Weekly Words with Brandon Moore: Access to Information ≠ Knowledge
On January 1st, 1983, the world entered a new era–an era driven by information. That day will forever be remembered as the day we turned the internet on and changed the way society operated. Sure, the change was slow, but change is happening more rapidly than we could have imagined lately.
Sociologists have called the era between 1983 and today the Information Age. The information age is defined as a society driven by technology and the rapid flow of information.
The information age has advanced on two parallel tracks. On one hand we have computer network systems (the internet) and on the other we have the rapid advancement of those computers.
The first computer was able to run calculations at 1000 calculations per second. Fast forward to today and we have a super computer (that runs ChatGPT) that can run 1 Quintillion calculations per second. Crazy!
But it’s not just that super computer. The computer in your pocket, if you have an iPhone 16 Pro or newer, can run 35 Trillion calculations per second.
These two tracks–the internet and the technology that internet runs on–is designed to do one thing very well:
Get you information.
Because of this, we think we are the most knowledgeable society to have ever lived. But we need to make an important distinction here and it’s a distinction the Bible also makes.
Having true knowledge is not the same as having access to information.
Just because we have access to information does not mean we automatically have knowledge.
If you’re over 30 you probably know this–
Having access to running shoes does not guarantee you’ll be a runner. Nor does having access to a gym guarantee you’ll go to that gym!
True knowledge is not the same as having access to knowledge and information.
The type of knowledge Peter is referring to in 2 Peter 1:5 is leans more closely towards wisdom. Wisdom is not access to knowledge, it’s knowledge applied.
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge…”
–2 Peter 1:5
The word there for knowledge is the greek word gnosis which communicates a deeper, more advanced knowledge and understanding; aka, wisdom.
So how do we grow in this type of knowledge?
We sit under the Bible, filled with the Holy Spirit, and we live obediently to God’s Word. Here’s the simple formula:
Bible + The Spirit + Our Obedience = Knowledge (Wisdom) Growth
If you feel stuck in your faith, here are a few questions to ponder:
Are you reading the Bible?
If not, it’s going to be hard to grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Do you have the Spirit of God?
We receive God’s Spirit when we trust Jesus for salvation. He makes us new and gives us His Spirit to teach us all the truth and how to walk with Him. If you have not trusted Christ for salvation, you do not have the Holy Spirit and it will be impossible for you to grow Spiritually because you’re dead spiritually.
Are you asking the Spirit of God for help in understanding?
Let’s say you have trusted Christ and you know you have God’s Spirit with you. Are you asking Him for help at all? Do you invite the Spirit of God into your Bible reading time? Do you ask Him for understanding and revelation? If every good thing comes from above, then the only way you and I will be able to do a good thing and grow in wisdom is if God Himself helps us.
Are you being obedient?
Finally, are you being obedient in the areas God is speaking to you? What is the last thing He told you to do from His Word? Did you do it? If not, you’re putting a cap on how much you can grow in knowledge of Him. Willful disobedience to God is this: God is still moving forward and we’ve decided we didn’t want to go with Him.
God has a lot for you. Let Him help you through His Spirit!
Have a great week,
Brandon Moore