Let’s begin by looking comparatively at two verses that speak of gaining knowledge. Proverbs 23:12 says, “Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.” 1 Corinthians 8:1, “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”

It is certainly true that the Lord wants us to have knowledge of Himself. Yet we are warned, that knowledge ‘puffeth up’ or causes the ego to grow. How are we to understand this? Knowledge of the Lord is a wonderful and beneficial thing, but knowledge without love for the Lord or His people, is just head knowledge and does not impact the heart. That is dangerous! Knowledge, just for knowledge’s sake, can have a negative impact on our lives. It can produce pride and self-righteousness. It’s only when we know the Lord Himself, that we can properly learn more about Him.

I trust that your desire to have more knowledge about God is because you want to know Him better. This is very honorable and the Lord delights to teach us about Himself. Proverbs 1:7 tells us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” The word ‘fear’ speaks of reverence, or deep respect of who God is. This fear of the Lord will lead us to put our faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. So, the starting place for knowledge is in knowing Him, reverencing Him, and trusting Him.

Let’s consider the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and LEARN OF ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” The Lord wants us to know more about Him personally. He desires to teach us precious truths about Himself. He wants us to KNOW HIM, to have more knowledge OF HIM. How do we learn more about Him? Let’s listen to the words of the Lord Jesus as He speaks in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures…they are they which testify of me.” We learn more about Him by reading His Word, the scriptures. To learn more about the Lord, we must become consistent Bible students. Everyone who has Christ as their savior has the capacity to understand the Word of God. King David prayed in Psalm 25:5, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” He thrust himself at the feet of His Lord and asked to be led and taught.

If you are saved, you have the Holy Spirit living within you (Romans 8:9-11). The Lord Jesus said of Him in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” The unsaved man cannot learn and understand precious truths reserved for those who know the Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” It is the Holy Spirit that takes the Word of God and reveals its truths to us as we study in dependence upon Him.

In Acts 17:11, we learn of the Bereans who “searched the scriptures daily.” This should be said of each of us…that we are in the Word of God each day, listening to the Lord as He speaks to us through His Word. When we pray and ask the Lord to “lead me in thy truth, and teach me”, He will work by His Spirit to open His Word to us as we read the scriptures. In asking the Lord to LEAD and TEACH us, we must have a willing heart to follow the truths of the scriptures as the Lord reveals them to us. (228.4)