Do we learn our lessons? Do we know HOW we can ‘prove’ that we have learned? Two simple and observable ways: 1- do we apply what we learn and 2- do we repeat mistakes/sins? Do we truly ‘see’ ourselves?
With every learning there is an opportunity to refine ourselves… look us in our eye and say – ‘what have you learned and what will you do with the new understanding?’ (and if you don’t talk to yourself… you should). You do appreciate, don’t you, that the telling of the tale of ‘learned’ is application? Is there a change, an improvement, an application of learning? I think the point is to ‘prove’ to ourselves what we learn and how we demonstrate it. And no, it doesn’t mean you have to have all the understanding of the ‘attributes’ of the lesson in place before you begin acting on what it is you do know.
I’ve said it multiples times that knowledge alone is never sufficient (nor can you unknow what you know). In the seeking of wisdom, knowledge begins the journey and understanding is the fullness.
“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].” (Proverbs 4:7, AMP)
Earlier in Proverbs (3:4-6, AMP) we read:
“So find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
Those few verses give us not only the foundation for know, understand, apply but the how’s and the results. But it is our decision to follow these instructions or ignore them. We can’t just acknowledge them in our minds as probably the best way to attain wisdom, it has to be a mindset, an action, a way of being in our lives. Also look at what we receive when we do follow this path: favor, high esteem, straight and smooth paths. Those should be highly sought after.
What do we need to do, how do we demonstrate what we learn? By seeking godly wisdom, spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, (the best 3 descriptions of understanding I’ve ever read) not relying on our own insight/understanding But in ALL our ways know and acknowledge and recognize the Lord. which is who we demonstrate what we learn. I would also argue that what we learn is never one and done, but that it forms our basis for further understanding.
Have we learned? Have we searched for meaning, understanding, and application? And once we have begun this approach and practice of learning… do we continue?
