1 CORINTHIANS 8
Now concerningfood offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. – 1 Corinthians 8:1-6
1 CORINTHIANS 8 KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP BUT LOVE BUILDS UP
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Be watchful if knowledge is something you seek regularly
You can be puffed up and make you proud of yourself
Seek only the knowledge that comes from God’s word
It is the only wisdom that makes you overcome this world
God wants you to walk in love and instead think of others
It will give God glory and praise if you do this to one another.
Paul cautions the Corinthian church of the downside of seeking too much knowledge. He says that it makes a man puffed up with pride when they obsess about knowledge. Why do you think he warns them not to be so consumed by it? When we seek too much knowledge, it usually is to appear superior or much better than others. We can easily think we are right and others are wrong or we can be obsessed with our reputation for knowing more than others. Comparisons set in and then we marginalize those who do not live up to our standards. We become presumptuous and assume that people will look up to and respect us because of such knowledge that we have. So, one desire to look accomplished turns into more discrimination over others or a competitiveness against others. We believe in ourselves and go against being “loving.” We become impartial to those who have different views than ours. It brings about “idolatry” in us wherein we are the gods ourselves. It doesn’t give God glory when we do this.
REFLECTION
· How is wisdom different from knowledge? How does knowledge make us proud?
