“…Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”
1st Corinthians 8:1

One of the biggest problems facing this generation is what is called ‘too know’ in Nigeria local parlance. In the past, it was the University lecturers and professors who had this problem, but now that we have the internet, everyone feels very wise. Knowledge is good, but you must be careful that it does not make you puffed up. When something is puffed up, it is difficult to get anything into it because it is already full of air. One who feels he has a lot of knowledge may not be able to acquire more. If you feel like you know all about computers for example, when someone comes to teach about them, you would have the tendency to ignore the fellow. No matter how much knowledge you have, your disposition should still be that of someone who knows nothing.

Several times, I have been under ministrations where the fellow ministering did so from a Bible passage that I know well, yet I learnt something new from it. A wise philosopher once said “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.”

The phrase ‘Knowledge puffeth up’ means that the knowledgeable is often proud. God hates pride. James 4:6 says that God resists the proud. To resist means to push against the enemy. When someone is teaching, and you begin to correct the fellow in your heart, watch out: pride has set in. You are calling for God’s resistance.

Lastly, ‘Knowledge puffeth up’ can also mean that the knowledgeable is so swollen up, that he goes about boasting. As we can see from Romans 1:22, some, in professing themselves to be wise, become fools. There is no wisdom in being talkative. Wise people talk only when necessary.

Get as much knowledge as you can, but never get puffed up. Just like 1 Corinthians 8:2 says, no matter how much you know, never think that you know all.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.