I CORINTHIANS 8:1-3: “Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Do I have a teachable heart? Am I positioned to learn each day from the Lord and from others? Or do I feel that my knowledge and positions are superior to others and that they should be listening to me?

The background of the opening verses from 1 Corinthians, chapter 8, is Paul dealing with Corinthian believers who were using their knowledge to live in such a way that they were becoming a stumbling block to the spiritual growth of others.

Most of the Corinthian believers had come out of a lifestyle of paganism and idol worship. It was common practice to eat the meat that was sacrificed to idols. There were some believers, knowing that idols do not really exist, after their conversion to Christ, decided that it was within their prerogative to eat whenever and whatever they wanted, including meat that had been sacrificed to idols.

On the other hand, there were weaker believers who did not have this strong conviction of faith, who were being offended and even tempted to fall back into their old way of life by the actions of these believers who justified themselves through the knowledge they possessed. Paul needed to address this quickly and forcefully!

First, Paul reminds them (and us) that it is always about love! Knowledge puffs up, generates a false sense of superiority, and can create an atmosphere of insensitivity to the needs of others. Whereas, love always lays down one’s own perrogatives to serve the needs of others. Love always aims at building up others in their faith and the expression of this faith.

Second, Paul gives us a foundational truth for all believers. He says, “And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” The great Apostle Paul, who studied under Gamaliel, who met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, tells us that none of us knows anything fully. We are all in a constant state of learning and development. Paul repeats this truth in his letter to the Philippians.

Philippians 3:10-14: “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” NLT

Paul, near the end of his life, honestly proclaimed, “No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on one thing…I press on to reach the end of the race…” In other words, Paul remained humble, with a teachable heart, and desired to remain as such, until he stood before Jesus and finally would know as he had been known!

When I am tempted to argue with someone, I do not have a teachable heart. When I feel my knowledge gives me license to do whatever I want, regardless of the feelings of others, I do not have a teachable heart. When I refuse to receive teaching from someone new in the faith just because they are not as experienced as I am, I do not have a teachable heart.

The greatest quality needed in a disciple of Jesus Christ is a teachable heart!

When we have a teachable heart, we will always put love before knowledge. When we have a teachable heart, we will always be open to receiving new insight from even the smallest child. When we have a teachable heart, we will be humbled by what we do not know rather than puffed up by what we do know. When we have a teachable heart, we will become a fruitful ground for the Holy Spirit to cultivate His fruit in and through our lives.

Heavenly Father, give me a teachable heart! Forgive me when my knowledge has become a matter of pride or a stumbling block to someone’s faith. Let me lay down my knowledge at the foot of the cross and clothe me in Your great love. Let the fruit of Your Spirit be allowed to grow freely and be freely directed for the benefit of others.

In Jesus’ Name!