How to Learn and Put That Knowledge into Practice
Consider the idea of learning. To grow we have to learn some things–there is just no way around it. We have to get information in our heads and learn how to apply it to our lives.
In times past, whenever I faced a task my first response was to say that I needed to go learn more about it first. However, I learned that I was never actually coming to a place where I would use the information I learned.
Realizing We’re Making Excuses
I started realizing that I was using an excuse. Instead of applying what I learned, I was claiming that I needed to learn more first. While taking seminar after seminar I realized something. I was just wanting everyone else to tell me what to do instead of figuring it out for myself. I wanted to have a step-by-step plan, and everything mapped out in front of me. I thought that if I had everything planned out, I could do it. But that was only an excuse, a way to stall. It was easier that way and the excuse seemed noble.
Changing to Count the Cost
I learned that it was an excuse when I realized that I would never get to where I had everything mapped out. So, I decided to make a new policy. I decided that I was going to jump in, see what I needed to do, and start. Then I was going to learn as I went.
Neither one of those plans are perfect, because sometimes you can jump in without realizing what it is going to take. It’s dangerous when you have not counted the cost. I realize that is a danger. That is where you must be up front with yourself about the situation and give yourself permission to fail. Failure can be difficult, but for me that is a lot better than waiting forever to start.
Are We Only Learning, or Are We Taking Action?
At some point we need to ask ourselves if we are going to be a leaners or talkers. If you are a learner, you need to do it. Learning to me is not just putting information in my head anymore. Learning is about taking the information from my head to my feet. It’s about getting busy doing the things I know I should do.
A preacher said one time, “Any religion that does not change you, is worthless”. Failing to change means either your heart is not willing to hear it, or it is not the Truth. If what we as Christians are doing is the same as what worldly people do, what is the difference? Suppose people out in the world see that how we live is the same things they are. Why would they see the need to change?
Good People Doing Nothing
There are people outside the Church that try to avoid sin. They are (as such) “good people”. But they do not understand how to put into practice godliness in their lives. And that is something that can be difficult to figure out. Most of us can avoid doing bad things, but figuring out the good is sometimes more difficult.
Generally, what we end up doing is getting rid of or hiding the things people notice. We tend to not get upset with someone who is obsessed with money and material possessions, for example. That obsession is a little more difficult to identify. It is easier to hide. But then we are very bothered with someone who is obsessed with sex. Both are evil, but one tends to be more “acceptable” because we can hide it more easily in ourselves.
We can all claim we are living for God. But how else do you prove you understand something unless you do it? Live your life the way He commands and put those things into practice. We can learn to think differently than we do now. If we do not change our actions though, that kind of learning is worthless.
