I’m reminded of that scene in the garden of Eden in Genesis 3. The serpent tempted the first humans with an opportunity to acquire more knowledge without having to obey the things God had revealed to them so far. Adam and Even chose to be educated beyond their obedience, believing the serpent’s lie that they would become like God in this way. Ironically, educating themselves beyond their obedience made them less like God.

More knowledge isn’t bad. When God told them not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, it’s not like He had said, “I will never give you more knowledge.” But there is a kind of knowing that can only be obtained through obedience to the Creator.

I would argue that the devil (“serpent”) is pleased to see us gorging ourselves on more and more sermons, classes and bible studies if it means we’ll never get around to being like God.