IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE HIGHLY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND YET REMAIN IGNORANT OF THE TRUTH?

Paul thought so as he observed the religious practices of his day. They are “always learning and

never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (II Timothy 3:7)

That being the case, let me suggest three reasons as to how this is possible:

1. We are learning too much.

Information overload.

Because knowledge spells power and survival, we are continually packing our minds

with new information and knowledge. We err, however, if we assume the Holy One will

be known in such fashion.

Spiritual truth is revealed to us by the Spirit in moments of quiet and unhurried reflec-

tion and contemplation. The seeming slowness of that process is often difficult for us to

accept, especially if we are conditioned to stuffing in knowledge through condensed

articles, tapes, and other forms of “mini” information bites.

2. We are learning the wrong “stuff.”

Much of what we learn lies outside the boundaries of God’s intended knowledge for us,

thus polluting the inner springs of our soul.

“I want you to be wise in that which is good, and innocent in what is evil.” (Romans 16:19b)

3. We are hindered in our learning by our pride.

In their blinding arrogance, the Jews and Greeks demanded of God that He package His

truth through the medium of attesting miracles and human wisdom:

“For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom.” (I Corinthians 1:22)

In response, however, to their obdurate conceit, God reminded them that He would

only be known through humility and brokenness:

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become

foolish (literally: a “moron”) that he may become wise.” (I Corinthians 3:18b)

So today, if you sense you are lacking in your knowledge of the God of truth, it may be

well to reassess what you are learning and how.