There is a great deal of knowledge and information crammed in my head. I am well educated, I am fairly well read, I have listened to a wide variety of podcasts, I have seen many documentaries and I have Facebook. What does it mean for us to have so much access to so much information? Is all information equal in value? Most of us would probably agree that much information is inferior, but what is our measure? Does all this knowledge make me wiser, more loving, or more prepared to meet Jesus?
Philippians 1:9-1 (ESV)
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Paul prayers several things for the Philippian believers. He asks for them to have precise, correct knowledge. He seeks discernment for them. Discernment to examine all things to find what is set apart from the commonplace and is better. The end result would be maturity.
There are several odd things about the culture in which we are currently immersed. We have access to so much really great information. New discoveries are being revealed at an unprecedented rate. The ability to broadcast all that we know and all that we think has never been easier. This creates the problem of information overload. This principle is not just true of science, history, health, etc. It is also true of religious subjects. We have access to a many great authors, many great preachers, more versions of the Bible than we will ever read, great study materials and as many false or irrelevant messages.
I would encourage you to take inventory of your information sources. You are not required to believe everything you hear or read. Not all information is true or good. All the good and accurate things you encounter are not of equal worth. Seek to develop good habits in your pursuit of knowledge. Seek God. Seek to be able to discern religious teaching and information. Look for the things that are true and better. Ask God for the skill to test all in a skillful way. Ask God for love, precise knowledge, and discernment. Our goal is to be prepared for the day of Christ and to be filled with the fruit of righteousness. All this comes by grace through Christ. Look for Him. Seek Him. Discern what is false, what is true, and what is best. All that is best should point to His love, mercy and grace.
Pray for yourself and for others this prayer of Paul for the Philippians.
This is my prayer for you……