Warning: Knowledge Increases Sorrow

"For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow" (Ecc. 1:18, ESV).

The pursuit of wisdom and knowledge can never be ends in themselves.  It is not sufficient to "be wise" or to "have knowledge."  These sorts of pursuits leave one puffed up with pride.  With knowledge comes the expectation of correct response.  Or to quote Uncle Ben, from Spider-Man, "With great power comes great responsibility."

Solomon initially pursued wisdom with the end of rightly leading God's people fixed in his sight.  However, after his wisdom became known, he began trying to increase his wisdom for the sake of having wisdom.  His focus shifted from glorifying God to glorifying himself.

His knowledge of the proper response to God, burdened him with guilt.  Solomon's disobedience was costly, not only to himself, but his family and his nation.  The more you know, the more you have reason to grieve.  Knowledge burdens the learner with expectations, but the pursuit of knowledge often floods the mind with contradictory information that must be sorted out, and which can blind you to the truth.

That is not to say that one should never study or never seek to learn.  I believe Solomon is saying that we need to know why we are learning (for God's glory), how it will help us to serve him, and why study should be approached with great care.  Failure to discern between truth and opinion disguised as "fact," can be very destructive.

Let's say that you don't know that starving children are dying in Karzy*.  One day you come upon a startling statistic that says 65% of all the children in Karzy will die of malnutrition before they reach the age of three.  You check all the references and discover that the statistic is true.  Now you have knowledge that increases your sorrow. 

There are at least two ways it increases your sorrow.  First, you are made aware of the fact that children are starving to death in a foreign land.  Unless you're some kind of heartless monster, that fact should disturb you in some way.  Second, you now have the responsibility to do something.  Prior to discovering the fact you were blissful in your ignorance, and you had no moral duty.  However, upon learning about the situation you become morally responsible, before God, to help the starving children.

Knowledge is power, and power brings responsibility.  If we are to live in a way that please our King, we will continue to learn, and act upon what we learn.  Learning for any other purpose, will only weary the learner.


*Karzy is a fictional place, however starving children are a reality in our world.

Godly Grief

"For godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death" (2 Cor. 7:10, ESV).

The context surrounding this verse, Paul addresses the grief felt by the Corinthian church at his rebuke.  He wants them to be aware that his rebuke was meant to inflict sorrow.  He wounded them intentionally, but they were wounds meant to bring a greater healing.

The goal of his correction was godly grief.  He wanted them to come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and to be broken by their sin.  This kind of grief or sorrow produces "repentance that leads to salvation without regret."  Spirit applied rebuke works repentance in the heart.  Repentance in the heart transforms the life.  A transformed life abandons the practices that lead regret.

Paul contrast's godly grief with worldly grief.  Worldly grief never leads to repentance.  It may lead to guilt--even intense guilt, but it never moves a person to repentance.  They never change their mind; they never turn away from their grief to the living God.  They become paralyzed by their guilt, and often turn bitter.

Has anyone spoken a word of rebuke to you that cut you to the heart?  After meditating on their words, did you find yourself wanting to change?  Have you turned to Christ in repentance and faith, knowing that his blood has purchased your pardon and given you his righteousness?  Do those words of rebuke now spur you on toward obedience to Christ?  If so, you have experience godly sorrow, and it is working its fruit in your life.  If not, don't let your guilt eat at you any longer.  Call out to Christ and find forgiveness and cleanse.