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Perverted and Natural Knowledge
The above judgment was pronounced upon the Chaldeans because of the perversion which permeated their nation. Chaldea was part of the Babylonian Empire. The name “Chaldees” is synonymous with the name “Babylon” in the Bible. “Chaldees” is used in many places in the Bible instead of Babylon because several Chaldeans became Kings of Babylon.
Babylon means “City of Confusion.” Babylon is a type and shadow of the World. Because of the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, the World is in a “state of confusion.” The entire World System is captivated by and operates under the authority of the “Spirit of Confusion.” According to the Bible, Satan is the god of this World. He is also the ruler of the Babylonian System.
All perverted knowledge is propagated by and through the Spirit of Confusion. Doctrines of devils and demons are designed to confuse and control the minds of people who are spiritually and canonically weak. Cults are breeding grounds for demons and devils who manipulate and subordinate their victims with damnable lies through their power to delude and deceive the masses.
Perverted knowledge degrades and degenerates the attitudes and motives of irrational, progressively minded people. Progressive thinking says that “truth is transient” and truth can become whatever one wants it to become. It all depends on what progressive thought is most convenient at the time.
A perverted mind will perceive and assimilate knowledge and understanding with evil intent and reckless resolve. A perverted mind will perceive “truth” as irrational, inconvenient and confusing. Minds are easily controlled and influenced by demonic suggestion and manipulation when they reject the truth of the Gospel.
Perverted minds are bound in chains of darkness and obscurity. Those who love darkness rather than light will hate truth and righteousness. They will remain confused and in bondage to perverted thoughts unless they repent.
All spiritual knowledge, understanding and wisdom which man possesses outside of Christ is perverted in one way or another. On the other hand, godly knowledge dwells and thrives in the hearts and minds of those who possess godly wisdom and understanding.
If we have been born-again we now belong to God--not to the Babylonian System which rules and controls this World. Satan is known as the “Prince and Power of the Air.” He rules over Babylon, the System of Confusion in this World. We live in this World, however, in Christ, we are not OF this World so we are not subject to the rules and regulations of the Babylonian System. The Babylonian System is the system which controls this World, to a certain extent, by serpentine principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. They pervert knowledge to gain access to the minds of people who are void of spiritual understanding.
For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, none seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am and none else beside me. Therefore, shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shall not know. Isaiah, Chapter 47, Verses 10-11.
Perverted knowledge is “knowledge which opposes the Laws of God and human nature.” It is knowledge which was God inspired, but was changed by deviant minds which became twisted, corrupt and warped in their thinking. Knowledge will always be perverted in one way or another when it comes from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is sensuous, devilish and worldly, just as the wisdom which it produces. No godly fruit can be found on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. That tree is rooted and grounded in bias and hatred toward the Tree of Life and the fruit of godly wisdom, knowledge and understanding which the Tree of Life produces.
There is a curse upon perverted wisdom and knowledge, as well as all those who have deceptive and treacherous hearts and minds. When people become perverted they will connive to use perverted wisdom and knowledge to promote their evil agendas because their hearts are full of evil. Judgment will eventually visit all who walk the path of immorality and passionate perversion. Evil minds are perverted habitats full of lustful desires, carnal cravings and abominable appetites. They are motivated by lust, greed, selfishness and lasciviousness.
All natural knowledge comes from God. However, much of it has been perverted by demonic entities who use perverted knowledge to control people by and through the spirits of witchcraft and confusion. When I was a sinner, sin had dominion OVER me. When I found the knowledge, through faith in Jesus Christ, of how to overcome and have dominion OVER sin, I became more proficient at living godly. Sin no longer has dominion over me because the POWER of the Holy Spirit dwells richly within me.
Most of the time God does not get the glory for the knowledge He has given mankind to invent and create things which are useful and beneficial to humanity. All the knowledge we have originated from God and not from man. Much of that knowledge has been perverted by mankind.
THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE. The knowledge which the Tree of Life produces is God breathed and produces godly fruit. Like wisdom, the knowledge of God rests upon the foundation of “the fear of the Lord.” Godly KNOWLEDGE always acknowledges God as its source. Godly knowledge promotes righteousness, joy and peace by way of the Holy Spirit. It does not conform to the wisdom of this World, but to the principles which govern the Kingdom of God.
“Natural knowledge” is knowledge which is not supernatural or perverted. Natural knowledge is knowledge natural man possess outside of the knowledge of God and perverted knowledge. Natural knowledge can become perverted when it is used for selfish and immoral purposes. The purpose and function of natural knowledge is to educate and equip mankind to live a safe, prosperous and productive life here on Earth. Even though God is the source or beginning of all knowledge, natural knowledge is not the same as the knowledge OF God. The knowledge OF God is rejected by men who live in darkness. Most of mankind does not acknowledge or agree that God is the source of ALL natural knowledge.
With natural knowledge man understands how to build ships, bridges, airplanes, buildings, roads and many other things they need. With natural knowledge, man is able to make medicine, heal the sick, wage war and create wealth, among other things. With the wealth of knowledge God has given men they can do almost anything they can imagine. Natural knowledge can include everything men learn from the natural sciences to political science, criminal science and astronomy.
When it comes to spiritual matters, natural knowledge is worthless and spiritually unfruitful unless it is tempered with godly wisdom and love. We can create things through the arts, sciences and other God given talents which honor God and promote righteousness when anointed by the Holy Spirit. However, possessing knowledge which is not God inspired will do nothing to promote the Kingdom of God.
Having all the knowledge we need to build, create and subdue our enemies is vanity outside of the Kingdom of God. King Solomon wrote much about how the knowledge and labors of men were in vain without the KNOWLEDGE of God. When we acknowledge God in all our accomplishments, we will find a greater reward than the satisfaction and gratification of self-accomplishment. We will experience the peace and joy God has promised us when we use the knowledge He has given us to perform our earthy duties with humility and thankfulness.
If we live according to the precepts and principles God has laid out in His Word, our life will not be in vain. What we accomplish in Christ and for Christ will have eternal value. Life is never in vain when we are serving God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. If we are truly serving and dedicated to the “Most High God,” we will not be seeking for our own will to be done, but rather for His will to be done on earth.
Natural knowledge can help us on our journey through this World. However, the KNOWLEDGE of God can take us beyond this World into “heavenly places” where godly knowledge and wisdom abounds. We may possess knowledge, but knowledge alone is nothing without wisdom. When we receive the knowledge of God, we must ask Him for wisdom to use it properly and faithfully. The Bible tells us that God gives wisdom liberally to all men who ask Him for wisdom in faith.
The Apostle Paul said “natural knowledge puffs up,” or “makes one prideful.” Paul said if we think OUR knowledge is important, we do not KNOW anything. We all possess some natural knowledge. However, the KNOWLEDGE of God is what is most important.
Many people use knowledge for selfish gain. Many people try to impress others with the vast knowledge they have acquired and retain in their human memory banks. Some possess more knowledge than others because they have more “gigabytes” in their carnal computers. However, what is most important is not WHAT we know, but WHO we know. We can KNOW the one who created “all things which were created.” His name is Jesus. When we KNOW Christ, we have access to the truth which is able to set us free in every area of our lives.
Paul said “Although I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all KNOWLEDGE, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13, Verse 2.
Possessing knowledge outside of LOVE is worthless and vanity. Knowledge without LOVE is based upon facts, figures and principles generated by the carnal mind. Although knowledge is important, LOVE is more important because it edifies.
The carnal mind is an enemy of God. If we LOVE God--we are KNOWN by Him. Do we want to be FILLED with the LOVE of God or earthly knowledge which may make us proud and boastful? Do we wish to be carnally minded or spiritually minded? Is “our” knowledge more important than the LOVE of God which casts out all fear and never fails? Knowledge alone “puffs up,” but the knowledge of God leads us to wisdom and understanding when we “acknowledge” Christ as Lord and Savior.
AND EVEN AS THEY DID NOT LIKE TO RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE, GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO A REPROBATE MIND, TO DO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT FITTING. Romans, Chapter 1, Verse 28.