You Must Know

Hosea 4:1–11 NIV84

1 Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. 2 There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. 3 Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying. 4 “But let no man bring a charge, let no man accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest. 5 You stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother— 6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. 7 The more the priests increased, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful. 8 They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness. 9 And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. 10 “They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not increase, because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves 11 to prostitution, to old wine and new, which take away the understanding

I heard the Lord say, “The realignment has started. I will be shaking the trees, that which does not belong will fall away, that which remains will bear much fruit. The realignment will bring pain but pain will not last. I am doing a quick work.”

True knowledge is based on justified true belief, while fake knowledge is often deliberately deceptive and spread for political, economic, or entertainment purposes

True knowledge is a belief that is both true and warranted, while false knowledge is a belief that is false or unwarranted:

True knowledge A belief that is both true and warranted is considered knowledge. For example, if someone believes the sky is blue, and it is actually blue, then that person has true knowledge.

False knowledge A belief that is false or unwarranted is not considered knowledge. For example, if someone believes the sky is purple, when it is actually blue, then that person does not have knowledge.

Unwarranted true beliefs These are lucky guesses or coincidences that are not considered knowledge.

Unwarranted false beliefs These are unsupported claims or wishes that are not true and are not considered knowledge.

The difference between true knowledge and ignorant knowledge can be explored through the idea that gaining knowledge can reveal more ignorance, and that ignorance can be a raw material for knowledge.

Here are some ways to consider the difference between true knowledge and ignorant knowledge:

The extent of ignorance The Chinese philosopher Confucius said, "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance". This quote suggests that as you learn more, you realize there is more to learn, and that you are more ignorant than you thought.

Ignorance as a raw material Ignorance can be a raw material for knowledge, and knowledge can be a raw material for future ignorance. As answers and questions change over time, so does the accumulation of knowledge and ignorance.

Degrees of ignorance Ignorance can be a degreed notion, meaning that someone can be slightly, quite, or completely ignorant.

Not knowing by choice Not knowing by choice or circumstance doesn't necessarily mean that someone is unable to learn or know.

The ethics of belief Socrates' philosophy emphasized the importance of pursuing knowledge and recognizing one's own ignorance. This can be seen as a commitment to making informed and justified beliefs

1. God is the source of true knowledge

Proverbs 2:6 “6 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

When we recognize God as the source of all wisdom, we tap into an infinite wellspring of truth that guides our every decision.

A. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge

Proverbs 1:7 “7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

A reverent awe of God opens our hearts to receive His wisdom, leading to a life of discernment and spiritual growth.

B. The Holy Spirit illuminates God’s Word in our hearts

John 16:13 “13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

The Holy Spirit illuminates God's Word in our hearts, enabling us to understand and apply divine wisdom in our daily lives.

C. Knowledge empowers you for right living

Colossians 1:9–10 “9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,”

2. Lack of knowledge leads to destruction

Hosea 4:6 “6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”

A. Spiritual Decay

Hosea 4:1–2 “1 Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. 2 There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.”

B. Moral Corruption

Hosea 4:8 “8 They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness.”

C. Divine Judgment

Hosea 4:9 “9 And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.”

Acts 5:27–29 “27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”

3. We are transformed through knowledge

A. Transformation begins in the Mind

Romans 12:2 “2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

As we apply God's knowledge, our thought patterns change, aligning more closely with His will and purposes.

B. Our Spiritual Growth comes through the knowledge of Jesus our Lord and Savior

2 Peter 3:18 “18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Applied knowledge fuels our spiritual maturity, deepening our relationship with Christ and strengthening our faith.

C. God’s wisdom equips us to make choices that honor Him

Philippians 1:9–10 “9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,”

God's wisdom equips us to make choices that honor Him and benefit others, navigating life's complexities with clarity.

4. The path to true knowledge

A. Seek God Diligently

Proverbs 2:3–5 “3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

B. Study the Word of God

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

C. Apply knowledge in your daily life

James 1:22 “22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”