Are You Building Up?

By: Wendy Sanders

Monday, June 2, 2025

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1

Summer just started, and Florida's afternoon thunderstorms are now starting to begin, but I already can’t wait for fall. I love fall, and my family will tell you it's my favorite season. In fall, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. One of my favorite things to do on Thanksgiving is watching the parade on TV. Those giant balloons in that parade always amaze me! Sometimes, knowledge can be like a parade balloon; puffed up and big, trying to get everyone's attention. At times we can look at someone's knowledge with amazement and wonder, but it will eventually deflate. The smartest person's knowledge will slowly fade over time, but if we're prideful about it, the Lord may intervene and deflate us instantly.

Knowing all things, Jesus could have been puffed up with spiritual knowledge. But He knew that behavior would have displeased His Heavenly Father. Instead, He chose to speak truth in loving ways and He always reflected God's love in His actions. He never used His knowledge to argue about being right until everyone agreed. Instead, He allowed His listeners to make a choice, to choose to believe in what He said, or not... Jesus was gracious and humble to everyone He met!

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16

Paul had a lot of knowledge, and he understood how easily it could divide people. He also knew if he misused his knowledge, it could cause people to not believe in Jesus. That's why Paul warns the Corinthians (and us) to be careful with our knowledge. Our actions and words need to be wielded with love, not pride. Prideful knowledge temporarily puffs us up, and it may even make us the center of attention. But puffed up, prideful knowledge will eventually deflate. In contrast, love continues building up, and it only gets stronger.

Where do you stand in this balloon analogy? Are you so puffed up with knowledge that you're one poke away from deflation? Or are you loving others and trying to build them up? Have you encouraged anyone in their walk with Christ lately? Take a moment and reflect on where you are... Let's all commit to being the person who builds others up!