For many years, I bumped heads with an older male relative of mine. He disparaged formal education and I couldn’t get enough of it. His demeanor was rough and ruddy, mine was heady and pompous. He was common, I was uncommon. We were both too proud to admit our faults.
It took me a long time to realize the source of our problems were these two things: Pride and knowledge.
Both of us were proud. That in itself is a catastrophe on four wheels. But my down-to-earth older relative was certain that the only things in life he needed to learn were those things he could learn by doing, preferably on his own. If it involved reading a book, sitting in a classroom, or hearing someone else give instruction on a topic, that was of low value. If any value at all.
And he loved to talk. About anything. About everything. Often getting key facts wrong. It drove me crazy.
And that led to bigger problems.
If I had taken to heart Proverbs 12:23, we may have gotten along better. This proverb reads:
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
Wait a minute! Isn’t knowledge something to be shared? Why would anyone keep something so valuable to themselves? If it’s true knowledge, it should be spread like manure on a farmer’s field. Yes?
No.
Why Knowledge Must Be Concealed
In Matthew 7:6, right after he said “do not judge, or you will be judged,” Jesus said to those who were still listening,
Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
Ouch!
For years, I bore the scars from trampling and being torn to pieces at the hand of someone close to me. The pain was excruciating. But when I discovered the principle of concealed knowledge, that made a HUGE difference in my life. I was happier, healthier, and way more satisfied with myself, my relationships, and my overall well-being. In essence, a big weight was lifted off my shoulders.
The primary reason Jesus spoke in parables was so that certain people would not understand what he was saying. His message was not always for the masses. It was for those who wanted it, and those who wanted it would understand it, seek further understanding, or ask for an interpretation.
Knowledge is holy. All knowledge, not just some of it. From the arts to history and from theology to science, all bodies of knowledge was meant for someone but not for everyone. For that reason, those who acquire knowledge on any subject must be careful with whom they share that knowledge. Spiritual knowledge, in particular, can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Just as God hid the mystery of the gospel in Jesus Christ until it was time to be revealed so that His manifold wisdom should be made known to rulers and authorities in heavenly realms, an individual with knowledge shouldn’t go about sharing that knowledge with anyone and everyone they meet. Rather, she should hold it in concealment to be revealed only to those who will treat it with the respect it deserves. When the time is right.
Otherwise, we’ll all become fools proclaiming our folly.
Allen Taylor is the author of I Am Not the King.