Growing up vs. Growing out
November 10th, 2008
Scripture:
“We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs us, but love builds up.” I Corinthians 8:1
Observation:
It’s interesting to me that both knowledge and love cause growth. The difference is one is healthy and the other is not.
It’s interesting to me that both knowledge and love cause growth. The difference is one is healthy and the other is not.
Application:
This reminds me when people say they have stopped growing up (vertically) and have started growing out (horizontally). One is healthy, the other can cause all kinds of problems and ultimately kill. I don’t think the scripture is saying that knowledge is a bad thing. I understand this to say that gorging myself full of knowledge will cause me to become prideful and swollen with myself, but growing in love will counter and balance out the other growth.
This reminds me when people say they have stopped growing up (vertically) and have started growing out (horizontally). One is healthy, the other can cause all kinds of problems and ultimately kill. I don’t think the scripture is saying that knowledge is a bad thing. I understand this to say that gorging myself full of knowledge will cause me to become prideful and swollen with myself, but growing in love will counter and balance out the other growth.
Prayer:
God, I desire for my life to be characterized by love. I don’t want to be a person who is swollen with pride about how much knowledge I possess, but one that serves and considers the interests of other as more important than those of myself. That’s a hard thing. Help me Jesus!
God, I desire for my life to be characterized by love. I don’t want to be a person who is swollen with pride about how much knowledge I possess, but one that serves and considers the interests of other as more important than those of myself. That’s a hard thing. Help me Jesus!
— Jason Elam, worship pastor
