{"id":48896,"date":"2024-04-25T10:23:31","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T07:23:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=48896"},"modified":"2025-06-02T16:51:55","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T13:51:55","slug":"do-you-want-to-be-a-true-scholar-according-to-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2024\/04\/25\/do-you-want-to-be-a-true-scholar-according-to-god\/","title":{"rendered":"DO YOU WANT TO BE A TRUE SCHOLAR\u2014ACCORDING TO GOD?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

We live in a world that values knowledge. From academic degrees to endless online information, we are constantly pushed to know more, learn more, and accomplish more. But here\u2019s a deep and sobering question: What does God consider true wisdom or scholarship?<\/strong><\/p>\n

King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live (1 Kings 4:29-34), addressed this question after a lifetime of study and reflection. In the book of Ecclesiastes<\/strong>, written toward the end of his life, Solomon evaluates human pursuits\u2014including the pursuit of knowledge\u2014and comes to a powerful conclusion:<\/p>\n

Ecclesiastes 12:12\u201313<\/strong>
\n“Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to [God\u2019s words]. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments<\/strong>, for this is the duty of all mankind.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is not a rejection of learning or study\u2014after all, Scripture calls us to grow in knowledge (Proverbs 4:7; 2 Peter 1:5\u20136). But Solomon’s point is that true wisdom is not just about accumulating information; it is rooted in a relationship with God<\/strong>. The Hebrew phrase translated \u201cfear God\u201d (yirat Elohim<\/em>) refers to reverence, awe, submission, and worship. It\u2019s an attitude of the heart that leads to obedience.<\/p>\n

The Apostle Paul echoes this when he says:<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 8:1\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cKnowledge puffs up, but love builds up.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In other words, knowledge without love and humility can become dangerous. It can inflate the ego but fail to transform the soul. That\u2019s why Solomon concludes: the ultimate goal is not intellectual mastery but spiritual surrender<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What Does It Mean to Keep God\u2019s Commandments?<\/h3>\n

As Christians, we understand that the law and the prophets point to Christ (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:27). Therefore, to \u201ckeep God\u2019s commandments\u201d in the New Covenant means to follow Jesus<\/strong>\u2014obeying His teachings and walking in His love.<\/p>\n

John 13:34\u201335\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cA new command I give you: Love one another.<\/strong> As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is not just a suggestion\u2014it is the central command of the Christian life<\/strong>. Jesus is clear that love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). To walk in love is to walk in obedience. And this love is not mere emotion\u2014it\u2019s sacrificial, selfless, Christlike love (agape<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Therefore, you may have read a thousand books, but if you haven\u2019t learned how to love like Jesus, you\u2019ve missed the most important lesson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

True Wisdom vs. Worldly Knowledge<\/h3>\n

Today, many pursue education thinking it will lead to fulfillment, success, or even a deeper understanding of God. But Solomon warns that endless study can become wearisome<\/strong>, especially when it lacks a God-centered foundation. The New Testament affirms this:<\/p>\n

2 Timothy 3:7\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201c…always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

True knowledge isn\u2019t just mental\u2014it\u2019s relational. It involves knowing God personally through Jesus Christ<\/strong> (John 17:3). And this knowledge transforms our hearts and leads to practical obedience.<\/p>\n

Even the apostle John, reflecting on the overwhelming richness of Jesus’ ministry, says:<\/p>\n

John 21:25\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cJesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That verse reminds us that the message of Christ is vast<\/strong>, yet accessible to all. Though the world couldn\u2019t contain all the books about Him, His essential message is simple: believe, follow, and love.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, Who Is a Scholar in God\u2019s Eyes?<\/h3>\n

A scholar, in the biblical sense, is not simply someone who knows much but someone who lives out God\u2019s truth<\/strong>. Someone who doesn\u2019t just study the Word but obeys it<\/strong> (James 1:22).<\/p>\n

Proverbs 1:7\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

God measures scholarship not by academic titles, but by a heart that fears Him and a life that reflects His character<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Don’t misunderstand\u2014there is value in education and learning. Scripture encourages growth in wisdom and understanding. But never let your pursuit of knowledge replace your pursuit of Christ. As the saying goes, \u201cYou can be educated and still be lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

So here\u2019s the challenge: Let\u2019s not just be readers of the Word\u2014let\u2019s be doers. Let\u2019s not just seek information\u2014let\u2019s seek transformation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Put your greatest effort into living out the truths of the Bible<\/strong>, especially the command to love. That is the mark of a true disciple and, in God\u2019s eyes, a true scholar.<\/p>\n

James 3:13<\/strong>
\n\u201cWho is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

May God bless you as you grow not just in knowledge, but in obedience, love, and Christlike wisdom.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shalom.<\/strong><\/p>\n