The importance of Knowledge


What do you know for sure?  Are you really sure?

How do you “Know” that what you know is true?

Is there a relationship between truth and knowledge?

If you believe something to be true, you have the knowledge to support that belief.

How important is knowledge?


“Knowledge is power” is a common saying.

Society rewards those who possess great knowledge. We see that in the universities and in the workplace, and in our paycheck.

The church years ago would quote Hos. 4:6…My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Great emphasis was given concerning the building up of bible knowledge. Many responded by committing to an extensive study of the scriptures.

We highly esteem those who have extensive knowledge both in the intellectual realm and in the biblical realm. We honor them sometimes beyond what is appropriate. Not simply respecting them for their achievements, but placing them up on a pedestal that is unrealistic thereby setting us up for great disappointment when we finally see that they are only human.

We spend a lifetime acquiring knowledge and then we die. Ecc. says there is no knowledge in the grave where you are going.

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


Some have vanity and pride from having extensive knowledge in various disciplines of study. In the scientific arena, intimidation techniques are used to intellectually bully others. This could stem from a desire to be respected and admired. Or it could be from insecurities and low self-image. In any case we are all susceptible to intellectual vanity. The academic world has within it many competing for the highest awards and recognitions of scholastic achievements. The world we live in places an exaggerated value towards higher education as compared to those who have committed themselves to promote excellence in the community.

What about the ability to debate effectively and dominate your opponent with facts, logic, reason and philosophical arguments?

Do pride and arrogance take root in the mind of those who are skilled apologists? Irrefutable argumentation and intellectual intimidation are common in the world of apologetics (William Lane Craig, Ravi Zacharias). Knowledge is good when it’s true, but the results are counterproductive when it’s used to humiliate or degrade. (1Cor. 13:2)

This is something we need to guard against. Read 1Cor. 1: Professing to be wise they became fools.

1 Cor 1:17-2:5













29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.



Chapter 2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech (Fine Oration like Orson Wells. Like a grand display of knowledge.) or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.





Someone I know wrote this prayer about knowledge. Listen, and test the words of this prayer.


“A Prayer for Knowledge”—————–Allen Turner 3/25/16


My Holy Father, we need knowledge, but more than that we need to love one another.

Knowledge is good but love is better, it covers many sins, and the love of God passes knowledge. Love is the best gift of all. Love is the sign that we are your children. Love is better than knowledge. Eph.3:19 1Pet. 4:8 Jn. 13:35 1Cor. 13:2 & 13

Knowledge can be academic or technical but a tender heart is better than knowledge, tenderness provides intimacy, closeness, and mercy. Being tender boosts compassion and sacrifice. Tenderheartedness is better than knowledge. Eph. 4:32 Ps.145:9

Knowledge is sometimes power, but grace makes life worth living. Grace establishes our hearts. A gracious person reflects You and your Son. Without grace we are all condemned. Graciousness is better than knowledge. Heb.13:9 Eph.2:8 Nu. 6:25

Knowledge can bless the one who has it, but hope is required for vision and spiritual health. In our time of dying hope is with us. Hope is an anchor of the soul. Hope feeds a positive outlook and strengthens endurance. Hope is better than knowledge. Heb. 6:19 Prov. 14:32

Knowledge can help us with reason and logic, but faith is essential for salvation. Without faith it is impossible to please you. Faith keeps us grounded and settled. Faith gives us confidence, assurance, and courage. Faith is better than knowledge. Heb. 11:6 Col.1:23 Heb.10:22

Knowledge is the information we need, but without wisdom, we cannot use knowledge properly. Wisdom preserves us, promotes us, and provides the honor, safety, and long life. Wisdom is more precious than gold or gemstones. Wisdom is better than knowledge. Prov. 4:5-9 Job 28:12-28

Father, please give me a good measure of knowledge but more than that, let me grow in the fruits of your spirit so that I can serve your people abundantly and glorify you. Fruits are much better than knowledge. Gal.5:22 Jn. 15:8

Let me grow in graciousness towards others so that I will truly be your son. Let me be a partaker of your “Divine Nature” as it is written in your word. And please help me to use knowledge properly, according to your will, knowing its value is limited (Pun). A divine nature is much better than knowledge. 2Peter 1:4-8



In the ancient world, the common people had very little access to knowledge, yet many remained faithful to the end.

On the other hand, today we live in the information age, an age where knowledge is increasing exponentially. We must be very careful not to place an undeserved value on acquiring more and more knowledge.


Also, we need to be careful to not feel intimidated or small or inferior when in the presence of those who have attained much knowledge, whether it be academic or spiritual.

Matt. 23:23 Knowledge of physical requirements can lead to not taking care of the most important matters, the weighty matters.

Warnings against the knowledge of science and genealogies. Endless debates.