Knowledge Puffs Up

1Co 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1Co 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

You and I think that we are full of the knowledge of God's word? Perhaps not? the word says that knowledge puffs up. I can see this puffing when different churches cannot agree on certain teachings. Wisdom comes from God, we do not want to be puffed up one against another, where is God's Spirit in that? I am not saying that we should allow sins to be taught, but we can lighten up when judging someone when they seem to be doing something wrong. Is it definitely spelled out in scriptures? Again, we may know the word but lack Spiritual discernment.

Rom 2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Rom 2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

So the scripture says if you think you know anything, you know nothing yet as ye ought to know. I see in this a man's thoughts, leaving out the Spirit of God. It is His Spirit of truth that teaches us all truth, whatsoever Jesus has said.

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The measure of faith. The Spirit life is one of faith.

Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

So I good test of what we should do is to ask, is this of faith? If not, then don't do it. Finally we are to do all things from the Spirit of God's love. We know God through his love and his love is given to others. We are still doing what Jesus began, seeking to restore that which was lost, bringing people to Jesus Christ to escape the judgment the wrath of God for sins. Through Jesus we are loved by God. If we love God we are known of Him. Let him guide you by his spirit seeking his wisdom, by faith and the fellowship of his love.

Turn Back to God

Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

The LORD is speaking to Israel; hear me now: you are opposing my way. There is no truth or mercy in the land. God is truth, ignoring him and his commands and making our own truth is as to make ourselves as God. As we have received mercy we are to be merciful; but they were self centered, lustful and greedy. There was no knowledge of God in the land, they did not fear him, nor did they obey him. Knowledge of a person is to know them intimately, face to face.The LORD knew their ways but they did not know him.

One of the problems in a family is the enforcing of rules without a personal relationship. Eventually the children will rebel against the rules, "your religion", and you as a parent, because you did not get to know your children heart to heart. Whose fault is that? The children may be seeking the things of the world and hearing ungodly counsel from friends, school, the computer and other sources. The people of Israel were guilty of going after the gods of the nations around them. God is not to blame for their behavior or for our behavior. They turned from the God of their fathers. Are we as a nation any different? It is up to us to return to the truth of God. Repent, pray and learn of him before it is too late.God is not to blame, we shall be judged for our choices.

Hosea 4:2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
Hosea 4:3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

Because of their evil ways they would be judged. They would languish, become weak exhausted and droopy, as unfed beasts of the field; also the birds and the fish of the sea shall be taken away.

The gulf oil spill was as judgement from God on our nation.

Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Hosea 4:4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.

Sinners are always accusing others. People even blame God for their troubles. If they do not trust God, they will not trust his witness or his holy word.

Deu 17:12 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
Deu 17:13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.

Hosea 4:5 Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.

The false prophet shall fall, and thy mother Israel shall be destroyed.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Isa 5:13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

The priests had turned way from God's word and were filled with iniquity. If a people turns from God, he will turn from them. It is time for us as a nation to turn to God, before all is lost. He hears the prayers of his own people. We must be in prayer for our nation, our families and the people of God.