What Does the Bible Say About Worldly Knowledge?

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

Genesis 11:4-7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.”

Genesis 6:2-5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 3:4-5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

James 3:13-18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ...

1 Timothy 4:1-5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Proverbs 3:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Genesis 4:19-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.

James 1:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Ephesians 1:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Galatians 4:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

1 Corinthians 1:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Romans 12:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 1:18-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

2 Peter 1:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Hebrews 6:1-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ...

Titus 1:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Titus 1:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

Colossians 1:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Philippians 2:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:1-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...

Galatians 4:5-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

Romans 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

John 17:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

John 16:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

John 16:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

John 14:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

John 14:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 3:20-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Luke 10:25-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ...

Ecclesiastes 1:17-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Genesis 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

Genesis 2:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,

44 Bible Verses about Worldly Knowledge

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 11:4-7 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 6:2-5 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 3:4-5 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:13-18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:1-5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 4:19-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 1:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 4:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 1:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:18-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 1:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 6:1-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 1:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 1:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 2:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 2:1-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 4:5-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 17:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:20-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 10:25-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 1:17-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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