If you are honest, you have to admit that you know far more than you are presently put into practice. If you never heard another sermon, you would have enough biblical truth to work on applying for the rest of your life. You may feel spiritually satisfied by the fact that you go to church every Sunday, that you have your devotions every day, and that you go to the Bible study every week. But if you’re not applying what you are really reading and hearing, then you are only kidding yourself. You’re forgetting the whole point of looking into God’s word in the first place….Every time you hear the word of God preached, you are training yourself to either obey or disobey God. – Ken Ramey, Expository Listening
I have a strong desire for knowledge. I enjoy studying and learning so much that I often have to remind myself to take a step back. There are times when I would rather seek more knowledge than put into practice what I already know.
Sometimes when I am reading too much, I hear the Holy Spirit asking me, “What are you searching for? What are you trying to achieve? Are you seeking more knowledge or seeking me? I am right here, waiting for your attention. Spend time with me through prayer and meditation on my word. Take a break from the books for a while.
I wish I could say that I always choose to spend time with Christ instead of burying myself in books. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. It is sometimes easier to engage with Christ through books than to engage with Him in person. Eating from the Tree of Knowledge is less demanding and sometimes more immediately satisfying than eating from the Tree of Life. Learning second-hand from a book can be less painful than learning firsthand from life experiences.
I would rather read about someone else standing up for Christ, their struggles, doubts, trials, and sufferings than to endure the same pain and suffering in my own workplace and truly grow in my faith through those experiences. Sometimes, I would rather read about prayer than spend an hour on my knees praying. I would rather read about how to nourish my marriage than actively practice what God has commanded me to do. I would rather read about budgeting than actually commit to a budget. I would rather read about fasting than actually fast. I would rather read about how to share my faith than risk the humiliation that may come with sharing my faith.
However, there is a significant difference between the type of Christian one becomes based on what they feed their soul. We become what we consume. One type of Christianity is based on head knowledge of Christ, while the other is based on a personal, heart knowledge of Christ. One is based on second-hand information and the testimonies of others, while the other is founded on personal experiences and a firsthand connection with Christ. It goes beyond just knowing about Him; it involves truly knowing Him and sharing his life.
Those who truly know Jesus can testify to His presence because they have personally encountered Him. They have walked with Him in life, like Enoch walked with God. Their faith is not built solely on the experiences and stories of others but is filled with their own miraculous encounters with God, moments when He led them in faith, rescued them, and revealed Himself in ways that only they could see with their own eyes. They are aware of what they have seen, heard, and experienced in their own lives, concerning the Word of Life. The life of Christ has been made evident to them (1 John 1:1-3). They may not have physically touched Christ as John and the other apostles did, but they cannot deny that Christ has touched them and spoken to them. They may not fully comprehend or explain it, but they know that Christ lives because God has revealed Him to them in their personal lives.
This is the difference between eating from the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life. There is something different about these Christians because of their spiritual diets. They live off practicing the word of God in their lives. They consistently recognize and trust in the hand of God in their life circumstances. They feed from the Tree of Life daily. Like Jesus, they have food to eat that the world knows nothing about. (John 4:32)
These individuals are practical because they practice what they preach. They are understanding because they have endured their own hardships. They are merciful and forgiving because they have experienced failure. They are patient because they recognize God’s patience with them. They are genuine, down-to-earth, and battle-tested. Despite being worn down and humble from their experiences, they find joy and excitement in their relationship with Him.
In contrast, those who feed off the Tree of Knowledge often find themselves disconnected. There is a wide gap between what they believe and how they act. They can never seem to play it out. They have high ideals, many good truths and sound doctrine but there is a wide disconnect between their head and their heart. There is no power. They have a form of godliness but no ability to live it out. They are always learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. They know of Jesus but they do not know Him through experience. They are often cold and unsympathetic when it comes to sinners, impatient, ungracious, because they have never entered the fire themselves. They have never been battled tested. They choose to stay where it is safe instead of following their Lord to the cross. Their knowledge of how to battle comes from others who have returned from the war and is repeated and not first hand. They can quote scripture, they know all the Christian lingo, mottos and phrases but there is a staleness about them as they are drawn from stagnant waters instead of the fresh living life giving waters of the Holy Spirit.
As Christians, it is essential to partake of the Tree of Life. We must actively apply what we learn and already know, which is more than sufficient to guide us throughout our lives if we wholeheartedly engage. We must be nourished by Christ, who exemplifies truth, faithfulness, presence, wisdom, love, and understanding in our daily lives and circumstances. We should listen for His voice amidst our difficulties and trials, asking ourselves, “What is Jesus saying to me through this? What does He want me to understand? What does He want me to learn? What does He want me to perceive? How does He want me to respond? What actions does He want me to take? How is this trial testing and strengthening my faith in Him? How can this experience help me grow in love for God and others? How is this shaping my awareness of my own sinfulness? What is God’s purpose in my life at this moment?”
We must be continually listening and obeying. We must be continually praying; talking to God, talking to Jesus as one talks to a friend. When is the last time you talked to Jesus. Just talked? If Jesus asked you in the evening before bed or in the middle of the day, “How’s it going?” What would you say? If you had the opportunity to tell God how it’s going with you right now at this point in your life, what would you say? That is what prayer is. Your opportunity to tell God how it is going. “Lord, it’s going great right now, I really appreciate such and such…” or “Lord, It’s really not going so great right now. It is anything but well with my soul. Give me hope where I see none; strengthen my feeble faith. This adversity is really showing me how week my faith is and how little I actually trust in you when tested. Increase my confidence in you”
What I am writing is not anything new or profound. It’s simply a reminder that we know far more then we are currently putting into practice. We always want to pick something up when we want to draw close to God, maybe it’s time to put everything down, come to him empty handed and simply pray.
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Psa. 62:8)
