MEMORISE:
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:2
READ: John 9:39-41.
39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
MESSAGE:
“…Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” 1 Corinthians 8:2
One of the biggest problems facing this generation is what is called ‘too know’ in Nigerian local parlance. In the past, it was the University lectures and professors who had this problem, but now that we have the internet, everyone feels very wise. Knowledge is good, but you must be careful that it does not make you puffed up. When something is puffed up, it is difficult to get anything into it because it is already full of air. One who feels he has a lot of knowledge may not be able to acquire more. If you feel like you know all about computers for example, when someone comes to teach about them, you would have the tendency to ignore the fellow. No matter how much knowledge you have, your disposition should still be that of someone who knows nothing.
Several times, I have been under ministrations where the fellow ministering did so from a Bible passage that I know well, yet I learnt something new from it. A wise philosopher once said “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.”
The phrase ‘Knowledge puffed up’ means that the knowledgeable is often proud. God hates pride. James 4:6 say God resist the proud. To resist means to push against the enemy. When someone is teaching, and you begin to correct the fellow in your heart, watch out: pride has set in. you are calling for God’s resistance.
Lastly, ‘knowledge puffed up’ can also mean that the knowledgeable is so swollen up, that he goes about boasting. As we can see from Romans 1:22, some in professing themselves to be wise, become fools. There is no wisdom is being talkative. Wise people talk only when necessary.
Get as much knowledge as you can, but never get puffed. Just like our memory verse for today says, no matter how much you know, never think that you know it all.
REFLECTION:
Are you puffed up with your knowledge?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 18:1-8.
2 Chronicles 29-31.
Psalm 48.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
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