“Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. Those who have knowledge desire to appear learned, and to be called wise. Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul. And foolish out of measure is he who attendeth upon other things rather than those which serve to his soul’s health. Many words satisfy not the soul, but a good life refresheth the mind, and a pure conscience giveth great confidence towards God.”
(The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis, The First Book, page 5)
I never did finish college and have often regretted it. Yet in recent years, I realize the Lord was protecting me in many ways.
The quest for knowledge and power was what brought Lucifer down. It puffed him up, filling him with an arrogance which was unprecedented.
Our hearts need to be willing to humbly learn. May we not think we know it all or know better than those around us, for there is something to be learned from each person in our lives.
From the humblest of occupations, such as a farmer, there can often be found a greater measure of intelligence than in a scholar. A farmer is wise in the ways of climate, the land, crops, and cattle so as to bring about the greatest yield.
Paul made this observation about knowledge,
“But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-3, NLT)
Knowledge puffs up because it flatters our pride. Love builds up because it has the greatest good of the fellow Christian as the top priority.
“Brotherly love is still the distinguishing badge of every true Christian.” (Matthew Henry)
(from The Key Word Commentary by Mark Water, page 1071)
We all have this innate desire to know. There’s even an advertising slogan that states, “Inquiring minds wants to know.” But knowledge apart from the fear and love of God, and others, amounts to nothing in this life.
“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:1-5, NLT)
Let us become people who are wise in what truly matters.
Let us be learned in God’s truths.
Wise in the application of His Word to our lives and situations.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
**This is an edited post from 2017.
Image by Ryan Morrison from Pixabay
Amen to your following statement Joanne;
“Let us be learned in God’s truths.
Wise in the application of His Word to our lives and situations.”
Blessings, Jennifer
It’s tricky, because the Bible does tell us to gain certain kind of knowledge. Yet we can so easily get puffed up over what we know. May whatever knowledge we gain serve to increase our praise to the One who made the world we live in, and may we seek to know Him most of all.
It truly is tricky. We need knowledge with humility and as you have written… “may we seek to know Him most of all.”
I think of knowledge as referred to about Jesus in Isaiah 11:2, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” In that respect, I think there can be a pure hunger and thirst for knowledge of the Holy One.
I agree, Lisa. May our thirst be for knowledge of the Holy One..
Your post is so timely, Joanne! Our bible study this fall is “The Way of Wisdom” and at our leader’s meeting yesterday we talked about the difference between wisdom and knowledge. We discussed that while knowledge is factual information, wisdom is the God-given ability to apply that knowledge with discernment to live according to God’s will. Now you’ve given me some additional thoughts to share during today’s small group. Thank you!
Amen. We need wisdom in applying the knowledge so that we are able to live according to God’s will and His Word. Thank you for adding this point!
You have a point here, Joanne, “But knowledge apart from the fear and love of God, and others, amounts to nothing in this life.” Knowledge, (like money referred to and often misquoted in 1 Timothy 6:10) is not the evil, but the “love” of knowledge (and money) is. That is to say, our desire to use knowledge as a way of elevating ourselves over others. There is nothing evil in gaining knowledge when done in the fear and love of God, guided by spiritual discernment and wisdom
This >>> “There is nothing evil in gaining knowledge when done in the fear and love of God, guided by spiritual discernment and wisdom.” Amen.
This is good, and I think certain personality types struggle to acquire knowledge at the expense of love. On the flipside, other personality types would benefit from an infusion of wisdom and knowledge to temper their loving impulses.
You are so right, Michele. It truly is a fine balance.
Worldly knowledge and worldly wealth make promises they can’t keep. Wisdom that comes from the fear of the Lord satisfies and protects.
Another good point to think on! So glad you shared!
The Thomas A. Kempis quote sounds like it was made for our time. I’ve always considered myself an information gatherer (the journalist in me) – but so much of the information gathered now seems like “a chasing after the wind.” This is such a thought-provoking idea for our day with all the social media, even the document sights with all the original writings of men throughout centuries – interesting things to lure away from God.
❤️
Thank you for quoting Paul who said ” it is love that strengthens the church.” More than knowledge, we need love. After all the bible tells us they will know we Christ’s disciples if we have love for one another (See John 13:35).
I’m also reminded of the truism: People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
May our first objective always be love.
Thank you for adding the truism!
So wonderfully spoken Joanne.