I have been reading a new book this week. “Not A Fan”, basically about not being a Fan of Jesus but being a follower of Jesus. As I read this particular book, inspiration from above is almost to the point of overwhelming me. This is a good book! I don’t normally recommend books for you to read but if your looking for one….read this one!
Now it’s no secret how much I like to read. My bedside table has a stack of books to be read. As I was reading “not a fan”, the author, Kyle Idelman spends a lot of time talking about knowledge of Jesus. Which in turn made me turn into myself and ask, “Was I seeking Knowledge or Wisdom?”
One of my favorite quotes is, “The difference between knowledge and wisdom is: Knowledge is knowing it’s a one way street. Wisdom is looking both ways, anyway.”
It’s good to have knowledge of the Bible and to be able to quote any scripture at the drop of the hat. Does this mean you’re saved? NOPE! Even Satan knows the bible, probably better than any man who walks the earth. That’s scary.
For knowledge to be useful, wisdom must be applied. The problem is that most of the world uses its knowledge based upon the wisdom of the world without God. Man thinks that he is as good, or better than God, or doesn’t believe in God at all.
Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
The Apostle Paul even warned Timothy that in the last days, knowledge would be ever increasing, but that man would never be able to find the truth because he refused to believe in the source of all Truth. Jesus said that He was the “Truth, the Life and the Way.” If mankind won’t accept that Jesus is Truth, and that God is the Creator, the source of all knowledge and wisdom, then how can mankind ever use what he learns wisely?
2 Timothy 3:1-5, 7
"These know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Knowledge creates within the heart of man a desire for things that he does not understand or need. In other words, it becomes a source of temptation.
Wouldn’t we all have been much better off if Adam and Eve would have been satisfied with the knowledge that they had already? God had given them a beautiful home, an eternal body and eternal life, and a personal relationship with Him. They had it all and threw it away for what:?
Just to know what God knew, and after they knew good from evil, they forever wished that they had never known what God knew again. (Gen 3:5-7)
Last night, at our Singles Small Group we asked each other the question, “If you could ask God any question, what would it be?” This question really had a big effect on me. I would have a ton of questions for him. Later, on my drive home, I thought about this question again. I don’t think I want to know what God knows. I particularly think I probably couldn’t handle the answer…er…answers.
I think just one answer would pop my head like a zit (I apologize, gross analogy). The immensity of the answer and the millions of other questions that would pop in my head as a result.
Yet every once in a while I hear some believer in the church, say that they wish they knew what God knows. If God wanted us to know it, He will reveal it or teach it to us. I know that I have to study to be approved unto God, a workman that isn’t ashamed because of my ignorance of His word and His ways. But I don’t want to know everything for with knowledge comes tremendous responsibility to use that knowledge wisely.
I have discovered that the more we think we know, the more we presume to know more, or know better than God, concerning our own lives and the things we want to do. God knew this would be a problem for mankind that was now caught in the grip of sin.
Genesis 3:22,
“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:"
Can you imagine the evil that mankind could attain unto if he were to live eternally in his sinful condition? I shudder to think of what the world would be like if no one could ever die!
But still, I rejoice to think of what Heaven will be like with no more death for those who are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb and have been given eternal life as God intends for it to be.
If you don’t know how to repair a car, no one will ask you, but if you let it be known that you can, then there will be no end of people seeking your help and advice. If you don’t know how to cook, no one will ask, but if you say that you are a good cook, believe me, everyone will want to taste your product.
The more you know, and the more you let your knowledge be known, the more you will be in demand. No one will ask a butcher to repair a computer, but if that butcher tells people that he can repair them, then he will soon have two jobs to do. That’s how it works for all of us. I can personally give testimony to this aspect.
Knowledge also increases the risk of a prideful spirit entering into our hearts. How many times have I tried to witness to someone from a different walk of life than I. It sometimes takes a very powerful act of God to get them to realize just how little they really know.
So knowledge is not always a good thing. Sometimes it can even be a dangerous thing. What is it that makes knowledge worth knowing? It’s knowing the source of knowledge in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we come to know the Lord, the knowledge that we attain suddenly has a deeper meaning than ever before. With knowledge, we gain the wisdom to use it through the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
That’s so important I am going to repeat that sentence. With knowledge, we gain the wisdom to use it through the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Knowledge is a good thing!
I want to know more about my Lord. I want to know more about His Word. I want to know more about His ways. But, I must first know Him, as my Lord and Savior, and then that knowledge will be a blessing and not a curse.
James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
(Note: the Hebrew word for know is Yada!)
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