KNOWLEDGE OF GOD - PART 3

Shortly after humankind’s first appearance, they acquired an insatiable appetite for Knowledge. But why? What was so significant about Knowledge that they felt they had to have it? And why do we still hunger for it today? Can that hunger ever be satisfied?

Perhaps we can learn some answers from humanities first couple.

Why did God warn Adam & Eve not to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil? Does God not want us to have Knowledge?

These are questions that have been asked since antiquity.

Today we will explore some answers.

What was behind God telling Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?

Let’s see if we can prove some things out, by asking some questions.

#1 Maybe God was concerned about them knowing right from wrong? They already knew it; Eve told the serpent they shouldn’t eat the fruit.

#2 Maybe they didn’t know of the cunningness of the serpent? When Adam named the animals, he knew the serpent was more cunning than any other animal. It was also confirmed again before the Fall. Gen 3:1

#3 Maybe the fruit was going to cause harm? Their disobedience made them sick, not the fruit. An upset soul is far worse than an upset stomach.

#4 Maybe God didn’t want them to have Knowledge? He just wanted to make sure they had understanding to go along with the knowledge.

Like a wise Proverb says, “in all your getting, get an understanding”, which refers to getting insight over/along with getting information.

Knowledge without Understanding is Inert Knowledge, it’s when you get information that you don’t know how, when, or where to use it.

Inert means inactive, of no significance. Not skillful.

Hear are some examples of Inert Knowledge; Memorization without Meaning, Quoting without Context, Misquoting because of Misinterpretation, Lying because of Laziness. None of these are good.                                                                                                                        

That’s why God didn’t want them to eat the fruit, they weren’t prepared.

Then the LORD God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!”

That’s why Gods heart was broken because he knew they weren’t ready.

Information without discernment can be deadly.

God didn’t want them to live forever in a state of blissful ignorance.

What Knowledge did Adam and Eve gain by eating the fruit?

·       v25 “they were not ashamed.” Afterwards, they learned shame.

·       They learned loneliness.

·       They learned guilt.

·       They learned what heartache felt like.

·       They learned what it meant to disappoint someone you love.

·       They learned what it felt like to be used.

·       They learned low self-esteem and depression.

·       They learned the importance of trusting/believing God.

·       They learned what Separated, Isolated, Nervous felt like. SIN

They received a lot of Knowledge that day. Just not the good kind, the helpful find.

They exchanged Intimacy with God for Information about God. Knowing someone is always better than knowing about them.

When they were asked, “Hath God said” …they should have answered, let’s go ask Him!

They got Natural Knowledge; but God wanted them to have Spiritual Knowledge. God always wants what’s best for us!

Spiritual Knowledge will always exceed Natural Knowledge.

So, God gave them/and us GRACE: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

Generations later the children of Israel weren’t satisfied with just GRACE. They wanted rules to follow, they wanted something they could boast about completing for competing, so He gave them the commandments knowing they would never be able to adhere to them.

They wanted the Law; maybe they were the first “Law-ers”

Those who perished in the wilderness didn’t have a Knowledge of God.

“Now all these things happened unto them for our examples; and they were written for our admonition” 1Corinthians 10

Here are some additional questions for your reflection

Why did Adam and Eve choose to eat from the forbidden tree / Tree of Knowledge over the Tree of Life?

What would have happened had they had chosen to eat from the Tree of Life instead?

It’s not that God doesn’t want us to have Knowledge. He just wants us to have it from the right source.

Our goal should be to learn how to get Spiritual Knowledge that’s how we will gain Knowledge of God.

It is only then shall our appetite for Knowledge be filled.

Our hunger for Knowledge can only be satisfied by the Divine, not by degrees!

This is a Thompson Truth