Knowledge
2 Peter 1:5-8 (Click on any Bible link in this article and you may choose to read the verses from other translations)
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. –New International Version (NIV 1984)
When we begin our faith walk with Christ and if we are serious about pleasing God, we will set out to gain knowledge and understanding of God and his Word. A search of several Bible translations of this verse revealed that some translations used the word “understanding” in place of “knowledge.”
As I searched for scriptures containing the word “knowledge” I found that most of them referred to the knowledge of God or the knowledge of Christ. Yet in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve broke God’s one rule to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In one situation the knowledge leads us to a greater understanding of God; but in the case of Adam and Eve, they ate in rebellion against God. In so doing they discovered not only knowledge of good, but also knowledge of evil.
Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:20-21 saying “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.”
Knowledge used for good blesses many, while knowledge applied to evil purposes cause pain and suffering for many. Knowledge at its best brings us wisdom. Proverbs 9:10-18 begins “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” For greater understanding read the whole passage.
It follows that to gain the kind of knowledge God desires for us, we should spend time reading from the Bible, God’s Word. In John 8:31-32 Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Read Paul’s powerful prayer for the Colossians in Colossians 1:9-14. Notice that the first and key request for the Colossians was that God would fill them “with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
In Philippians 3:7-11 Paul says “…I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” Again, reading the extended passage offers greater depth and understanding.
Not only has God supplied us with his written Word in the Bible, he also gave us the Holy Spirit as a teacher to help us to understand it. See John 14:26.
God promises to all that if we will seek him with all our hearts we will find him. Jeremiah 29:13 The book of James also tells us to ask God for wisdom and he will give it, but we must ask believing we will receive. Read James 1:5-8.
Enjoy “Thy Word” by Amy Grant (with lyrics) The scripture reference that inspired this song is Psalm 119:105
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
The Creation by Janice D. Green
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