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KNOWLEDGE PUFFETH UP "Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him." (I Cor. 8:1-3) As you can see, the passage presents a contrast: loving knowledge vs. loving God. A man who loves God first and knowledge second will be a humble man who uses his knowledge gracefully to edify others while being KNOWN as a man who loves God. A man who who loves knowledge more than God will become puffed-up with pride as he struts his knowledge and becomes known as a man who is stuck on himself and promotes himself instead of a man who loves God and just wants to help people with truth. This is where spiritual discernment is so important. Before following a preacher or teacher too closely, always ask the question, "Does this man love God, or does he love himself?" Too many Christians ignore that and just say, "Well, I learn a lot from him." Friend, you can learn a lot from the devil, but you shouldn't. The Bible says that it is KNOWN when a man loves God (I Cor. 8:3), so ask God regularly to direct you to men who love God and to direct you away from men who love themselves (II Tim. 3:2). Personally speaking, I can listen for hours to a man who loves God, because his message is anointed with a blend of truth, grace, love and wisdom that comes from God only. But I can't usually stomach over ten minutes of a man who loves himself, because the devil's fingerprints are all over his message, even when the message itself is true. If the devil can't stop the truth, then he will spoil it, and there's a long line of puffed-up preachers out there to help him do it. We should never cease to pray for wisdom. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)