I Don't Know It All

"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing

yet as he ought to know.". 1 Corinthians 8:2.

There was a time when I would hear 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 preached from the pulpit and thought the pastor was criticizing and speaking directly about me. I didn't realize it was the living Word of God, sharp and powerful, doing its work of conviction within my heart (Hebrews 4:12). Back then, I had a serious need to be right. I truly believed I knew some stuff and was always looking for an opportunity to prove it—to tell others what I knew, rather than sharing it in a spirit of humility.

Although I don't believe I tried to flaunt what I knew nor was my intentions to put others down but whenever the opportunity arose, I was ready to tell what I knew. Then when someone else would share, if I allowed them to get a word in, (smile) I would immediately say, “I already know that”. 

It’s said that, “Oddly enough, it's the person who knows everything who has the most to learn.”

In 1 Corinthians 8, some Corinthian believers were arrogantly asserting their freedom to eat food sacrificed to idols, looking down on those with weaker consciences who still believed it was wrong. While Paul agreed that idols were powerless and the meat was harmless, his main concern was for the weaker believers. His ultimate desire was not to be right, but for those believers to be freed from their false conviction, rather than being a stumbling block to their faith.

The Corinthian believers, like anyone given a revelation from God, were at risk of being "puffed up" by pride. If we let pride puff us up, the Word says we are not acting in love. Pride focuses on building ourselves up instead of sharing the Word in a way that helps others grow in their knowledge of God. This is why a servant of the Lord must be gentle and not prone to arguing (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Even Paul, who was given abundant revelations from God, was given a "thorn in the flesh" to prevent him from becoming prideful (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Although painful, I loved what the Lord shared with me when I began to study this word in 1Corinthians8:1-3 the (Living Translation), 

He said to me, Denise, “...although being a know it all makes us feel important, what is really needed to build the church is love. If anyone thinks he knows all the answers he is showing his ignorance but the person who truly loves God is the one who is open to God's knowledge.” 

You can't receive more of God's knowledge if you're not open to it. How can He share with you when you believe you already know? This is why I love my pastor’s saying: “What you know, God told you. What you have, God gave it to you. And where you’ve got to go, God has to take you.”

When we approach Him with an open heart, acknowledging that every truth is a gift from Him, we make room for Him to share more of His divine wisdom.

As I repented and worked to resist pride, God began to reveal more of Himself to me. I'm not where I want to be yet, and I'm still striving, but I'm so thankful I'm not where I used to be! I now humbly listen and allow others to share. I'm receptive to both positive and negative criticism and I truly understand what it means to be careful to give God all the glory, honor, and praise.

Today ________________ (insert your name) resist the opportunity to say I know. Remain in a state of always growing into the knowledge of God. Don't let yourself or Satan place a cap on you in pride, limiting what God is ready and willing to give you. His knowledge and understanding is unsearchable Isaiah 40:28, yet as you seek to know Him, and come with a heart to serve Him by serving others, He gives you more.

Today's Prayer

I pray the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.  I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.

Thank you Father for looking beyond our faults and always seeing our needs.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

(Now make it personal)

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