Knowledge Puffs Up

"Save Yourselves From This Corrupt Generation"

By William M. Self, Sr.

The puffer fish inflates itself to look intimidating

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

The man who thinks he knows something

does not yet know as he ought to know.

But the man who loves God is known by God.”

1 Corinthians 8:2-3

Knowledge Puffs Up

My granddaughter Kylii has a salt water aquarium.

In her tank, she has some interesting fish.

One of them is called a puffer fish.

This egg shaped fish when frightened can inflate itself.

When inflated, the puffer becomes twice its size

and pointed spines stand up all over its body.

Some people are like the puffer fish.

When you talk to them about God, they inflate.

They have a big head.

  

They quote scripture and like to look impressive.

Or, they try to intimidate with their knowledge.

We all possess knowledge.

“But the person who thinks he knows something”

“Does not know what he ought to know”

“Knowledge puffs up” … “But love builds up”

Knowledge is important.

 Howard Hendricks says…

“Stop learning you will stop living.”

Our knowledge of God and what He has created

and done should make us more humble.

It should fill our hearts with appreciation.

This appreciation should produce love.

Quoting scripture may show

you know about God…

But it does not show you know God.

To know God is to know love,

because God is love.

The Pharisees knew God,

but God did not know them.

 

 The important thing is not what

you know, but who you know.

Remember knowledge is not for gaining

facts, but it is to gain a relationship…

A loving relationship with God

and all He has created.

Don’t let your knowledge get

in the way of being known…

“The man who loves God is known by God.” 

 

Scripture Reading

Acts 2:37-47 NIV

 "Brothers, what shall we do?"

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call."

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Romans 1:28 NIV

Furthermore, since they did not think it

worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NIV

 Now about food sacrificed to idols:

We know that we all possess knowledge.

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

2 The man who thinks he knows something

does not yet know as he ought to know.

3 But the man who loves God is known by God.