About Knowledge and Love

"Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." 1 Cor. 8:1

We like to know things, to soak up the information and make sure that others know what we know. This is what knowledge is for, right ? It was meant to be shared with others. Knowledge in itself it is not wrong. It is something good and desirable. We were made to grow and develop, to know more and more. In the beginning of the book of Proverbs we are told that the book was written to give "to the young man knowledge and discretion". So, we have a book of the Bible that was written especially to give us knowledge.

Remember when God appeared to Solomon and told him to ask whatever he wants from Him? What does Solomon ask from God? Knowledge and wisdom. God does not rebuke him for asking for the wrong thing. On the contrary, He is very proud of Solomon's request and praises him for asking for such a thing.

Than why does Paul say that knowledge puffs up when God praises Solomon for asking for knowledge? Paul explaines himself very clearly in 1 Corintiens 13,2: "If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge . . . , but have not love, I gain nothing". Knowledge is something good but only when it goes hand in hand with love. Knowledge without love leads to pride. For knowledge alone puffs up. But knowledge with love leads to humility. Knowledge without love leads to the lack of consideration for others. But when there is love, it leads to care.

We can use our knowledge to prove to others and to ourselves that we are not nobodies, that we are important. And we can use it for our self-advencement and advantage. It is obvious that love is not there.

We may know God, but if we do not love Him, we will have an intelectual faith, not a relationship with Him. Knowing and loving God is the key to a close and intimate relationship with Him. The same principle applies to the human relationships.

To know might or might not be a matter of choice, but to love is definitely something we need to choose to do. To choose to love inspite of what you know, that is real science. It is God's science. It is what we call unconditional love. And it is the only thing that can make a difference in someone's life.