Smart or just knowledgeable?
I have this thought that passes through my mind that intelligence isn't worth anything without action. (Mostly because I get frustrated with myself and occasionally because I get frustrated with others. )
In fact, can we truly say someone is intelligent or smart if they don't use it or live according to their impeccable understanding or knowledge of 'stuff'? I mean, what does it really mean to be smart? To know, to understand and comprehend well? Can we divorce knowledge from how we live? Can you remain smart but live stupid-ly? Is there really any value to knowledge unapplied?
Jesus hits on this multiple times in the bible, here's a couple:
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. -John 13:17
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. - Matthew 7:26
Seems to me that knowledge unapplied equals stupidity or foolishness according to Jesus. Is that harsh? It at least can lead to pride. How good it feels to stand at a distance and say "I know more than you do", "if only you understood" etc... Even more, knowledge is dangerous because the mere possession of it puts us at risk of damnation by it. Paul hits on this in regards to the law multiple times.
Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."[b] 8But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. - Romans 7:7-8
So, then how do we define someone as smart or intelligent? Certainly knowledge is important but I submit we need to look at it's application as equally important...
Right?
In fact, can we truly say someone is intelligent or smart if they don't use it or live according to their impeccable understanding or knowledge of 'stuff'? I mean, what does it really mean to be smart? To know, to understand and comprehend well? Can we divorce knowledge from how we live? Can you remain smart but live stupid-ly? Is there really any value to knowledge unapplied?
Jesus hits on this multiple times in the bible, here's a couple:
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. -John 13:17
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. - Matthew 7:26
Seems to me that knowledge unapplied equals stupidity or foolishness according to Jesus. Is that harsh? It at least can lead to pride. How good it feels to stand at a distance and say "I know more than you do", "if only you understood" etc... Even more, knowledge is dangerous because the mere possession of it puts us at risk of damnation by it. Paul hits on this in regards to the law multiple times.
Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."[b] 8But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. - Romans 7:7-8
So, then how do we define someone as smart or intelligent? Certainly knowledge is important but I submit we need to look at it's application as equally important...
Right?
posted by Peterzog at 5:43 PM
2 comments
