Knowledge Alone Is Arrogance

[S] 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 --
 ¹Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge.  Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.

[O] Any one of us can retain knowledge because it is freely available to us to grab with respect to our own capacity.  We cannot live without having any knowledge so as verse 1 says, we all have knowledge.  The question is what do we do with the knowledge we retain?  Some things come to mine are: work towards success; solve problems; learn new skills; earn more money; and in some cases to hurt others.  And isn't it true that knowledge alone only provides a subjective view depending on how it is interpreted or used?  For example, knowledge of someone's weakness can cause one to take advantage of it, or to assist that person to overcome it.  However, knowledge in addition to love almost always will result in edification.  So in my previous example, it will lead to assisting in overcoming the weakness and to build up that person.

Many times we see this discrepancy between Jesus and the Pharisees.  They both have the knowledge of the same situation, but Jesus responds with warmth and loving embracing of the situation while the Pharisees take advantage of that to meet their goals and needs in the name of worshiping God.

[A] Especially doing ministry at church, I need to be careful of the TMI (too much information) because it may make me arrogant and manipulative of others.  I need to always mix the love of Jesus which covers all people in all situations.  Before processing any of the knowledge I gained, I need to make sure it is countered by God's love which overflows out of my heart based on my daily dose of meditating on His word.

[P] Dear God, I need Your love in my heart which can balance the knowledge in my mind/brain so that I would be edifying those around me at all times.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.