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It Is Dangerous to Think That Because We know a Thing, We Are That Thing
There is a danger in the quest for biblical knowledge and the acquisition of that knowledge as the basis for spiritual maturity. Paul Tripp answers: “Clearly, it’s dangerous to think that because I know a thing, I am that thing. Because I have communicated an idea, I have submitted myself to that idea, and I can live in the context of that idea.”
Knowing, reading, meditating, and memorizing scripture is critical to growing as a Christian. That is not in question. The question is: “By doing those spiritual practices, am I necessarily a mature Christian?” Many Christians would describe spiritual maturity in terms of either how long you have been a follower of Jesus or how much of the Bible you know. It is fair to say that we can’t be mature as Christians without being in God’s word, but does simply knowing God’s word make us mature? It doesn’t! Knowing something and being something are two different things.
Biblical Knowledge Doesn’t Equal Spiritual Maturity
A danger occurs when Bible trivia knowledge is considered a prerequisite to maturity. The scripture is clear that listening to and learning from something in the Bible is not the same as applying what we know and putting it into action.
James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James warns us that we can deceive ourselves by equating biblical knowledge with spiritual maturity. Beware of this danger: The acquisition of biblical knowledge does not equal spiritual maturity. Paul Tripp warns us, “You can be theologically astute and be dramatically, spiritually immature.”
Tripp goes on to say that, “The idea that I am okay because I have mastered this body of truth is very, very dangerous. Really what I should be asking is to what degree has my life been mastered by this body of truth.”
You cannot equate theological knowledge with a level of maturity. Tripp tells the story of how he could have been more loving toward his wife as she dealt with a serious medical condition. Theologically-speaking, he knew the right answers on how to treat her during her time of need. Practically-speaking, he didn’t live in a spiritually mature way in that instance with his wife.
Spiritual Maturity Is Knowing God’s Word and Doing God’s Word
Hearing and doing what we know is a sign of spiritual maturity. Knowledge of God’s word is important but it is only half of the equation. The other half is doing what we know God says. We may have heard the quote, “Most Christians are educated far beyond their level of obedience.” Listen to what James says:
James 1:25 (ESV) But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
God is not pleased with people who simply know the Bible, he is pleased with people who do what the Bible says. That is the mark of true maturity.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Why do you think it is dangerous to think that because you know a thing, you are that thing?
- Give some descriptions of spiritual maturity you have heard through the years.
- Explain why you think spiritual knowledge doesn’t equal spiritual maturity.
- Read James 1:22 Why do you think we deceive ourselves by equating simply knowing the Bible to maturity?
- If spiritual maturity involves both knowing and doing God’s word how does that change your view of maturity?
- Read James 1:25 and share examples of people you know who both know and do God’s Word.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
