I could have said, ‘application’ but since I write about applying what you know as often as I do, I thought I’d state it slightly differently. Webster: “…an act of putting to use; a use to which something is put”. Obviously, not a particularly enlightening definition, but accurate. But I would suggest that the only way we really know something is when we use it. Otherwise, how do we really know? How do we refine what we’ve learning and understood unless it is ‘tested’?
Knowledge that we attain, whether it be by book or experience, is something that is never unlearned. And once you ‘know’ you are responsible for that. How you (and others) know you know is when and what they see in what you do. Knowledge always impacts on action.
From a different perspective:
“We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love
edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows
nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one
is known by Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)
Being a great supporter of knowledge this is an ‘ouch’. Sadly, much of the time Paul’s accusation that knowledge puffs up is all true. In some cases it is more, in that it gives a platform for arrogance. Ouch again. But… truth is truth.
Perhaps this too is a situation of our ‘how’. How we use, apply what we know and how we present it to others says a great deal about who we are, why we are providing our knowledge, and how we make others feel when we ‘share’. Our ‘how’ indicates if our intention is to parade our knowledge, or provide another perspective to consider. Our ‘how’ is heard in our voice – arrogant, helpful, etc. The point is – how we use our ‘know’ is critical, especially if we want others to seriously consider what we say.
I believe that knowledge and understanding is a gift. And I believe that the source of that gift is the Lord. (James 1:17) He gifts us and what we do with that gift, with the application of our knowledge and understanding is our gift back to Him. How we present what we know determines our effectiveness in the ‘use’ of the gift. Knowing can be our source of pride or it can be returned to others in the form of sharing. How do you use your ‘know’?
