1 growing in christian virtues knowledge proverbs 1:1-7

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Growing InChristian Virtues

KnowledgeProverbs 1:1-7

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2 Peter 1:5-11

“ 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral

excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-

control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance,

godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly

kindness, love. …”

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2 Peter 1:5-11

“… 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the

true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these

qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from

his former sins.…”

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2 Peter 1:5-11

“… 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of

our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”

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Faith

Moral Excellenc

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Knowledge

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Proverbs 1:1-7

“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know

wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive

instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To

give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, …”

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Proverbs 1:1-7

“… 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of

understanding will acquire wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and

a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is

the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

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Knowledge

•Another building block we must add to our foundation as a Christian –2 Pet. 1:5 "Now for this very

reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,"

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Knowledge

•Another building block we must add to our foundation as a Christian –The knowledge under consideration is that of God's word.–We must continually add knowledge.•We must "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. 3:18

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Knowledge

•If we stop growing in knowledge and understanding we are displeasing to God–Heb. 5:12-14

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Hebrews 5:12-14

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not

solid food. …"

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Hebrews 5:12-14

"… 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of

righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses

trained to discern good and evil."

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Knowledge

•If we stop growing in knowledge and understanding we are displeasing to God–Israel perished for lack of knowledge - Hos. 4:6

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Hosea 4:6

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from

being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also

will forget your children."

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Knowledge

•If we stop growing in knowledge and understanding we are displeasing to God–Israel perished for lack of knowledge - Hos. 4:6–This has happened to God's people many times.–It could well be happening today.

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Knowledge - Epignosis

•In 2 Pet. 1:2,3,8 – Peter uses the word "epignosis" in the phrase "the knowledge of Jesus Christ"–The word epignosis means "to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly, to know accurately, know well" (Thayer)

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•In 2 Pet. 1:2,3,8 – Peter uses the word "epignosis" in the phrase "the knowledge of Jesus Christ"

•Such knowledge comes only as we demonstrate all eight of the "Christ-like graces" in our lives

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•Knowledge (gnosis) is just one element...–Peter uses the word "gnosis" when he tells us to add knowledge to virtue - 2 Pet. 1:5

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•Knowledge (gnosis) is just one element...–The word gnosis means "a seeking to know, an inquiry, investigation" (Vine)–This word conveys the normal idea of knowledge: "awareness through study and experience" (Wycliffe)

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•Knowledge (gnosis) is just one element...

•-This knowledge pertains to understanding the will of God and the way of salvation through Jesus Christ - cf. Lk 1:77; Phil. 3:8

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Luke 1:77

“To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by

the forgiveness of their sins,”

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Philippians 3:8

“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all

things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,”

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So we add to our faith and moral excellence that

knowledge (gnosis) or information

necessary to truly know (epignosis)

Jesus Christ

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The Demand of Knowledge

•Some Commands necessitate Bible Study–The command to "be filled with

the knowledge of His will" and "increasing in the knowledge of God." – Col. 1:9,10

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Colossians 1:9,10

"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual

wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the

knowledge of God;"

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•Some Commands necessitate Bible Study–The command to understand God's will–Eph. 5:17 "So then do not be

foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

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•Some Commands necessitate Bible Study–The command to teach the gospel to all nations. •How can we teach what we do not know - Mt. 28:19-20

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Matthew 28:19-20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am

with you always, even to the end of the age."

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•Some Commands necessitate Bible Study–The command to be ready always to give an answer to those who question our hope – 1 Pet. 3:15

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1 Peter 3:15

"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to

give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and

reverence;"

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•Some Commands necessitate Bible Study–The command to earnestly contend for the faith.•We must know something about it to contend for it – Jude 3

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Jude 3

"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common

salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend

earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."

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•Some Commands necessitate Bible Study–The command to teach our children the way of the Lord –Eph. 6:4 "Fathers, do not provoke

your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

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•Note the Blessings derived from Bible study–The Scriptures provide us with all our spiritual needs

–2 Tim. 3:16,17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–The Scriptures convict us of sin•Heb. 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–The Scriptures convict us of sin•James 1:23 "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;"

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–God's word is food for our soul–1 Pet. 2:1,2 "Therefore, putting

aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,"

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–God's word is food for our soul –Mt. 4:3,4 "And the tempter came and

said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–God's word will make us prosper spiritually – Psalm 1:1-3

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Psalm 1:1-3

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly

planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not

wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. "

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–The Bible is a guiding light–Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a

lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–Jesus answered every temptation with "It is written" – Mt. 4:1-11•The word of God will help keep us from apostasy.

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–His word will build us up and give us an inheritance –Acts 20:32 "And now I commend

you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–The Bible will help prepare us for judgment, since we will be judged by it –John 12:48 "He who rejects Me and

does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day."

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–The Bible will help prepare us for judgment, since we will be judged by it •Rev. 20:12 "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds."

