Knowledge Of Truth Vs False Knowledge

'' Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.''

Dear people, let us meditate on some Scriptures and understand what is meant by perishing due to lack of knowledge as mentioned in the above Scripture.

Word of God is a double edged sword.

We need to be very careful when we handle it.

Let us read from Titus 1:1 to know what is Knowledge of truth and what are its characteristics :

'' Titus 1:1, 2 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness - a faith and knowledge resting on hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light.''

Therefore, heres is how we can describe the characteristics of the Knowledge of Truth:

1. Knowledge of Truth Leads to Godliness

2.This Knowledge rests on Hope of Eternal Life

So, without a shadow of doubt, we now understand that the knowledge referred in

Hosea 4 : 6 is ''knowledge of Truth.''

Let us now meditate on these two characteristics of Knowledge of Truth:

1. Knowledge of Truth leads to godliness:
Now,what is being godly? Are there any rules?

Yes !
Lets read from Colossians :

'' Col 3 : 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above , where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ''

'' Col 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
Sexual Immorality
Impurity
Lust
Evil Desires
Greed - which is idolatry
Because of thesee the wrath of God is coming.''


In the above Scripture, note that 'greed' is specifically highlighted as Idolatry.
If one has greed for earthly things, he is actually involved in idolatry and does not have godliness in him.

2. This Knowledge of Truth rests on hope of Eternal life:
Eternal life is granted to those who accept Christ, and become a part of the Kingdom of God.

When one enters the kingdom of God, his citizenship will be in heaven and not on this earth.

They live with the hope to see Jesus coming and transforming them and grant them eternal life.

'Eternal life' doesn't imply the natural life span a man has on this earth.

Lets take the same from the scriptures:

'' Philippians 3:20, 21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. ''

We therefore, can summarize that the ''Knowledge of Truth '' is a Knowledge that leads to ''godliness''. The hope that this knowledge gives is awaiting our Lord Jesus. And knowledge of truth does not aim towards any worldly riches.

Scriptures tell us that we must train ourselves in godliness:

'' 1 Tim 4:7,8 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ''

Well, now, is there is any other Knowledge existing, besides this Knowledge of Truth, that the word of God warns us about?

Certainly there is !!

'' 1 Timothy 6:20, 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 wandered from the faith.''

So, there is this strange another false Knowledge, existing besides the Knowledge of Truth.

We need to be therefore, very careful when we seek to gain Knowledge of God.

We need to check if the knowledge we are being taught is the Knowledge of Truth that leads to godliness, focusing on things above.

Or, if this knowledge is focusing on earthly things.

Now, what kind of people will propagate and seek after such false knowledge ? Lets look at the following verses :

'' Philippians 3:18,19 Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is their stomach and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. ''

This Scripture clearly says, that those people whose mind is on earthly things, are those who actually live as enemies of the CROSS of Christ.

It doesn't say they live as '' enemies of Christ.''

But it says they live as ''enemies of the cross of Christ'' which means they love Christ, but not His cross.

Cross here means trials and tribulations.

These are the people who doesn't want to welcome trials, but they seek God only for having a comfortable earthly life.

They crave for the things of this world, at the same time proclaim having a kind of godliness.

They will not set their mind towards persevering the trials which God allows for HIS purposes.

Such people believe that godliness is a means to financial gain :
'' 1 Timothy 6:3,4 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree with the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.''

''1 Tim 6:5 ......and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain .''

As stated in this scripture, these people are robbed of Truth.

Their doctrines contradict with the sound instruction of Jesus.

These are the people who are being destroyed due to lack of knowledge of truth, as stated in Hosea 4 : 6( ''My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.'' )

These wander from faith, and propagate false doctrines which does not fall inline with the characteristics of the '' Knowledge of Truth,'' but they falsely call it '' knowledge,'' because they derive their doctrines from the same Scriptures, interpreting them according to their selfish motives.

This Scripture in Hosea 4:6 is actually referring to these same people who are using this to back up their false doctrines. And also to those who are influenced by their doctrines.

These are the ones who are referred to as perishing without knowledge (of God).

The very next line in the same verse conveys this:

'' Hosea 4 : 6 My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. '' Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the Law of your God, I also will ignore your children. '' ''

People who are perishing without knowledge , are those who have rejected the knowledge of God, which is knowledge of Truth.

Dear people, the word of God tells us that we need to persevere every trail God allows in our lives, ensuring peace with HIM:

''Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere. ''

'' 1 Peter 4:2 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trail you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ. ''

'' Romans 5 : 2 - 5 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. ''

Dear people, Knowledge of Truth is the Knowledge about God. And God wants his people to come to the knowledge of truth:

'' 1 Timothy 2 : 3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of truth. ''

Any other knowledge which is not falling in line with the description given for this Knowledge of Truth leading to godliness, but aims for the worldly things is a false knowledge.

'' 1 John 2:15, 16 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world.''


'' 2 Peter 1 : 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ''

'' Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ''

'' Proverbs 9: 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; Walk in the Way of Understanding.''

'' Proverbs 11: 28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall. ''

These Scriptures clearly tell us what God wants of His children.

God has clearly set HIS commands and instructions for us.

And when we walk in fear keeping HIS commands, its then we can know what is knowledge of God.Because,The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.(Proverbs 1:7)

If anyone is deriving false doctrines, using the same Scriptures, then this means he does not have the fear of God in him.

Therefore dear people, let us carefully abide by the commands and instructions of Jesus and gladly discard any doctrines that contradict His gospel.

Let us conduct ourselves worthy of the gospel of Christ:
'' Philippians 1 : 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. ''

'' 1 Tim 2 : 1, 2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of truth. ''


May the divine protection of the Living God surround us, keeping us from every falsehood, and help us come to the knowledge of truth and live in godliness and holiness, as this is pleasing to our Lord.

God Bless You.