“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

Knowledge! The 20^th century saw the word as a replacement for God. And many of those who loved the Lord did not escape the clutches of that powerful force – “knowledge.” Webster defines knowledge as ‘the act, fact, or state of knowing…all that has been perceived or grasped by the mind.”

But the question remains: knowing what? There is a human knowledge, much of it useful in life, which leads to diplomas, degrees and doctorates. But without that supernatural knowledge that comes from faith in God, human knowledge can be destructive because it takes the place of God. That’s why Paul stated that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (I Corinthians 8:1)

Today’s professors would appear as kindergartners in the face of Solomon’s knowledge. But the wisest of men knew that unless the reverential fear of the Lord was the foundation of life, the house of knowledge would be of no eternal value and would ultimately disintegrate. That’s why God tells us that virtue must precede knowledge, and temperance self-control) must follow. (2 Peter 1:5-7) The glory of God – not the glory of self – must be the motivation behind all learning.

While it is true that today’s Church is worldly smart with the best educated pastor, full circle ministries and highest available technology, we are often spiritually dumb as deception reigns supreme concerning the attributes of real knowledge in morals, in priorities (knowledge of the Word and energy put into the eternal), brevity of life, scriptural literacy, and humility that brings discernment and sound spiritual judgment.

A healthy fear of the Lord will keep your mind humble as you learn, and your courses and books in line with what God approves.

My prayer: “Father, Your Word proves that those who reverently feared You passed the test of life. I want that true knowledge that comes only from You.”

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras