'Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know' 1 Corinthians 8:2
We think of intelligence as a blessing, and knowledge as something which builds people up spiritually, but for many clever people it is a snare and and a blind path that leads them away from God just as they appear to be knowing most about him. Those of us who are of a more intellectual bent need to guard very carefully against the pride that Biblical study and knowledgeability can so easily lead to. It is the trap that Satan particularly sets for those to whom God has given gifts of learning and wisdom. It is a tragic irony when knowledge of the book which should guide people to God leads to their spiritual death but we can all too easily stop studying it to know God better but instead are simply feeding our self esteem. Instead of nourishing the soul it bloats up.
The always-helpful Matthew Henry says:
'There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. Much may be known, when nothing is known to good purpose. And those who think they know any thing, and grow vain thereon, are the least likely to make good use of their knowledge. Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring to sensuality.'
I was very struck by the last sentence. A wrongly-motivated acquisition of Biblical knowledge can be as dangerous for some people as the temptations of sex, money, ambition etc for other - and yet we warn Christians much about the latter but scarcely ever about the former. We particularly need to pray for well known ministers and bible teachers in this respect as it takes a great deal of grace to remain humble when large numbers follow you, read you and quote you. It has been the downfall of some great men.
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