The Importance of Learning and Application

Fall beverages - no pumpkin spice needed.

2 Corinthians 4:18

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (KJV)

Hebrews 2:1

“Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (NRSVUE‬‬)

Where Do We Fix our Gaze on the World or On the Lord?

Paul told the people of Corinth (and by extension us), “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  All the knowledge and worldly wisdom of our time is valuable and worthwhile, but alone it is also temporary.  Everything of this world will pass away. Even in my lifetime “truths” that were accepted as given knowledge are proved wrong all the time.  Fixing our eyes only on worldly knowledge will only allow us to eventually be wrong and could lead us in very wrong directions.

This is not in conflict with Paul's other teachings to search out knowledge, and to seek for all the beauty, wisdom and goodness we can find.  This is also not in conflict with science or studying ways to improve in your profession, trade, or with any skill you seek.  We do not need to limit the Holy Ghost or the Lord to only certain types of topics or certain types of knowledge or pursuits.  Paul did not tell the Corinthians to “not seek knowledge,” he was urging them to keep their priorities straight. He was urging us to be sure we know where our eyes should be fixed, and where our heart is.

The Light of Christ is interwoven into every type of epistemology, or methods of knowledge.  This aspect of the Light of Christ helps us classify all things as morally right or wrong. We should use this as we work to gain knowledge and skills in the world we live in, no matter the type of pursuit.  The Holy Ghost can use various sources to testify of Jesus Christ to help us believe in him. From artistic endeavors, to mathematics, to economics, physics, medical sciences, reading for entertainment, or just working to improve our physical skills. The Holy Ghost can work with us wherever we are and on whatever knowledge we are pursuing.  What is important is where we fix our gaze, on the world or on the Lord.

What I love about the teachings of Paul, is the practicality of them. As we learn in all our pursuits, how do we keep that knowledge and how to we become new people who are willing to follow the Lord?

Pay Greater Attention to Not Drift Away

We should all learn to give greater attention and work harder to remember and to implement all the good things that we learn in this life. From good books, great art, from our teachers, parents or friends, or any other source of wholesome and righteous materials we gain great insight and ideas. We should of course also (and even especially so) give heed to the things we learn of the gospel. As we read the scriptures, as we study and learn, from prophets of old or from those of the modern day, we should be working to better remember and implement the things that we learn. Our goal is not just to know things, but to become something better. Paul reminds us in Hebrews chapter 2, that we must pay greater attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away. I like that many of the Bible translations used terms about US not “drift(ing) away” rather than “letting it slip away” like the king James version does. That makes it more about us taking action or about us becoming something rather than just remembering facts and concepts. As we pay greater attention, as Paul tells us to, and as we work to implement what we learn, we will become more like Christ.

As I read this recently, I wrote down some practical ways I have been trying to use as I study and learn.

• Write your inspirations down. Write down the great things you learn. Keep a journal. For me it means I read a bit slower, but I learn quite a bit faster.

• When you are having tough times or doubts, review what you wrote in that same journal. Pull up what the thoughts you had and the writings you made in the past to remind yourself of the wisdom you have already gained. Remember the inspiration or revelation you have received in the past. Don’t “drift away,” remember what you have heard in the past.

• Don't just read., listen, or look. Look inward to yourself and find ways you can implement and improve yourself.

• Then do it. Don’t only write it, or read it. Put it into action. Try it out. Test it. You will know if it is true or if it works.