WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3
1 Corinthians 8:1-3
Matthew 11:25-26

“Knowledge puffeth up …”

HOW DO I STUDY GOD’S WORD?

The three rules for understanding theology are: “Humility, Humility, Humility” (Calvin). No man can understand spiritual things without the help of the Holy Spirit, for spiritual things must be “spiritually discerned” (1 Cor 2:14). If we desire to understand theology rightly, we must humble ourselves before God and His Word.

Alas, it is so easy for one who has been a professing Christian for some years to become full of himself. He may become presumptuous in his ways, thinking that he knows all things, forgetting that it is God who grants spiritual sight and understanding. He surmises in his own heart, “I’ve known God for so many years, and thus I am better than others. What more have I to know about God’s Word?” It is to such conceited individuals that Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:2: “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” We must never approach the study of God’s Word simply as an exercise to prove how knowledgeable we are. Such a self-centred and arrogant attitude dishonours God. Simply knowing the answers to questions set on paper is no proof of one’s spirituality. Rather, the proof of spiritual understanding and wisdom is seen in how a man responds to the various circumstances of life. In the case of the Corinthian Christians, their lack of spiritual maturity was seen in how they handled the issue of food offered to idols.

When we study God’s Word with the right attitude, it will lead us to see how great God is and how small we are. One who truly knows God’s Word will be humble before God and man. He will not be boasting about his knowledge, nor will he have a judgemental spirit against fellow brethren. The more he studies God’s Word, the more humble he will be. Always remember, “Head knowledge that puffs up without heart knowledge is a dangerous thing.”

THOUGHT: Do I have head knowledge or heart knowledge?
PRAYER: Father, grant me a teachable spirit, and not a proud heart.