You must have heard of the saying, “Knowledge is Power” and this is very true. Take a game of chess, the winner is the one who not only knows how to play the game, but is also the one who knows what his opponent is thinking. Effective war strategists spend a lot of time learning about the enemy. To know of the other’s gameplan/strategy is very powerful. But we must also recognize that “the kind of power” is directly proportional to the “kind of knowledge” one has.
The book of Jude refers to those who have taken the grace of God as an unbounded license to live a sensual and self-satisfying selfish life, as brute beasts, who have not Spiritual knowledge, but natural knowledge. It goes on to counsel us that natural knowledge corrupts (Jude 1:10). Spiritual knowledge on the other hand corrects, cleanses and conforms us into the Image of Jesus Christ, our Savior. John 17:3 says that to Know Jesus is eternal life. Who is this Jesus? Jesus is revealed to those whom God, the Father wishes to reveal, (Matthew 16:17) and the Holy Spirit of God bears witness (Romans 8:16). Thus the knowing of Christ Jesus is Spiritual knowledge and when we know Him through His words, we will not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11); we will be cleansed of our wicked ways and we will know of His perfect character and conduct, that we need to conform to.
So, yes, Knowledge is Power, but the kind of Knowledge matters. Natural knowledge corrupts, while Spiritual knowledge, corrects, cleanses and conforms us to God’s image.
Jude 1:10 (KJV)
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
1 Corinthians 12:7-8 (KJV)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
