgment. You called me not just to believe, but to grow—to mature in understanding, to walk in wisdom, and to live a life that pleases You in all things. And for that, Lord, I need discernment. I need the ability to approve what is excellent.
Your Word is truth, and by it I am sanctified. Let me not be satisfied with shallow understanding or surface-level knowledge. Deepen my grasp of Your Word. Give me insight that penetrates, understanding that endures, and wisdom that rightly applies truth to life. And let my love for You be rich with knowledge—solid, tested, and sure.
I confess, Lord, that I am often quick to speak and slow to reflect. I rush into judgments, I lean on my own wisdom, and I neglect the counsel of Your Word. Forgive me. Teach me to pause, to pray, to search the Scriptures before I act. Let me be one who guides his affairs with discretion, who weighs his words, who chooses the better portion.
Grant me, O God, a heart that is eager to learn and slow to assume. Teach me to test every spirit, every doctrine, every decision against Your revealed truth. Let me not be tossed to and fro by the winds of culture, or carried about by the subtle errors of clever men. Keep me steady, sound, and wise.
When I face confusing decisions or gray areas where right and wrong are not immediately clear, be my Counselor. Help me look to Your Spirit to guide me into truth. Train me, through daily study and constant prayer, to become skilled in discernment. Let me not be content with simply knowing what is permissible, but press on to pursue what is excellent.
And Lord, let this growth in knowledge never make me proud. Let it humble me. Let it make me more gracious, more patient, and more loving. Let it equip me to serve others, to edify the church, and to glorify Christ in all things. And let the fruit of righteousness—born through Jesus and nurtured by Your Word—abound in my life to the praise of Your glory.
This I ask with all my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Philippians 1:9:
1 Thess. 3:12; Col. 1:9; 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Thess. 4:9; 2 Cor. 8:7.
[1] Vincent Alsop, Practical Godliness the Ornament and Muniment of All Religion Being the Subject of Several Sermons (London: Printed for John Barnes .., 1696), 122.
