THE WAR AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
S.T. Understanding Its Importance
(Matthew 23:34-35 and Proverbs 1:27-29)
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Introduction
A group of people sat in a standard meeting, discussing issues relating to their church. The leader (a person who had a reputation for having knowledge) called the meeting to order. As issues were being discussed, a transformation took place. The meeting turned into a bashing session. Certain people attending the meeting began taking turns attacking the leader -- making statements with no credibility, no substance and no truth. Yet, they continued all the same.
While this was happening, the Lord led the leader not to stop them, but to take their statements in. As Jesus once stated, "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh". While they thought they were doing one thing, they were doing another. They were exposing their hearts -- showing their true colors.
As the leader continued to observe the rebellious discourses, an extremely astounding statement was made. One of the meeting's attendees, also a leader, made what has to be one of the most foolish statements ever made in church history. Before I share the statement, please keep in mind that the person under attack had not mistreated anyone. The person under attack was not carrying himself in a prideful manner. The person under attack hadn't abused his authority. The person under attack had never even remotely made any claims about his knowledge or wisdom. He had done absolutely nothing worthy of the treatment being received. The people held him in reputation. The attacking leader said, "Knowledge only benefits you!!!" She was downplaying (as the others were) the importance and value of the knowledge held by the person under attack.
Another person made a statement that was even more "new-agey" and stupid. He said (keep in mind that what these people were saying was unprovoked and not on the meeting's agenda), "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Remember, the leader under attack wasn't flaunting his knowledge. He was simply fulfilling his role and a pastor/teacher and feeding the people with knowledge and understanding -- reflecting the characteristics of a pastor according to God's heart (Jeremiah 3:15).
Both of these statements, as well as the actions of the people in the meeting, are representations of a phenomenon taking place in the church today. Notice that I didn't say Christendom this time. Christendom is the church world and includes people who aren't really saved, but have a form of godliness. The church includes those in the middle of that "circle" that have access to both the knowledge and power of the Lord (whether they're living in accordance with it or not).
The phenomenon is this. Yes, it's of old, actually existing during the days of the scriptures, but it has been rising in intensity over the last 10 years or so, becoming greatly intense in the last year. It's the WAR AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. While God's people are called to be knowledgeable, you'd never know that by looking at us. Ignorance is rampant. People don't know the scriptures. People don't base the authenticity of their testimony upon the authority of the scriptures. Many make little to no effort to acquire knowledge. What's even greater (and the epitome of the war against knowledge) is the heart manifested towards those that HAVE taken the time to acquire the knowledge of God -- being disrespectful and downright hateful.
These things ought not so to be. This message will highlight certain issues regarding knowledge. Please, please, please examine yourself in light of the truths you're about to read and govern yourselves accordingly, as the well-being of your soul is dependent upon your reaction.
The message will be split into two parts as time will not permit me to complete the message today (and it's too long for one week). Digest the definitions and we'll give you some meat next week.
The War Against the Knowledge of God — Vital Definitions
If we were on the TV show, Family Feud, and were asked to name a scripture that talked about "knowledge", the number one answer would probably be Hosea 4:6. It includes the PHRASE "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge". While people know this phrase, it's interesting to note that many don't know the entire verse (and aren't familiar with it) and definitely don't embody the warning contained in it. It is this mindset that fuels today's message.
God's people are without knowledge. As reflected by Hosea 4:6 and many other scriptures, such a state of being is hazardous to one's spiritual well-being. Even with this warning, as stated, ignorance is rampant among the church (and Christendom for that matter). Also, as stated, what's even worse is the heart that people have towards those that have the knowledge of God. While the scriptures encourage us to do such things as give double honor (respect) to those who labor in word and in doctrine, many are doing the opposite -- treating them as if they don't exist, giving honor to "Christian entertainers" and persecuting those who carry the knowledge.
Let's take a look at knowledge -- what it means, its importance and exhortations regarding it. It behooves us to make sure that we are not in violation of the word of God concerning any matters. If we're in order concerning the subject of knowledge, it will help us to be in order in other places as well.
First, what is knowledge? There are several definitions. They're definitely worth noting, too, as their are different types of knowledge and different aspects that we need to consider in order to be edified. For these definitions, instead of just using the Strong's dictionary and lexicon, we'll also use the Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains. All that means is that we'll use a dictionary offering greater detail. It'll be worth it, as you'll see:
- (Jeremiah 3:15) -- to know - through observation
and recognition (perception). Also translated "discern" or "comprehend" --
a knowledge with focus on moral qualities and its application.
- (Isaiah 28:9 -- "whom shall he teach knowledge....) -- The Strong's dictionary
provides the definition of "knowledge". Further investigation -- in the Strong's
Lexicon and in a Hebrew Dictionary of Semantic Domains -- reveals a tremendous
truth. In this passage, the word "knowledge" means "the knowledge of God".
It also means "information that implies wisdom and skill in judgment". Lastly,
it means "information about a person, with a focus on a relationship with
that person." That one was really yummy, wasn't it?!?
- (Luke 11:29) -- "Woe unto you lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of
knowledge.... -- Simply defined as "the act of knowing" (just having information).
This is the same word found in 1 Corinthians 8:1 which offers another scripture
oft quoted by those at war with knowledge -- KNOWLEDGE PUFFETH UP. Information
alone DOES inflate the ego, but coupled with wisdom (so you know what to
do with the knowledge that you have) it brings forth fruit. The naysayers
won't tell you that. They're ignorant themselves. They don't know. Hence,
they're blind (and leaders of the blind). Only a blind person insists on
being led by a blind person.
NOTE: This definition applies to several New Testament instances of knowledge, but it's connotation shouldn't be thought of as negative. For example, it also appears in 2 Corinthians 6:6 which encourages us to be an example in our "knowledge" (the information we have). Therefore, when a person is not an good example in the information they possess, they're frustrating the grace of God. We should all strive to be good examples in this area. If we're not pressing in this area, we won't be able to fulfill the call of the next definition.
- (2 Peter 1:8) -- "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." -- Definitions: 1) FULL DISCERNMENT!!!; 2) Precise and correct knowledge and 3) recognition. Second Peter 1:8 is a perfect example of the importance of knowledge and the difference between its types. You see, 2 Peter 1:5-7 says, "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge ; And to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. The knowledge in verse 6 is a different type of knowledge than the one discussed in verse 8. What's the message??? ONE CANNOT ATTAIN FULL AND PROPER DISCERNMENT WITHOUT FIRST HAVING THE PROPER INFORMATION TO BEGIN WITH.
That's it for today. Dwell on these definitions for now. Next week, we'll share the equivalent of a partial concordant study on the word "knowledge" and provide some exposition. In the meantime, ponder this closing statement that will help you not to be a victim of the war against knowledge -- WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, ONE HAS NO FUTURE IN OR WITH GOD!!! More? WITHOUT SUBMITTING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, ONE CANNOT BEAR FRUIT UNTO GOD AND THAT WHICH BEARS NO FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN AND CAST INTO THE FIRE!!! Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame (1 Corinthians 15:34).
In subsequent parts of this message, we'll explain the connection between the text listed with the title and what the Lord wants us to understand.
Until next time, keep the word and be blessed!
Remnant Online: Volume 6, Issue 15 -- The War Against the Knowledge
of God, Part 1
Copyright © 2002, CyberSaint/Scenario Ministries International
An outreach ministry of Remnant Christian Assembly, Inc. All rights reserved.
Feel free to reproduce for noncommercial purposes.
