Knowledge

Knowledge & Love

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.” 1 Corinthians 8:1

The apostle Paul made this statement when dealing with food being offered to idols. He highlighted the importance of knowledge and love when dealing in any situation. Whenever one-side ignores the other, the situation becomes out of kilter.

To get knowledge is important. Without knowledge one is ignorant and vulnerable to all types of negative influences. The Book of Proverbs contains over forty maxims emphasizing the importance of knowledge. One of my favorites state that knowledge is more valuable than gold. With knowledge one gains understanding, wisdom and insight. After the gold is gone, with knowledge one can repeat the process and acquire more. But without knowledge, one only ends up spending all the gold and not know how to get more.

Love is how best to interrelate with others. Love is concern with the welfare of others. Jesus is our role model. He demonstrated that sacrificing oneself for others is the best way to express your love. In modern vernacular, love means sacrificing something of the self to add value in the other person’s life.

When knowledge becomes the means of self-aggrandizement, one has lost their way. Likewise, when love becomes self-centered, one has misplaced love’s aim.

The purpose to gain knowledge is not for ego building or to make one feel important. But how can one best serve others. If love likewise turns inward, it is no longer love, but selfish vain glory.

So, Paul demonstrates here in regards to the fallacy of offering food to idols. Your brother may be ignorant of the subject. He has no knowledge of the matter. Don’t stone him. Instead use your knowledge to share the truth in a way that builds up the other rather than devour them. It is not simple to do. Our human tenancy is to blur out the truth like a heavy weight fighter throwing a punch in a world boxing match. Rather we need to learn like Jesus to balance compassion with the truth.

Love and truth best move together hand-in-hand for the Christ-follower. So does knowledge and love best move together hand-in-hand. Some of us find the path naturally easy. The rest of us need to ask the Holy Spirit teach us how best to approach the situation.

Yes, life is a learning process preparing you and me for eternity with Jesus. Each day we get to practice how best to apply the knowledge we gain into the lives of others with love. Every day we get opportunities to share the truth with others. Over time we will come to learn one important fact. People really don’t care how much you know. They really want to know if you truly care for them.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Divine Knowledge

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods, he holds judgment:   Ps. 82:1

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For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

The Bible speaks about another dimension. A spiritual one. One where God resides with other spirits. Within this dimension, God sits in the midst with other gods. His council.

Our forefathers believed in a spiritual dimension. One that impacts the physical world we live in. But today, like back then, people only accept what they can see and touch. They disregard any higher dimension with powers greater than what is known.

Jesus though believed in the supernatural. HE spoke highly of HIS heavenly Father. HE manifested through HIS good works the fruit of that relationship. HE was a super rabbi of his time. HE strongly taught and interpreted Scripture with authority. HE introduced HIS kingly role to the people. HIS government was not of this world. HIS divine knowledge and wisdom opened the eyes of the people.

There is more going on in this world than what the human eye sees. There are spiritual forces impacting everyday life. There are domains led by spiritual beings who seek to destroy God’s plan for humanity. There are powers at work behind the scene terrorizing people. Fear and hate are negative consequences of their efforts. Mental anxiety and worry are fruits of their deception. Yet Jesus foreknew their plans.

HE gave us the Sermon on the Mount to mentally prepare us for the enemy. HE introduced us to the Holy Spirit. HE equipped us with spiritual armor. HE incentivized us with the heavenly vision and purpose of life. HE comforted us with assurance HE is always with us. HE emphasized the importance of continual communications through prayer. The ability to ask, seek, and knock on HIS door with immediate access. HE has made himself, HIS Father, and Holy Spirit available at moment’s notice.

All this and more becomes ours as we open our eyes in belief. We pursue a relationship with HIM. We grow in HIS grace and knowledge. As we do, a whole new world opens up. The potential possibilities that lay before us become overwhelming with delight. We kneel in awesome amazement. Our world becomes more align with the Creator’s vision for humanity. The more we hang out with the Divine, the more we capture a way of life that is more abundant than everyday survival. As our desires align with the Triune God’s character, the more we experience life the way HE created life to be.

Yes, there is knowledge that God reveals to us that science and philosophy can’t quite capture. The knowledge of how to live life to the fullest. The way our Triune God created life to be.   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Knowledge Trap

Dr. Mike 2022 , ,

1 Corinthians 13:2,8

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing…love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away…

What values are important to God?

The Bible outlines many good and outstanding qualities to possess. Some are better than others depending on the situation and circumstances of life you are presently navigating through. Here the apostle Paul outlines a few that are dear to him and close to heart for others and puts them in their right place.

His list includes the gift of prophecy, understanding mysteries, faith, languages, and knowledge. His conclusion was that they shall all pass away except for one – Love.

The knowledge trap is thinking your I.Q. and the accumulation of all you know of God, the Bible, and any other subject is the utopia of life. Yes, knowledge may be your number one strength, but compared to God’s love, it leaves you empty.

He wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:1 that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” In Ephesians 3:19, “to know the love of Christ surpasses knowledge…”, and today’s Scripture he reminds us that “without love, I am nothing.” Yes, knowledge is one of the great gifts to possess, but it’s not the most important.

Knowledge is the foundation of any field of study. When you acquire knowledge on a subject, and then begin to understand all the interrelationships and applications, you slowly acquire the wisdom to make the knowledge beneficial in its use among yourself and others. Without knowledge, not much would ever get done.

Yet in comparison with God’s love, it is secondary. When the love of God enters your soul, and you can express that love to others, every other gift you possess, including knowledge, becomes more effective and alive as it touches the lives of others.

By itself, apart from love, knowledge stands alone, morbid, and empty, waiting for life to enter. But when color is added, along with enthusiasm, beauty, and meaningfulness unto the subject, not to impress others but for their true benefit, then knowledge becomes alive and valuable.  

Therefore, don’t throw away your thirst for knowledge. But instead, make love your number one treasure to pursue and acquire and share with others. Let knowledge be your gift for others standing on the foundation of love. Or as others have said before, let them know how much you care for them rather than how much you know. Let love lead your knowledge base for the sake of others and for the glory of God.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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