Knowing how little we know is an essential preparation for learning. As Paul taught the Corinthians,
If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know (1Cor 8:2). M
People go through stages in life when they imagine that they know everything. Some young people, for example, think they know more than their parents and refuse their advice. Some older people have learned so much that they think there is little left to learn. Whether young or old, such people cannot become true learners or disciples. They are like cups already filled up to the brim—full of pride in their own “wisdom,” “knowledge,” and “education.” Who can pour anything into a cup that is already full? When they are full of themselves, they have no room for Christ. They feel no need to learn.
The person who seeks spiritual truth must see something else. As revealed by Ephesians 4, the cup of the sinner is full of futility, darkness, ignorance, and hardness of heart. The contents of this cup are more like filthy grease and oil. Worse than having no room for truth, they actually resist truth. Just as oil and water do not mix, so spiritual darkness and spiritual light cannot mix (2Cor 6:14; 1Pet 2:9; 1Jn 1:5).1 Even religious people with “a form of godliness” 2 may “oppose the truth” because they have “depraved minds” (2Tim 3:1-9).3 “Always learning,” they never come to a full knowledge of the truth (2Tim 3:7). How deep is human darkness! How devastating is our capacity for deception4—including self-deception!
… while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2Tim 3:13). M
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God… (1Cor 3:18-19). M
If we wish to be spiritual learners, then, we must begin by acknowledging two basic truths: first, how little we know; and second, how twisted human thinking is. By ourselves, we are both ignorant and polluted.
Are you ready to be turned upside down like a cup, and emptied of false ideas? Even then your old views may cling like sticky oil. Will you let Jesus keep on scouring away all that remains of foolish thinking? Then, like a cleaned cup, be open to receive all the wonderful truth that God wants to pour into you.5
1. R Light separate from darkness: Gen 1:18; Ex 14:20; Job 24:16; 26:10; Isa 5:20; La 3:2; Am 5:18,20; Lk 11:34-36; Jn 1:5; 3:19; 8:12; 12:35-36,46; Ac 26:18; Rom 13:12; 2Cor 6:14; 1Th 5:5; 1Pet 2:9; 1Jn 1:5
2. The context suggests that these people claim to be Christians; see 1Tim 1:20 with 2Tim 2:17-18; 3:5-9; 4:3-4 R People who work among believers or within the church to oppose truth: Mt 7:15-23; 24:10-12,24; Ac 8:18-23; 20:29-30; 1Tim 4:1-3; 2Tim 4:3-4; Tit 1:10; 2Pet 2:1-3,12-22; 1Jn 2:18-26; Jude 1:12,17-19; Rev 2:2,14-15,20-23
3. Corrupt minds: Rom 1:28; 1Tim 6:5; Tit 1:15 cf. Ac 28:27; Rom 8:5-7; Col 1:21; 2Cor 3:14; 4:4
4. R Deception: Ps 5:9; 12:2; 38:12; Pr 6:14; 26:24; Ecc 8:11; 9:3; Jer 3:10; 9:4-6; 9:8; 17:9; 49:16; Mt 24:5,11,24; Mk 7:21-22; Ac 5:1-11; Rom 1:28-31; 3:10-18; 16:18; 2Cor 11:3; Gal 6:3,7; 2Th 2:10; 1Tim 4:1; 2Tim 3:13; Jas 1:16,22; Rev 13:14; 20:8,10
5. Jas 1:21
Pictures:
- Pour out old ideas.
- Let God pour in His truth.