Introduction to the Bible

Did you know California is home to the world’s largest, tallest, and oldest trees? The trunk of the first contains 52,500-cubic feet of wood, enough to produce 8.2 million books, which would overflow the libraries of any American university — with only five exceptions. That’s a lot of wood! The other two superlative California trees are 380 feet tall (think England’s famous Big Ben) and 5,069 years old (think 1,000 years before Genesis 12)

Some fun facts, but no real knowledge. Just like old phone books: A million facts, but nothing that would change your life.

In the Bible, “knowledge” refers to examples, truths, and commands that God wants us to know, believe, and heed. Remember the Garden of Eden? Lots of wonderful trees, but God said one was completely off-limits to Adam and Eve. God called it the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:9; Genesis 2:17).

“Good” knowledge is what God wants us to know, believe, and heed. “Evil” knowledge is what Satan wants us to know, believe, and heed. It didn’t start with Eve’s first bite. Instead, it started with everything the Serpent said— that Eve decided to believe.

What Knowledge Is Not

1. Real knowledge isn’t a list of boring facts. Instead, as stated above, it refers to examples, truths, and commands that God wants us to know, believe, and heed.2. Biblically, knowledge is not morally and ethically neutral. It’s either “good” or “evil.” That’s why the Apostle Paul says, “I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:19).

3. Knowledge is not source-less. Real knowledge always comes from God and His Word. So-called knowledge always comes from the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Never trust your heart, which is terribly deceptive in its own right (Jeremiah 17:9).

4. Knowledge is not harmless. The Devil’s so-called knowledge is designed to kill, steal, and destroy us (John 10:10). No wonder he loves to tell a truth, a half-truth, and a lie. Never fall for that trick. It’s as old as the Garden and often just as deadly. That’s why it’s so important to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).