Proper Handling of the Knowledge of Truth

Knowledge is a body of learning that is gained over time. It typically comes with a diverse company of teachers. The apostle Paul became exuberant as he wrote, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways (Rom 11:33)!” He had received the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:39; 20:22; Acts 2:33, 38; 8:17), who was now teaching him a body of divinity (Jn 14:26). This is the true knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, who is the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24).

Every Christian, having been born again of God (Jn 3:1–8), by the Spirit (1 Pet 1:3), is also directed into the truth (Jn 16:13). Because Jesus Himself is the truth (Jn 14:6), the Christian’s learning experience is a growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). Grace is the work of God that gives us the very knowledge of the salvation that grace is working to accomplish (Eph 2:8–9). This is a sure work because God cannot fail to accomplish all His holy will (Eph 1:11; Phil 2:13).

Not all men have this knowledge (1 Cor 8:7), because not all have received the Spirit of truth (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9), because not all belong to Christ (Jn 10:26). Some are blinded in the mind, by the devil (2 Cor 4:4). Others are ever-learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7). Therefore, it behooves the church to do everything possible to make available the teachings of the prophets and apostles (Acts 2:42; Eph 2:20), so ignorance is not a party to sin (1 Cor 15:34).

When the Spirit of Christ indwells the believer (Rom 8:9, 11), He gives the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ (2 Cor 4:6). Like a sweet aroma, the knowledge of Christ manifests through believers, as a fragrance of life to some and death to others (2 Cor 2:14–15). Because there is such a contrast in the experience of Christ/truth, it is imperative that the motive, for preaching and teaching Him, is only love (1 Cor 13:2, 8).

Love and knowledge not linked, results in zeal without knowledge for some (Rom 10:2), and a puffed up spirit in others (1 Cor 8:1). Paul was gifted (1 Cor 13:2) and skilled in knowledge (2 Cor 11:6). What did he have, and what do you have that you did not receive from God? Therefore, it is prudent to walk in humility with this knowledge (Dan 4:37; Mic 6:8), especially as one matures to the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13).

Ignorance is not bliss, but pride is an abomination. Paul received a thorn in the flesh to help him stay humble (2 Cor 12:7). God’s grace is sufficient for us to abound in the knowledge of Christ (2 Cor 8:7; Phil 1:9), but it is also sufficient for humble maturation (Heb 12:4–11).

Everything we need for life and godliness comes through the true knowledge of Christ (2 Pet 1:3). The Bible aptly warns those who gain knowledge of God, but who willfully return to a sinful lifestyle (Heb 10:26), and the defilements of the world (2 Pet 2:20). The Christian must not love the world, nor the things of the world (1 Jn 2:15–17). Just as love and knowledge must be conjoined (1 Cor 13:2, 8), so knowledge and godliness must be yoked together (Titus 1:1; 2 Pet 1:3).

With the assurance of God’s love comes the assurance of one’s salvation (1 Jn 5:13). Grace and peace with God (2 Pet 1:2), manifested in genuine humility, brings a spirit of gentleness to the believer’s correction of others (2 Tim 2:25). This is essential because we are engaged against an enemy who spawns lies and everything opposed to God (Jn 8:44; 1 Thess 2:2; 2 Thess 2:4; 2 Tim 2:25). His knowledge is false (1 Tim 6:20). The devil is also in the business of contention and strife. We must fight the good fight, but with a different Spirit than the world.

For this reason, we pray together that love abounds along with real knowledge and discernment (Phil 1:9; Col 1:9). It is God the Father and God the Son, who send the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of Jesus Christ that we glean from the Bible (Eph 1:17).

Christian, it is God’s will for you to increase in the knowledge of God (Col 1:10). The true knowledge of God’s mystery is a rich treasure, a storehouse of understanding (Col 2:2). All of this belongs to the Christian, positioned in Christ (Col 1:13), where all the spiritual blessings are ours to enjoy (Eph 1:3). God desires that all the elect be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4).

Therefore, let us put on the new self, who is being renewed day by day into the likeness of the image of Christ (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 4:16). Let us be generous with this wealth entrusted to our stewardship. With prayers that do not cease (1 Thess 5:17), let us abound in the grace afforded to us, as the children of God (1 Jn 3:1, 10). With gentleness, godliness, humility, love, and this Word of knowledge, granted by the Spirit, let us give this knowledge to His people (Lk 1:77) that we may grow up together, perfected in unity (Jn 17:23), and preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3). This is the proper handling of the truth.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

October 21, 2022