If “those who seek the Lord understand all things” (Proverbs 28:5), why do virtuous believers sometimes misjudge situations?

Understanding the Scripture in Context

Proverbs 28:5 reads, “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all things”. At first glance, this verse may appear to suggest that all believers will never err in judgment. Yet throughout Scripture, many faithful individuals make mistakes. This entry explores why misjudgments can still occur despite the assurance that “those who seek the LORD understand all things.”

Meaning of Proverbs 28:5

Proverbs offers concise statements of divine wisdom. The verse emphasizes a general principle: an earnest pursuit of God grants deep spiritual insight, superior moral clarity, and alignment with divine truth. However, proverbs are not ironclad guarantees of momentary perfection but rather overarching principles. They illustrate the blessings tied to godly living and the contrasts to a life lived without reverence for God.

As with many affirmations of Scripture, “understand all things” must be read in the context of one’s ongoing relationship with the Creator. Believers are consistently promised wisdom when they truly seek the Lord (cf. James 1:5). This wisdom is valid and profound, yet human limitations and external factors can cloud our application of it.

Biblical Examples of Misjudgment

1. Nathan’s Quick Assumption (2 Samuel 7:1–17)

Nathan the prophet initially approved King David’s plan to build the temple, stating, “Do all that is in your mind” (2 Samuel 7:3). However, the LORD later directed Nathan to correct that counsel, revealing that David’s son would build the temple, not David himself. Here, Nathan was a faithful prophet yet required further divine instruction.

2. Peter’s Misunderstanding of the Messiahship (Matthew 16:21–23)

Peter recognized Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Almost immediately afterward, he rebuked Jesus for speaking of His coming death. Jesus responded by telling Peter he was not setting his mind on God’s interests but man’s. Peter indeed walked closely with the Lord but misjudged how Christ’s mission would unfold.

These examples show that sincere servants of God can momentarily err or misapply principles, even when they operate in genuine faith.

Human Limitations and Ongoing Growth

While Scripture declares that God bestows understanding on those who seek Him, it also highlights the journey of sanctification—where believers grow over time. The presence of the Holy Spirit guarantees guidance into truth (John 16:13), yet believers remain in a fallen world with the remnants of sin, personal biases, and incomplete knowledge.

1 Corinthians 13:9 reconfirms this reality: “For we know in part and we prophesy in part”. The apostle Paul teaches that believers’ knowledge is partial in this current life, although it is authentic and sufficient for salvation and glorifying God.

Interpreting “Understand All Things”

1. Comprehensive vs. Exhaustive Knowledge

“All things” does not always mean exhaustive knowledge of every detail but rather a clarity about essential truths—especially relating to salvation, God’s character, and moral discernment. In other words, the believer grasps ultimate realities that direct them toward eternal life.

2. Spiritual Discernment vs. Flawless Daily Judgment

The proverb underscores spiritual discernment that arises from seeking God. Even so, believers, as finite creatures, can mishandle information in everyday decisions. It is not a contradiction but an acknowledgment of the tension between the illumination of divine teaching and the daily reflections of mortal minds.

3. Ongoing Reliance on the Holy Spirit

A believer’s capacity to understand grows as dependence on the Holy Spirit grows. Passages such as Romans 8:9–11 highlight that the indwelling Spirit shapes and renews our thinking, but this process is lifelong. Missteps in judgment can emerge when focus shifts from reliance on the Spirit to self-reliance.

Why Misjudgments Occur

1. Remaining Effects of the Fall

Genesis 3 portrays humanity’s fall, introducing error into human thought processes. Despite regeneration, believers can still be influenced by cultural pressures, personal fears, or incomplete data.

2. Lack of Immediate Insight

Throughout Scripture, God entrusts His people with faith-based living. The story of Job (Job 1–42) illustrates that God’s ultimate purposes might require time, patience, and perseverance to understand fully. Misjudgment can happen because believers do not (and cannot) instantly see God’s complete plan.

3. Inaccurate or Insufficient Information

Even those who love the Lord might form conclusions without all the facts. In Acts 18:24–28, Apollos preached fervently but needed Priscilla and Aquila to “explain to him the way of God more accurately”. Sometimes, greater accuracy arrives after being instructed further or learning new facts.

Encouragement and Correction

In moments of error, Scripture encourages humility and correction. Proverbs 9:9, “Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still…”, highlights that godly individuals remain teachable even when they stumble. Correction, ongoing study of God’s Word, and prayerful dependence are all instruments for refining one’s judgment.

Practical Application

1. Guarding the Heart

Regular heart-examination helps believers detect hidden biases (Proverbs 4:23). Seeking counsel from faithful friends, leaders, or biblical resources can safeguard against misguided judgments.

2. Studying Scripture in Community

Acts 2:42 details believers devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship. Recognizing the consistency and reliability of Scripture as the final authority fosters mutual accountability and growth in understanding. Archaeological discoveries—including manuscript evidence from sources such as the Dead Sea Scrolls—underscore the fidelity of Scripture and encourage believers to study it diligently.

3. Praying for Wisdom

James 1:5 reassures that God grants wisdom generously to those who ask. Cultivating a prayerful life invites God’s guiding hand and reduces the likelihood of significant misjudgments or rash decisions.

4. Accepting the Mystery of God

Deuteronomy 29:29 acknowledges secret things that belong to the LORD. Not all divine purposes or reasons for circumstances are revealed immediately. Learning to trust God’s sovereignty, demonstrated ultimately in the resurrection of Christ, helps believers remain grounded even if they have momentary misunderstandings.

Conclusion

Proverbs 28:5 asserts an unchanging truth: in seeking the Lord, one gains profound understanding. Yet Scripture also reveals that believers remain finite and continue growing throughout their lives. Misjudgments do not contradict the promise of godly insight; rather, they highlight the dynamic process of sanctification and our dependence on divine revelation.

A virtuous believer who sincerely seeks the Lord possesses the broadest, most certain knowledge regarding salvation, moral truth, and God’s redemptive plan. However, specific decisions can be misjudged due to personal limitations, the fallen state of the world, and incomplete information. Holding fast to the Bible’s reliability, the promise of the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and the clear demonstration of God’s power in historical and modern miracles all reinforce that true understanding grows in tandem with earnest pursuit of God.

Those who seek Him should remain humble and teachable, allowing Scripture to shape their thinking, and trusting that misjudgments will be corrected through prayer, community, and a deeper walk with the One who ultimately holds all truth.