Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God. -1 Corinthians 8:1-2
This passage is for those of you who grew up in the church and think you already know everything there is to know about Christianity. This section of the Apostle Paul’s letter is about spiritual pride—thinking you’re right with God because you know more about the Bible or that you’ve been in church for most of your life.
The Apostle Paul here warns about the dangers of thinking you’re a Christian know-it-all. It’s easy to use your knowledge to tear down someone or to condemn them so that you can feel spiritually superior. That’s what Paul means when he said that “knowledge puffs up.” Instead, we ought to use our spiritual knowledge in a loving manner.
When I was a young Christian in college, there were a lot of worldly things that I didn’t know was wrong because I was never a part of Christian culture growing up. My older brothers and sisters in Christ could have said, “How could you do this or that?” They could have condemned me, but they didn’t. Instead, they patiently and lovingly taught me what the Bible says about the sinful lifestyle that I was living. They walked with me even as I struggled with sinful habits. And that made all the difference in the world.
Truth can be used as a weapon to beat someone with it, or truth can be used as medicine to heal someone with it. How are you using truth?
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