Scripture for Today: I Timothy 6:20b-21 “…Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.”

Meet the pangolin. Although he looks like a reptile, he is a mammal. And because of those funny looking scales, he is the most poached and trafficked animal. They are made of keratin, the same stuff of hair and nails. But in some Asian countries they are thought to have medicinal properties. Because of what most would consider a false idea, their numbers are declining in their Asian and African habitats and they are at risk of extinction.

Today’s verse tells us to turn away from what is falsely called “knowledge.” If what we are hearing discounts completely God’s existence, then it is “godless.” Ideas opposing the absolute truth of Scripture may sound learned and intelligent, but it is not true knowledge. Those who adopt what opposes Scripture are at risk to leave the faith. But turning away from what pretends to be knowledge is not done in pride. Rather it is done in humility, recognizing that we too can be unduly influenced and leave the faith.

I do not want to “write off” those who hold to false ideas. I turn away so as to not be enticed myself by something that contradicts what God has made clear in His Word. I need to remember that it is the Lord that gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding (Prov. 2:6). True knowledge is knowing and loving the Source of truth (John 14:6). But I need to not only turn a deaf ear to what is false, but live out what I know to be the truth!

Lord, keep me turned away from false knowledge but loving the one who is deceived!