“Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.” (Proverbs 13:16)
Would we know things as they really are; or, are we okay with thinking something is so, when it is not? Likewise, would we be known for who we really are; or, are we okay with others thinking we are something we are not?
Deception, whether in seeing or being seen, involves falsity. When it comes to others we can willingly choose to believe a lie about them. We don’t bother to get the facts; or know the whole story; or “dig deeper.” We are only too willing to believe a bit of gossip; judging after the seeing of our eye or the hearing of our ear. Do we want to know the truth; or, is it a convenient thing for us to think the worst? Perhaps, our story needs a villain.
We can call the good evil, but we can also call the evil good. There are times when we need to recognize a devil in our midst: “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (John 6:70) Are we allowing ourselves to be fooled when Satan transforms himself into an angel of light; or his ministers pretend to be ministers of righteousness? (2 Cor. 11:14,15) Sugar-coating evil is just as bad as condemning the just.
To deal with knowledge is to think soberly about all things. Only those who “love the truth” will be spared from the greatest deception of all. Those who have not been valiant for the truth will believe the lie that the Wicked One is to be worshipped (2 Thes. 2:1-12).
In our day, “truth is fallen in the street” (Isa. 59:14). People are only too willing to believe what they want to believe. But this is not a time to be sloppy with the truth. We cannot afford to have our “own truth.” To deal with knowledge is to see things the way God does. The Lord is the God of Truth, and He gives knowledge to those who love and fear Him.
Fools think they are smart; but are eventually found out. Be a truly wise person. Walk in the fear of God. Only then will you be “in the know.”
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)