Knowledge Without Understanding

1. Knowledge Without Understanding Colossians 1:9

2. Introduction • importance of knowledge cannot be overstated • foundational (2 Tim. 2:15)(1 Tim. 4:13-16) • however, knowledge by itself insufficient • knowledge without understanding (Col. 1:9) • knowledge without love (1 Cor. 8:1-2) • knowledge without discernment (Phil. 1:9) • without these additional characteristics, our faith becomes academic with no spiritual benefit

3. Unskilled in the Word • knowledge vs. understanding • though one “knows” Scripture, without ability to put knowledge to practical use, there is no fruit • understanding implies contemplation, familiarity, and skill in the Scriptures (Heb. 5:12-14)(Acts 17:11) • takes little time to give the right answer on questions being asked, but significantly more time to know “why”, that is, the reasoned defense of our answer (1 Pet. 3:15)(Acts 26:24-28) • what is lacking in many Christians? STUDY!

4. Unstable/Insecure Faith • without a solid grasp of why we believe what we believe, every new thing will shake our faith • doubt unnecessary (James 1:6-8) • if we have been convicted of the Scriptures validity, then what of man’s wisdom can stand against that?

5. I Study My Bible Like I Plow My Field A farmer explained: “I study my Bible like I plow my field. Oftentimes when I’m plowing or breaking new ground, my plow will get hung under a root, and if I’m going at a pretty good clip it will really jar me. But I don’t get mad and beat my mule and burn my plow. No, I just back up a little, ease over the root and get on with my plowing. Next time around I’ll probably hit that root again and it still shakes me up, but I don’t quit farming. I just back up, ease over the root and keep on working. Pretty soon I have hit that root so many times that it’s loose and the first thing you know I plow right through it and don’t even notice it. I’ve got it shook loose. That’s the way I study the Bible. When I come upon a hard passage, it might shake me up a little bit, but I don’t throw away my Bible and quit the Lord on that account. I just ease over it and keep on studying. The next time I read that passage I jar it a little bit more. I keep on doing this until finally, because of information that I have gathered from other parts of the Bible I am able to jar the passage loose. I understand it.”

6. Unstable/Insecure Faith • without a solid grasp of why we believe what we believe, every new thing will shake our faith • doubt unnecessary (James 1:6-8) • if we have been convicted of the Scriptures validity, then what of man’s wisdom can stand against that? • carried away by new false doctrines • without understanding, unprepared to face new issues, or new twists on old issues (Eph. 4:11-16) • will appear sound until the right doctrine comes along

7. Creed-Like Attitudes • knowledge puffs up (1 Cor. 8:1-2) • tendency to simplify concepts of faithfulness and soundness to a checklist of issues (Mt. 15:8-9) • labels applied without understanding • conservative/liberal is more than instrumental music and institutionalism, it is a measure of soberness on authority • sound church is more than one without a fellowship hall, it is one with an atmosphere of spiritual health and growth • neglect of some areas excused because we are not in error on certain issues like others are (1 Cor. 4:1-5)

8. Conclusion • knowledge of truth is absolutely necessary in the life of a Christian, but the glory must be Christ’s • is this so when our faith is based more on tradition than on an understanding of God’s inspired word? • if we apply our hearts to study and application of Scriptures, we can truly be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58)