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1 Corinthians 8:1-3 – 1+1=2
Pride in knowledge is one of the most silly and subtle temptations in which Satan snares us. Silly because of what true knowledge is. Subtle because God commands and blesses knowledge. Superiority knowledge should never lead to superiority in attitude.
Let’s begin with the most basic form of knowledge: 1+1=2. Upon learning that, each child is applauded and rightfully pleased with his or herself. They are deemed smart which is better than dumb. Too often though, we stay pleased with ourselves in what we know. Too often, we look down on others because they do not know. In our eyes we become their spiritual superiors. How silly, how sad, and how self-condemning.
Unknown to children learning 1+1=2, they are stumbling upon even higher knowledge. Within this equation, there is the concept of “self-evident truth.” That is a phrase familiar to all who know the Declaration of Independence. Why does 1+1=2? Because it does! I guarantee you will not get far with the teacher if you argue, “Why isn’t 2 the same as 3?” We can use all the visual aids we want to prove it, but we are really simply illustrating what is self-evident. The conclusion that 1+1=2 is also an absolute truth. There is no rational way to make the sum 112. Because this is an absolute truth, many have called math the universal language. It transcends culture and even humanity. Beyond this absolute truth, there is built within this simple equation another concept, that of eternity. “One” is not a creation of man, it simply is. It exists despite the untaught not knowing, and therefore is independent of human thought. In fact, the numerical one is even part of the biblical description of God – “God is One.” Has God always been one? If so, then one is an eternal concept. Beyond even the eternality of numbers, is the concept of infinity. It is impossible to ever finish counting, because there is not a, and cannot be a, last number. You can always say, “plus one.” Self-evident and Absolute truth, eternality and infinity; all these wonderful truths and notions are based upon 1+1=2.
But back to pride and knowledge; in learning this mathematical equation, no one ever creates truth, self-evidence or absoluteness, eternality or infinity. In accepting this equation, we simply agree with what is already true and totally apart from ourselves. Knowledge then is agreeing with truth. I agree water is wet. I agree heat is hot. I agree that 1+1=2. Isn’t it silly to have pride in simply agreeing with what is true?
Spiritually, I know things, which simply means I agree with what God says. How silly and how subtle to take pride is simply agreeing with what is. What’s important is not how much I know, but that God knows me (1 Corinthians 8:1-3).
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