Knowledge Puffs Up




 

“KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP.” (1Cor8:1)

 

The term “puffs up” comes from a word also translated: to inflate and make PROUD.

Literal meaning: “to inflate by blowing”

Figurative word picture: “swelled up like an egotistical person

spewing out arrogant (“puffed-up) thoughts

 

 

Francis Bacon (1651-1626), considered the father of empiricism and modern science, taught that by acquiring knowledge… and understanding the natural world…  humans could gain control over it and harness its resources for THEIR BENEFIT…

(other humans included in those “resources”)

He proclaimed, “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!”

 

 

“…in the last days… men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,

BOASTERS, PROUD… HEADSTRONG, HAUGHTY,

lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT DENYING ITS POWER.”

[Apparently, they will have all of the principles down… know all the RIGHT answers…have a FORM of godliness…

But the result of operating by prideful KNOWLEDGE: THERE IS NO POWER!]

“…ever learning but never coming to the KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH” (2Tim3:1-7)

 

 

The Greek word used in the New Testament to describe a person who is PROUD, ARROGANT, OR HAUGHTY also conveys a sense of self-exaltation and an attitude of superiority OVER OTHERS.

 

 

Eccl7:16AMPC “…why should you [GET PUFFED UP and] destroy yourself [with presumptuous self-sufficiency], attempting to appear over-wise?”

 

Life isn't about getting – nor giving – KNOWLEDGE.

That is operating by the Tree of The KNOWLEDGE of Good and Evil.                    

…and there is only one fruit on that tree: DEATH.

 

 

Should we impart KNOWLEDGE… or SPIRIT AND LIFE? (Jn6:63)

We are often sidetracked sharing WHAT we know, rather than WHO.

 

 

Pr2:1-6NKJV “…For the LORD gives wisdom; FROM HIS MOUTH COME KNOWLEDGE and understanding;”

So…  the LORD says, “hear the word at MY MOUTH and give them warning FROM ME.” (Eze3:17)

 

 

Going back to 1Cor8:1 where we started… "KNOWLEDGE puffs up…”

Then Paul completes that thought with: “…but LOVE builds up.”

 

KNOWLEDGE by itself puffs YOU up… creating an egotistical sense of self-importance (ie, since I have the KNOWLEDGE, I hold the POWER.)


But LOVE BUILDS UP… it edifies… it lifts… it gives importance and significance to everyone with whom it has contact. It sees OTHERS as more important than themselves. (Phi2:3)

 

 

1Cor13:1-2AMP “…if I… understand all mysteries, and [possess] ALL KNOWLEDGE… but do not have LOVE [reaching out to others], I am nothing.”

 

 

So… KNOWLEDGE puffs YOU up…

                                    …But love BUILDS UP OTHERS.


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