Ignorance is not bliss. Especially in our fast-paced information world right now, we need to be competitive. We need to know as much as we can about everything from science to culinary arts or to whatever is happening in our neighbor’s backyard. Knowledge is power, or more accurately, knowledge is control – so that we would know how to act appropriately in any situation. If this is true for the secular world, all the more this applies to our spiritual life.
Throughout the Bible, God’s repeated command to His people is to learn, study, grow, equip our mind with His Word. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts us to be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give account for the hope that is in you.” How do we defend the truth if we do not know the truth?
Knowing the truth of God is very important. Knowledge will give substance to faith. Knowing that our faith is not based on feelings or someone else’s opinions but is based on God’s truth – the Bible, provides stability to our spiritual life. Knowledge will help us detect and confront errors. In this age of many religions and cults, we will not be intimidated and led astray by false teachings. Knowledge will also comfort us during times of testing. We will not panic. We will not doubt. Knowledge will also help us grow to spiritual maturity. As we follow God’s truth, we are going to be transformed and be more Christ-like.
We are responsible for nourishing ourselves with the truth – through reading the Bible and listening and learning Biblically sound doctrines, joining a Bible Study. However, knowledge alone can also be dangerous. Knowledge just for knowledge’s sake is incomplete and can turn into pride. The Bible frequently warns us against being full of knowledge and becoming “puffed up” because of it. Knowledge can also be dangerous when it remains theoretical. God gave us His truth so that we may put it into practice, not simply store it up. It does not matter if we can memorize a lot of verses from the Bible but if we do not apply His Word to our daily lives, then this kind of knowledge is useless. Knowledge can be inadequate if it is not balanced by love and grace. After all, it is by love and grace that we were given knowledge in the first place. Without grace and love, knowledge may lead to arrogance and discrimination “I know more than you do.” Finally, knowledge without the Spirit of God is tragic. Without the Holy Spirit, we will not gain discernment and wisdom.
What can you change in your daily schedule that will help you and give you more time for spiritual nourishment? Plan ahead. Give top priority to this end so that you can gain not just knowledge, but wisdom.
Reference: Growing Deep in the Christian Life by Charles Swindoll
Zondervan Publishing House © 1995, pp. 19-49
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