To compare knowledge with dynamite is a realistic parable, for both can be used for advancement or destruction. A wise person learns how to use dynamite safely, while working to gain knowledge and use it wisely.
Dynamite is a highly potent and powerful tool, and when used responsibly can aid mankind. Increased knowledge, when used responsibly, empowers individuals and societies. It drives progress and solves complex problems.
Compare Knowledge and the Dynamite Revolutionise
Dynamite revolutionised many industries, making previously impossible tasks achievable. Increased knowledge drives advancements in science, technology, medicine, and numerous other fields. The wise use of both leads to innovation and progress.
The old saying was, “A little knowledge is dangerous”. Today, the sheer volume of knowledge is overwhelming. However, biased information is knowledge at its deadliest, just as is false and manipulated information.
With the advent of the Internet and ‘Google’, it becomes difficult to discern reality from truth. We still need to apply the Old Testament ruling of ‘In the mouth of two or three witnesses’, Deuteronomy 19:15. It is unwise to trust only a single source, yet even the weight of many voices saying the same thing, is not enough. The source needs to have proven credibility.
As news outlets often say, “We haven’t been able to verify this video, or information”. Eyewitnesses are still a valid source, though they may offer slightly differing aspects of the same incident. Their judgement is clouded by their own perception.
The World of AIs
The world of AIs can be beneficial in gathering vast amounts of knowledge in a matter of seconds. Why spend hours researching a subject, when you can ask AI, or Google for information, gathered in nanoseconds? However, you need to still test the validity of that information.
AIs have opened up an unstoppable ‘can-of-worms’. AIs have benefited humanity in numerous industries and sciences. To do away with AIs would be like saying we should return to the horse-and-buggy era, as automobiles kill humans.
Knowledge is the understanding of a subject through experience or education. It is quite different to information, which is data obtained from various sources. Those who would be intelligent and wise, with a discerning heart, seek knowledge, Proverbs 18:15. Knowledge doesn’t just drop into our lap, it has to be sought, just as how to handle dynamite safely is learned.
Days of Noah
They had expert knowledge in the days of Noah, for mankind lived for several centuries. Their accrued knowledge gave them no peace and stopped them hearing the voice of God. As surely as if they had flirted with dynamite, their end was total disaster. Their knowledge didn’t save them, or the next couple of generations. It was only around 250 years to the events of the Tower of Babel when man again came undone. Noah was still alive when God confounded their language, Genesis 11:7.
As in the Days of Noah, so shall it be when the Son of Man will come to call away His bride, Matthew 27:34. Only then will all hell break loose on earth, with the rise of the Antichrist.
The Clever Ones
Many of the brightest brains on earth are the ones who deny the power of God in their lives. They are too clever for all that ‘Christian stuff’. No one is cleverer than them, so they have no need for an omnipotent, all-powerful God. Man alone is top-dog in their world.
What a sad day it will be when they come face-to-face with the Almighty God, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom and instruction, Proverbs 1:7. Everyone has the option to believe the Bible is the Word of God, or reject it. It is ever an individual choice, for God gave us a free will.
Common Language
Today, we again commune with a common language through the Internet and television. We share knowledge on a global scale, never seen before.
The prophet Daniel wrote, concerning end times, ‘Many will run too-and-fro, and knowledge will increase’, Daniel 12:4. In 1945 it took 25 years for knowledge to double. Now it is estimated to double every 12 hours, or less.
Solomon and Knowledge
Wisdom and knowledge should go hand in hand. Solomon, who asked for the gift of wisdom wrote, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning knowledge’, Proverbs 1:7.
However, Solomon’s life proves that knowledge alone is not enough, for he made some dire decisions. He collected gold, horses and women, in disobedience to the Word of God, Deuteronomy 17:16,17. King Solomon was greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom, 1 Kings 10:23-25. Yet, gathering gold led to pride, horses led to war, and foreign wives turned his heart away from God, 1Kings 10:26 – 11:3. It was the beginning of the downfall of the Israeli empire.
Then you read Proverbs and Lamentations and find that Solomon’s heart was heavy, for all his wisdom, achievements and amassing of a fortune, ‘Vanity of vanities. All is vanity,’ Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:1-11. There is gold, and an abundance of jewels, but the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing, Proverbs 20:15. All knowledge and understanding comes from God, Proverbs 2:6.
Gaining Knowledge is a Process
Gaining knowledge is a progression. First you gained the knowledge of how to walk, then you learned how to run. You needed to know two plus two equals four, long before you could embrace algebra. Knowledge is not only cumulative, it grows exponentially. As it increases and grows larger, it develops more quickly and become easier to attain.
So, it is in the spiritual world. As you seek out knowledge, it becomes line upon line and precept upon precept, Isaiah 28:13. Knowledge builds on itself, for the more you know, the more you want to know.
However, being an ‘expert’ can become an impediment if not used wisely. No one enjoys trying to talk to a ‘know-it-all’. Our knowledge gathering and sharing needs to be balanced. Solomon knew what it was to have all that wisdom and knowledge and still go out of balance.
Lack of Knowledge
Man’s egotistical nature always leads him into trouble when he thirsts for knowledge for the wrong reasons. Lucifer, the most beautiful angel of all, thirsted to be like God and coveted God’s position, Isaiah 14:13,14. To have godlike knowledge was the temptation he dangled before Eve in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:4. It was knowledge that got Adam and Eve barred from their home, Genesis 3:22.
Lack of knowledge still destroys societies, Hosea 4:6. A lack of knowledge is just as dangerous as too much knowledge, wrongly used.
Compare Knowledge with Dynamite
Knowledge is a powerful tool, but used wrongly knowledge puffs up, while love builds ups, 1 Corinthians 8:1. The bibles reveals that knowledge can make you strong, when it contributes to personal growth and greater understanding, Proverbs 24:5, provided it is attained and used wisely. Otherwise, it is as dangerous as handing a stick of dynamite to a young child.
When you compare knowledge with dynamite, both can build up or tear down, but both have a purpose, if used in wise hands, with understanding. For the Christian, knowledge should always be checked against the Word of God. Christ embodies all knowledge, for in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3, and the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth, John 16:13-15.
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