November 30, 2017. I Corinthians 5-8

In Order. Knowledge

“Knowledge is power.” – Sir Francis Bacon

You hear this quote a lot throughout life and many take this quote to heart and live it out.  Although it may be true in some cases there are times where knowledge is not everything. 

In 1 Corinthinians, Paul touches on knowledge.

8:1-3

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.

Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.

But whoever loves God is known by God.

How does knowledge affect you? How does knowledge affect you around other Christians? Are you so knowledgeable that you forget to love those who may not have the same intellect? Do you think your knowledge of something makes you better than someone else?

Knowledge may be power but power is what is used to break someone down.  Power means “the capacity or ability to direct influence the behavior of others or the course of events.”  As a Christian you cannot have knowledge without love. 

You can have all the knowledge about the Bible but without love how do you use that knowledge?

8:9-12

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights do not become a stumbling block to the weak.

For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?

So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.

When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

Be aware of how your knowledge affects your actions, and how your actions affect those around you.  People are watching you and looking to you for your guidance.