By Ken Blue
“…Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” 1 Corinthians 8:1 .
I remember asking an older pastor, whom I respect very much, “How do you get wisdom?” He said, “I guess you just plead ignorance.” If we do that, and mean it, it opens our heart so God can teach us.
I am familiar with the passages in Proverbs and James on this subject, and I have tried to make them a habit in my life. However, I have met men who can quote the Bible backward, and it is evident that they are sadly in need of wisdom. What my pastor friend was telling me was that one must come to God with a spirit and attitude of personal ignorance before he can be taught wisdom.
The context of the above verse is not written to those who were ignorant of the Scriptures. They were ignorant of what was most important. They assumed that their knowledge of Scripture gave them liberty to ignore the weak, uninformed, and baby Christians who were not up to their level of “Bible knowledge. “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9.
[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…one must come to God with a spirit and attitude of personal ignorance…[/pullquote]
Knowledge is a dangerous thing, yes, even of the Bible, when it is in the hands of the foolish, or one who does not consider others. There are many passages in the Bible that are difficult to understand, but everyone understands when you love and care about them. If we will show the love of Christ to others first, they will open up their heart and mind so they become teachable.
How do you get wisdom? You go to God as a little child, and you admit your own ignorance. Then, you ask Him to help, lead, and guide you in the area of concern. Remember, your knowledge of the Scriptures does not mean you know how to rightly divide them, balance them, or apply them in the real world. “…Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” 1 Corinthians 8:1. May God grant all of that wisdom from above.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.