Proverbs 11:9 Knowledge_

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape. Proverbs‬ ‭11:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Neighbors, some times you like them, some times you don’t. Either way, they are still our neighbors. They are in close proximity. Neighbors are more than where my home is located, they are those that intersect with my life – at work, on the bus, and sit next to me at church (if you attend) or at a football game. They are not enemies. As a neighbor, I am in a position to help and speak into their lives the benefits of value, respect, goodness. Treat them as I would like to be treated.

The godless (Hebrew meaning pollute, soiled (with sin), hypocritical) don’t see things this way. They will destroy those relationships for their own gain. Solomon contrasts “words that destroy” and “knowledge” – indicating that destruction is less likely when knowledge is present, and the veiled and nefarious motive of the wicked is not realized.

Knowledge is incredibly powerful. More powerful that words that deceive or that contain partial truth without a context-setting view. Once gained, one is much less likely to judge another. And think about it: the One with all knowledge seeks to make filthy men clean. Wikipedia describes knowledge as:

A familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information, descriptions, or skills, which is acquired through experience or education by perceiving, discovering, or learning. Knowledge acquisition involves complex cognitive processes: perception, communication, and reasoning; while knowledge is also said to be related to the capacity of acknowledgment in human beings.

I gain knowledge by perception, reflection, and acknowledgment – not by eating from the tree of good and evil. Yes, it is as powerful and desirable as the adversary revealed when tempting Eve, yet the manner of obtaining knowledge is as important as the knowledge itself. Knowledge has power, and without the appropriate humility along with a guard on our heart, that very power can turn to destruction. One may begin to understand why Solomon says:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs‬ ‭9:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