Daniel 12:4b tells us that in the end times knowledge will increase and certainly it has by tremendous amount in our internet age. But our knowledge of things in this world can make us proud (1 Cor 8:1) or insensitive to the feelings of others. In the context of this verse, it talks about believers having the right knowledge of God but not displaying the virtue of God, which is love. Indeed, knowledge puffs up but love edifies.
The Bible tells us that the LORD gives wisdom and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding (Pr 2:6). The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Pr 1:7; 9:10). Who then is the wise and knowledgable person in this world of expanding knowledge? The Bible is clear in this regard. The wise person always include God in his/her thinking, preparing oneself not only for the here and now but also for the world to come.
We tend to equate wisdom with a high IQ or the ability to solve complex problems. Seldom do we equate it with humility, faith in God and service to mankind. The Bible's perspective is different. One who has neglected to cultivate and develop the mind of God is never called wise. To be wise then is to acknowledge God and trust Him (Pr 3:5-7). We can be wise in our own eyes, but then that would not win the favour of God. The paths that we travel along would not be straight but crooked.
The root of the Hebrew word translated "wise" occurs more than 100 times in the Book of Proverbs, usually referring to human beings and their behaviour. Four other related words, "understanding", "intelligence", "discernment" and "knowledge" bring to almost 200 the number of references to wisdom or its equivalent. Solomon, the wisest man on earth, had this to say in the final days of his life on earth, "My son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conlusion, when all has been heard is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person." (Eccl 12:12-13).
Indeed, there're many books being produced each day either online or in the printed form. The reading of good books can inspire and motivate us into positive action. And I've read quite a substantial number to date. The converse is also true, that is, the reading of unwholesome things can cause us to behave in an unrighteous way. Paul, writing to Timothy, exhorted him to give attention to the public reading of Scripture (1 Tim 4:13). Above all else, the Word of God is able to convict us of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn 16:8); drawing us close to God and being able to equip us for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17).
In a world where truths, lies and half-truths are inter-mingled together in the world wide web, it's important to have as an anchor for our souls the eternal standard of God's Truth in our hearts to discern between good and evil (Heb 5:14). We have to pray daily for God to give us the mind of Christ - a mind of humility and love in our daily interaction with others as well as to shun every appearance of evil (Phil 2:5; 1 Th 5:22). So keep reading books to improve your knowledge and skills but also read the Bible daily for spiritual nourishment and guidance. In so doing, you would be wise in God's eyes.
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