The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 21:4 (HCSB)
4 The lamp that guides the wicked— haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—is sin.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 33:10-11 (HCSB)
10 The LORD frustrates the counsel of the nations; He thwarts the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.
The Word of God for encouragement:
1 Corinthians 8:1-6 (ESV)
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.
2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one."
5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"—
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
My observation:
In this passage we see the danger of knowledge when it is misused. The example of the problems in the church at Corinth demonstrates the high cost of the misuse of knowledge.
Paul commended the members of this church for having knowledge.
1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (ESV)
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—
Knowledge is a good thing, and when used properly it can build up people. However, if it is misused it can tear people down. Paul had to admonish them about the misuse of knowledge.
1 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV)
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the love of God for the dispossessed and the outcast. Father, you have demonstrated in your love for us that you love the unlovely.
Father God, I pray that you would stir up in your people love for others, and that we would temper our knowledge with love.
Father God, form us from the inside out with your love so that we would build up and not tear down one another. In Jesus name, Amen.
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1 Corinthians 1:2-3 (HCSB)
2 To God's church at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—⌊both⌋ their Lord and ours.
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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