Paul warned Timothy of those who were “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). How is it possible for one to continue to progress in his learning but never come to know the truth of God’s word? There are three ways this can happen. Any one of these, or a combination of the three, will prevent someone from coming to know the truth.
Wrong Message
The psalmist wrote, “The sum of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160). Jesus also identified the word of God as truth (John 17:17). This means that anything that is different from the word of God is not truth.
Paul warned the Galatians of following a “different gospel” that would cause people to be “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9). Similarly, he warned the brethren in Colossae that they could be taken “captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Following after the wisdom of the world will prevent us from coming “to know God” (1 Corinthians 1:21).
If someone is learning something that is different from the word of God, he can continue to learn as much as he wants; but he will never come to know the truth.
Wrong Teacher
Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Because of the inconspicuous nature of false teachers, it is not always immediately apparent that this is what they are.
We need teachers and preachers who will “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11, KJV). This means “declaring…the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27) without leaving out anything from it. Those who “preach the word” must continue to do so, even when others want them to change the message to be “in accordance to their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:2-5). They will have the attitude of Paul who wrote, “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). Sadly, many teachers and preachers do not do this. Instead of pointing people to Jesus and His word, they “[speak] perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:30).
If someone is following a teacher that is not teaching the whole truth from God’s word, he will never come to a complete knowledge of the truth as long as he follows that false teacher.
Wrong Attitude
James wrote, “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). When Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount, He stressed the importance of humility to His hearers: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Unfortunately, many approach the Bible with the wrong attitude. Rather than humbly seeking to learn how to please the Lord, they seek to acquire knowledge to boost their own arrogance (1 Corinthians 8:1). Some seek to gain an academic knowledge of the Bible that conforms to worldly wisdom (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-27). Some will “distort…the Scriptures” in order to justify themselves in whatever their current state might be (2 Peter 3:16). Many “delude themselves” by hearing but not obeying the word (James 1:22). They allow their knowledge of God’s word to soothe their conscience while they never do anything to put it into practice in their lives. Yet the whole point of learning what the Bible teaches is to become “doers of the word, and not merely hearers” (James 1:22).
If someone attempts to learn the truth, but refuses to humbly recognize His place before God, he will never apply the word to his own life and, therefore, will not accept the truth.
Conclusion
We must learn the truth and obey it in order to please God and be saved. But if we are to do this, we must go to the right source (the Scriptures), listen to the right teachers (those who accurately teach the truth of God’s word), and have the right attitude (a humble desire to conform our lives to the Lord’s will). If any one of these is lacking, we will never come to know the truth.
