Bo​az Baptist Chronicles

“[K]nowledge puffeth up.” (I Corinthians 8:1)

You might be asking... “Are you against knowledge, Brother Bob?”

No, in no way.

“Then, are you against BIBLE knowledge...?

No, I'm not.

What I'm against, though, is what God is against... “puff.” Look at the picture (above). All it makes you think about is "puff." It's all puffed up.

Christian, you have all this knowledge. Great. Like I said, I'm NOT against knowledge. I am wondering, though, what you are doing with it. In fact, I'd like to make that my first question. My first question to you is, “What are you doing with your knowledge of the scripture?” What are you doing with all the knowledge that God has given you? Did you get that knowledge to help OTHERS, or did you get it to just puff up. Are you a “swell” Christian? Are you "bloating," while you are "gloating" in what you know, or do you ask the Lord to help you assist others by presenting some truths from scripture as a means of ministering to them? In a word, what's your motive? Are you just showing off or are you honestly trying to help?

Oh, you don't have to answer to me, but I assure you that you will answer to God for how you used the talents that He gave you. Yes, I said “God.” Do you remember? God gave you those talents. Doesn't the scripture say “[W]hat hast thou that thou didst not receive...?” (I Corinthians 4:7) Paul goes on to say... “now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” Good question. That's what this article is about.

Now that we have established that I am NOT your judge, and you don't answer to me, I would like to tackle this subject from the standpoint of someone who loves knowledge (Genesis 3:5) and loves to learn.

To be honest with you, I watch. I look. I stare. That's just me. That's my nature. Ask anyone who knows me personally. Because I'm that way, I can attest to the fact that, over the course of the last six or seven years, I've watched some of you on Facebook post things that, in my opinion, didn't need to be posted. It looked like you posted some of those things just to show off your literary prowess or superior biblical knowledge skills. Again, I'm NOT your judge, but I'm looking; I'm watching.

Let me tell you something. Just because you have a little knowledge doesn't make you any better than others who might not have your abilities but are struggling to live good, clean lives for the Lord with what they know. Maybe you have forgotten that God in His grace imparted to you the ability to easily grasp things from scripture because He trusts you to help others. But, you, in your selfish vanity, think that it's all about YOU ...what YOU know ...how others perceive YOU.

Personally, I'm glad that you have the right doctrine. But, remember, it's not only about WHAT you teach, but WHY?

That can be summed up in one word. Motive.

Can I change the subject of Matthew six, one and two, hoping that it will help you see what I am saying? [I will put the change in brackets]...

1 Take heed that ye do not [show off your knowledge] before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest [teach knowledge], do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

To conclude, please, take a few minutes and think about what has been presented to you. While you do, consider Proverbs 21:2...

“Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”

Pastor Bob (Not pastoring today)