Knowledge without heart is a dangerous tool that can inflict blunt force trauma and with its usage leave behind offense, injury, and alienation.

Paul writes in Colossians 2,

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know (ἐπίγνωσις - epignosis) the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (γνῶσις - gnosis).

Paul is referring to two types of knowledge here. The latter (gnosis) is the same word for knowledge he uses in 1 Corinthians 8 when he writes, But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. (verse 1) This type of knowledge is experiential, acquired, applied. I know what it takes to keep my marriage strong - communication, treating my wife kindly, listening to her. I "gnosis" what to do in order to maintain a good relationship with my wife.

But the first type of knowledge Paul is referring to (epignosis) is relational and revelatory; it is a knowledge that grows in depth of insight, a contact-knowledge. There’s a difference between me knowing what it is like to be married and me knowing my wife. The first type of knowledge has experienced the ins and outs of marriage, what is involved in keeping it going, how many years I have been married, and so forth. The second type of knowledge views, perceives, and understands my wife - who she is. 

I believe that our gnosis knowledge should always come out of our epignosis knowledge. In Christ (relationship, knowing Him, ἐπίγνωσις - epignosis) are hidden all the treasures (wisdom, knowledge, γνῶσις - gnosis). We want to avoid being like the Gnostics whose knowledge was built on false spiritual experiences and find our knowledge based on our relationship with Jesus, as we grow in our accurate view of Him. This will come as the Holy Spirit gives us revelation in our study and pursuit of truth in Scripture. Jesus is the door to wisdom and knowledge, and we have no legitimate right to that wisdom and knowledge without going through the door.

And this approach (through Christ) leads us to humility because we admit, realize, that none of the wisdom and knowledge that is gained comes from our-self, but rather is a treasure, a gift, from Jesus. It is all from Him. And we must remember that.

"There are no shortcuts." You have no right to use knowledge (gnosis) unless you go through (epignosis) Jesus. He is the door to the riches of wisdom and knowledge (gnosis). Did you pick up on the fact that the applied-knowledge (gnosis) is referred to as a treasure? The scripture does encourage us to gain knowledge and wisdom, to use our minds, to pursue understanding. But only after we understand where we find this knowledge - in Christ. Knowledge without connection to the heart of Jesus is unbalanced.

The scripture reveals God as high and lifted up, living in a lofty place, but also dwelling with the lowly. The God of heaven who knows more than you or I will ever know dwells with the humble. He lowers Himself to our level, not condescending, but abiding lovingly with. We must not take ourselves too seriously; for all that we know we must take the attitude of humility that marked the life of Jesus.

Powerful is the humble person who knows their Lord and has gained the wisdom and knowledge that he gives. This person will impact the world around them as they carry the heart of Jesus in truth and love.

Scripture References

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. (Proverbs 4:5)

For this is what the high and exalted One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:15)

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)

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