“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” (1 Corinthians 3:18)
A little knowledge is not only a dangerous thing, it is a deceptive thing. When we think we know we no longer seek to find out. Why should we? We already have it.
Solomon gained his wisdom by acknowledging his ignorance. (1 Kings 3:7-9) A “know it all” seldom knows anything. We are called to be swift to hear and slow to speak. (James 1:19) What do we know? Nothing unless we have carefully taken the time to investigate a matter. We may think we know someone, especially those close to us, but not know them at all. We are content with our superficial knowledge; we’ve never really dug deeper.
How many people think they know God, or the Bible, when they are kidding themselves? God bemoaned that there was “no knowledge” of Him in the land. (Hosea 4:1) These were people who thought they were close to God and knew Him, but they knew Him far less than He wanted to be known. Their glory would be to intimately know and understand Him: “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” (Jer. 9:24)
To really know anyone or anything you have to be deeply curious – enough to diligently seek until you find. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13) Unless that is the way we are, we can very well go our whole lives deceiving ourselves about what we know.
Don’t pride yourself on your wisdom, understanding or knowledge. Become ignorant, and then get on the path of discovery.