(Written by Dr.
Rudi Swanepoel)
- The reverent and worshipful
fear of the Lord is the beginning
and the principal and choice part of
knowledge [its starting point and
its essence]; but fools despise
skillful and godly Wisdom,
instruction, and discipline.
- Proverbs 1:7 AMP
Life is a quest for knowledge. We have
been made with a built-in need to explore,
find out and gain knowledge. We love secrets
only if were can know them. We want to know
what happens in life. We tune into news
agencies to be knowledgeable. People will do
just about anything to satisfy their hunger
for sweet morsels of gossip.
Knowledge is rewarded both monetarily and
educationally. We are paid for what we know
and earn degrees and graduation certificates
based on our knowledge. Some people know a
little about everything. They have a wealth
of general knowledge. Some know a lot about
just one thing and they specialize in it.
There is a variety of ways to gain
knowledge. Unfortunately we sometimes gain
our knowledge in ways that are arduous and
flawed, while dismissing God’s more optimal
approach.
Ways to gain knowledge
1. Reason, Rational and Logic
This is the main form of gaining knowledge
in today's educational system. It is however
not the best way. The teachers are active in
teaching their subjects while the students
are passive in receiving knowledge. Students
are challenged to run all facts through a
framework of reason, rational and logic.
Everything must be explained, understood and
categorized. Knowledge is thus build upon
the reason and logic of others regardless of
their values, success and wisdom. A new
highly skeptical and faithless generation of
people is emerging with much arrogance and
pride with more questions than answers. The
simple truth is that God’s ways are not our
ways. His thoughts are not on the same level
as ours. The notion of having to be able to
explain all things through reason, rational
and logic is noting less than hiding our
inabilities behind arrogance and pride. When
will we learn to simply say: “I do not
know”? Instead of trying to conjure up some
rational explanation for what seems
illogical and falls beyond the sphere of
reason.
2. Discovery and Experience
Another way to gain knowledge is through
discovery and experience. This method is
time consuming. It allows students to err
until knowledge is gained. Many times they
become disillusioned and cynical because of
all the blunders they’ve made. Left to find
their own way they are lost in a labyrinth
of choices that more often lead to defeat
than success, misery than fulfillment,
frustration than joy. What would we do 20
years ago if we had access to what we knew
today? How many mistakes would be
eliminated? Hurts healed? If we gain
knowledge solely through experience we
should prepare for a life of amazing
knowledge in a season well past our prime!
We can and should effect the next generation
long before that!
3. Revelation and Relationship
The best and Biblical way to gain knowledge
is through revelation and relationship.
Throughout the pages of the Bible we see
this method of God teaching His people.
Jesus imparted knowledge to His disciples
through teaching, demonstrating and
activating what He taught. Paul said:
“Imitate me as I imitate God.” In other
words: “Do what I do and you'll accomplish
the works of God.” According to the Bible,
knowledge starts with a fear (heartfelt
respect) of God. Scripturally knowledge
means “to know”. It sometimes means to
approve of and take delight in (Ps 1:6; Rom.
8:29); to cherish (John 10:27); to
experience (Eph 3:19). The term “to know”
also frequently denotes sexual intercourse
(Gen. 4:1)
We know in part. (1 Cor. 13:9) But we have
access to an all knowing God. Instead of
studying creation alone, we can know the
Creator Who wrote the original blueprints of
all things. The Bible says that the
knowledge of the Lord shall “fill all the
earth”.
Will you settle for the meager, earthly and
mundane knowledge that produces the wisdom
of this world? Or will you dare to take the
step up to revelational and relational
knowledge the Lord alone can share?
Ignorance is not bliss. Lack of knowledge
scripturally implies distance from the Lord.
A revealing God shares amazing stuff with
those willing to know Him; to discover and
explore His being. God understands the most
complex criteria of the universe. Think what
He can reveal to you concerning your
destiny, job situation, family predicament
or loved one crisis. Friend you do not need
mere facts, nor understanding in mundane
things. You need relationship with God! The
knowledge He'll impart to you through
revelation and relationship will allow you
to rise far above where logic, reason and
experience could ever get you in life.
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