Overrating Your Own Knowledge
In discussions with a young man about a particular sin – a sin that was directly affecting his life – he wrote: “From extensive study that I’ve conducted over the course of several years, I do not believe ______ is a sin but rather a matter of judgment . . .” To which the following response (in part) was sent: “You state that you have studied this subject over ‘several years’. So have I. So have many others - for many centuries. This is not a new topic awaiting our discovery.” As you might guess, little progress was made in changing the young man’s mind.
Please consider some of the implications of his claim:
1) He asserts that he has studied this ‘extensively’ and leaves the impression that others – especially those who disagree with him – have not studied the subject as thoroughly as he has. This young man has no way of knowing how much or how often others have researched any given topic. This is pretentious pride, and that’s a sin, too! (2 Timothy 3:2). The apostle Paul says that a person can be “proud” while “knowing nothing” (1 Timothy 6:4).
2) He seems to suggest that others – including all those who have devoted their whole lives to the study of the Scriptures – have apparently not uncovered the truth that he now possesses. Maybe, but not likely! Lots of true scholars have dug deeply into the Word. Many faithful brethren have diligently searched out the truths of God’s revelation. Any notion that we have come across something previously unknown is arrogant and unrealistic.
3) It is quite clear that he has become fully convinced – at least in his own mind – that he has the truth on this subject and that his actions are acceptable to God. But we are warned about the hazards of “deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). Rationalizing to justify our own conduct is a danger to us all. Be careful!
We hope this young man will rethink this matter. But a basic change of heart is going to have to happen first.
In discussions with a young man about a particular sin – a sin that was directly affecting his life – he wrote: “From extensive study that I’ve conducted over the course of several years, I do not believe ______ is a sin but rather a matter of judgment . . .” To which the following response (in part) was sent: “You state that you have studied this subject over ‘several years’. So have I. So have many others - for many centuries. This is not a new topic awaiting our discovery.” As you might guess, little progress was made in changing the young man’s mind.
Please consider some of the implications of his claim:
1) He asserts that he has studied this ‘extensively’ and leaves the impression that others – especially those who disagree with him – have not studied the subject as thoroughly as he has. This young man has no way of knowing how much or how often others have researched any given topic. This is pretentious pride, and that’s a sin, too! (2 Timothy 3:2). The apostle Paul says that a person can be “proud” while “knowing nothing” (1 Timothy 6:4).
2) He seems to suggest that others – including all those who have devoted their whole lives to the study of the Scriptures – have apparently not uncovered the truth that he now possesses. Maybe, but not likely! Lots of true scholars have dug deeply into the Word. Many faithful brethren have diligently searched out the truths of God’s revelation. Any notion that we have come across something previously unknown is arrogant and unrealistic.
3) It is quite clear that he has become fully convinced – at least in his own mind – that he has the truth on this subject and that his actions are acceptable to God. But we are warned about the hazards of “deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). Rationalizing to justify our own conduct is a danger to us all. Be careful!
We hope this young man will rethink this matter. But a basic change of heart is going to have to happen first.
- by Greg Gwin
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