Knowledge for the most part is seen as ‘good’. But I think we all know someone who has a lot of knowledge but very little wisdom or understanding …or love. (Consider 1 Cor 13) Then there is the issue of what kind of knowledge a person has, is it a God revealed knowledge or is it Man’s accumulated knowledge from academia?
God’s knowledge brings wisdom AND humility. And if it is real knowledge born from the Holy Spirit to you – then there comes a paradox with it. The paradox is this, as you receive this knowledge from the Holy Spirit your realize there is SO much more than what you just received from Him. The knowledge of the Holy Spirit allows you to know that what you know is VERY little, and there is a so much more vast knowledge beyond what He just explained to you. So the simple way of stating this paradox is … the more you know the less you know.
Beware of those who are SO certain about their .. knowledge. Often I think they are talking about their ‘beliefs’ more than their knowledge. Intelligence does not equal wisdom. And if you seek wisdom get understanding — Solomon suggests. Knowledge ‘puffs’ up an individual but love builds up – Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:1.
So should I stop seeking knowledge? No. Just seek knowledge from the right Source. Check all things with and through Him by the Spirit. This culture thinks academic knowledge and degrees infer …wisdom and the person should be revered because they have acquired that academic degree. I know many with high degrees with very little wisdom and zero spiritual knowledge. In fact I see our academic system now turning out those with high degrees that actually mean nothing. Their so called ‘knowledge’ is no greater than a 5th grader’s in the 1900’s, or less. And I have met individuals with no college education with minds greater than those with multiple doctorates. In the same vein I have met those with great spiritual knowledge more than those who have multiple advanced seminary degrees. Education does not confer wisdom or God’s knowledge. Submission, humility, and asking the Holy Spirit questions and then receiving from Him and asking more questions about what you just received — usually is the path to wisdom and true knowledge.
There is a cost to having advanced spiritual knowledge, just listen to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. (ESV)
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Most who have great spiritual knowledge are some of the most genuinely humble and gracious people you’ll ever meet. If the individuals are ‘puffed up’ and arrogant then we know they really don’t have much REAL knowledge from God.
Are you certain about what you know? Did you receive it from Him?