1 Corinthians 8:1-2 Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

We see this played out constantly all around us on various levels, and truth be told, we are part of it. What makes it complicated is that there is such a thing as absolute truth, and we aren’t to let go of that for a moment. However, we must always speak the truth in love, and recognize that we have more to learn ourselves. (Ephesians 4:14) There is a world of difference between human knowledge and God’s truth. Even a cursory look at the history of science and medicine will turn up countless examples of things that were once firmly believed and taught, but which now seem totally absurd to us. A current, and currently controversial, example is the theory of evolution. It is held to blindly by many, and defended to the point of violence, despite gaping holes in what it does and doesn’t “explain.” However, attacking someone who holds to that theory doesn’t honor God or draw others to Him. Pointing out the logical inconsistencies in the theory is certainly valid, and remarkably easy to do, but attacking the person who holds to that theory runs afoul of what Paul says here. We may see the inconsistency and illogic of evolutionary theory, but that doesn’t mean we have all the answers to everything. We are to speak the truth in love, while acknowledging that there is far more that we don’t know than we do know. However, we are never to let go of the bedrock truths of the Gospel: the Creator of the universe loved us so much that He sent His Son to live and die as a human being, taking the penalty for our sins so that we might receive His righteousness and live eternally as children of God. (John 3:16)

As I am reminded often, I have lived much of my life in the sort of pride Paul is talking about here. I have used intellect as a shield and a weapon and have hurt many, to no one’s benefit. I must remember that no matter how absurd the position, the person holding it is valuable and loved by God. After all, I’ve held some absurd positions myself! I have full agreement with something C. S. Lewis said in The Great Divorce: when we get to heaven one thing we will discover is that we were all wrong somewhere. (I didn’t put that in quotes because I don’t remember his exact wording.) I have little patience with people who get immersed in various “end time” scenarios, because such scenarios can distract greatly from faithful living right now, but that doesn’t mean that the people themselves are any less valuable than I am. I know by painful experience that it is frighteningly easy to despise people, and that diminishes me more than it does them. I am to love them as God has loved me, leading them out of error when I can, but never in pride at my “superior knowledge.” I am to keep my own eyes on Christ (Hebrews 12:2) and seek to teach others to do the same, so that together we may reflect His glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Father, thank You for this powerful reminder. Help me live out the truth I know! May I be an open channel of Your love above all, not descending into pride of any sort but letting You build others up through me. May I be a faithful steward of the truth You have planted in me so that many may be set free, (John 8:32) for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!