Family of God: [FamilyofGod] Knowlege Puffs Up But Love Builds Up

And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." 1st Corinthians 8:2

The courage to speak the truth as we see it, is one thing, but many of us have confused being convicted of the Holy Spirit with the idea that the Holy Spirit gave us exactly what we believe and that it must therefore be accurate beyond all changeability or challenging.

The Holy Spirit convicts us of the knowledge of our sinful and unholy state, and thus of the great mercy of God in, John 3:16 "giving his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Having been convicted in our spirit by the Holy Spirit, we then demonstrate that conviction by repenting of and turning around and away from our dead works, walking in a newness of life by way of the example set for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1st Peter 2:21-25 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

Illustrating what our growth process is like, Paul said, 1st Corinthians 13: 8b-12 "whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

How could it be that knowledge shall "vanish away"? Paul already told us! What did Paul earlier in his writing say? "if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." 1st Corinthians 8:2

What we call knowledge is not nearly what it ought to be. What we think we know is certainly nothing to get puffed up about to the point that we take quick offense when others have difficulty seeing quite the way we do. This was Paul's point, 1st Corinthians 8:1b "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." And, further impressing his point he went on to say, 1st Corinthians 8:11 "And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?"

In part (a) of 1st Corinthians 8:1, Paul said, "Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge." There are things we are pretty sure about. Did God give us that knowledge to use as a club upon weaker ones, ones who may be yet struggling to connect fully with the Holy spirit. Perhaps they have not learned to fully empty themselves as of yet, and give the needed room to the Holy Spirit to assist them in their learning.

Do you, the one claiming to have knowledge and who yet hold what you think is righteous indignation toward those disagreeing with you (rationalizing as if the Lord needs you as his defender, imagining that these ones are insulting God), do you know what it means to empty yourself?
Take out your Bible and an Exhaustive Concordance and look at all the things that "fill" a man up, or that a man can be "full" of, or "filled with", crowding out the "empty" space that allows true spiritual craving and thus yields place to the Holy Spirit to do it's work.