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•Blessings derived from Bible study–The Scriptures provide hope –Rom. 15:4 "For whatever was

written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

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•Note the Blessings derived from Bible study–The Scriptures can make us wise–2 Tim. 3:15 "and that from

childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

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How should one approach Bible study?

•Improper attitudes:–To prove a point

–Arrogantly

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•Proper attitudes:–Reverently–1 Thessalonians 2:13 "For this

reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."

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•Proper attitudes:–With great desire –Mt. 5:6 "Blessed are those who

hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

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•Proper attitudes:–Having a mind that values knowledge more highly than gold–Proverbs 8:10-11 "Take my

instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold. 11 "For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her."

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•Proper attitudes:–With meekness –James 1:21 "Therefore, putting

aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls."

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•Proper attitudes:–With diligence –Acts 17:11 "Now these were more

noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."

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•Proper attitudes:–With love for truth –2 Thess. 2:10 "and with all the

deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved."

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•Proper attitudes:–With love for truth•A heart that longs and searches for knowledge – Prov. 2:3-6

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Proverbs 2:3-6

"For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From

His mouth come knowledge and understanding."

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•Proper attitudes:–With love for truth•A heart that longs and searches for knowledge – Prov. 2:3-6 •As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word – 1 Pet. 2:2

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•Proper attitudes:–Willingness to submit to God's will – James 1:22-25

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James 1:22-25

"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately

forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a

forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does."

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•Proper attitudes:–Willingness to submit to God's will –•A love for instruction •Proverbs 12:1 "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid."

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Suggestions to learn the Bible:

•Be systematic–Set up a regular routine of bible study•Make them a priority in your life•Don't take opportunities for Bible study with others for granted

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•Be systematic–Set up a regular routine of bible study–Have daily Bible readings and/or use recordings of bible readings to play during the day or at bedtime.–Memorize a verse a day or even a verse a week.

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•Be systematic–Subscribe to good religious periodicals, read good tracts, etc.–Talk to your friends about the Bible and try to convert them. •This will build knowledge and give you incentive to study.

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The Danger of Knowledge

•Knowledge can make one Arrogant–Knowledge has the potential to produce arrogance - cf. 1 Cor. 8:1-2

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1 Corinthians 8:1-2

“Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have

knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If

anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as

he ought to know;”

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•Knowledge can make one Arrogant–Knowledge has the potential to produce arrogance - cf. 1 Cor. 8:1-2•It can "puff up" rather than "build up"•"A little learning is a dangerous thing." - Pope

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•Knowledge can make one Arrogant–For this reason we must temper knowledge with love and meekness•Love edifies, and does not puff itself up - cf. 1 Cor. 8:1; 13:4

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1 Corinthians 8:1

“Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have

knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.”

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1 Corinthians 13:4

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;

love does not brag and is not arrogant,”

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•Knowledge can make one Arrogant–For this reason we must temper knowledge with love and meekness•Love edifies, and does not puff itself up - cf. 1 Cor. 8:1; 13:4•What knowledge or wisdom we believe we have, should manifest itself in a spirit of meekness - cf. James 3:13,17

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James 3:13,17

•“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”

•17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”

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•Knowledge can make one Arrogant

•There is no virtue in Knowledge if it leads to arrogance!

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•Knowledge can Destroy a Brother–Knowledge can be destructive when misused - cf. 1 Cor. 8:4-11

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1 Corinthians 8:4-11“Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one

God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus

Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. …”

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1 Corinthians 8:4-11“… 7 However not all men have this

knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were

sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the

worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9 But take care that this liberty of

yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. …”

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1 Corinthians 8:4-11

“… 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's

temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake

Christ died.”

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•Knowledge can Destroy a Brother–Knowledge can be destructive when misused - cf. 1 Cor. 8:4-11•When we despise the lack of knowledge in others•When we run roughshod over the weak conscience of others

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•Knowledge can Destroy a Brother–Such abuse of knowledge produces sin in our lives - cf. 1 Cor. 8:12-13

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1 Corinthians 8:12-13

“And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their

conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will

never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.”

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•Knowledge can Destroy a Brother–Such abuse of knowledge produces sin in our lives - cf. 1 Cor. 8:12-13•We can actually sin against Christ!•Therefore love must properly restrain our use of knowledge - e.g., Rom. 14:14-21

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Romans 14:14-21

“I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be

unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt,

you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him

for whom Christ died. …”

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Romans 14:14-21

“… 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and

peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by

men. …”

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Romans 14:14-21

“… 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of

God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to

eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.”

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•Knowledge can Destroy a Brother

•Like a sharp knife, knowledge can be dangerous used improperly!

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Faith

Moral Excellenc

e

Knowledge

That we might truly grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord

Jesus Christ!

1 growing in christian virtues knowledge proverbs 1:1-7

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