We can know lots of things, but not do them. That’s the classic quandary of what we know versus what we do. Let’s discuss this fundamental challenge!
Finding Balance
Unsurprisingly, knowing the right thing to do, and doing the right thing are, at times, two different things! Hence, our struggle with finding balance between knowing and doing.
Now, there are times that we don’t know the right thing to do. At other times, doing the right thing can have unexpected or undesirable consequences.
Out of Balance
When we’re out of balance we lean too heavily on either knowing or doing.
When we’re all in on knowing, we spend all our time looking for the perfect solution. The problem? We never get past data gathering to doing something constructive!
At the other extreme, when we’re all in on doing, we act first, then think. Problems with acting first include: never considering consequences, no planning, and a lack of focus as we bounce from one activity to another.
Finding Guidance
So, how do we find that Know-Do balance?
First, we seek wise counsel from trusted friends. Second, we rely on our own sound character and experiential insights to guide us. Third, for a person of faith, we ask God to guide us, calling on promises like James 1.5 that encourage us to ask God when we lack wisdom. Similarly, Matthew 7.7 invites us to “…ask …seek …knock …” to find what we’re looking for.
These three options are aspects of our being or inner self that enable us to establish a balance between knowing and doing.
Integrity brings light into our life, whereas ungodly belief brings darkness. Proverbs 13.9 paraphrase. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Divine Balance
In Proverbs 6.20-23 Solomon offers us a template for living in balance: BE-KNOW-DO.
In Proverbs 6.20 he encourages us to balance knowing the law (Torah) with doing the precepts (Mitsvah) or commandments, hence practical application of the law. In short, we KNOW the right thing to DO and we do that right thing. That’s the essence of the balance life.
According to Proverbs 6.21 those precepts and laws are the basis for our character transformation (“…bind them on your heart…”). That inner change is the BE, in which our being or inner self is changed by eternal precepts and divine laws. Thus, we choose intentional character transformation.
Ok, so what? The “So What” appears in Proverbs 6.22 in the form of three benefits: guidance, protection, and wise counsel. Thus, knowing wisdom by being wise hearted is good for us!
The Word Picture
To help us understand how the balanced life and intentional character transformation work together, Solomon gives us a word picture in Proverbs 6.23, using an oil-burning lamp.
The precepts are the lamp, a device for carrying around the light of the law.
But, how does this lamp produce light? It burns oil, which is the correction (“…reproofs of instruction…”) we get from life experiences.
Our beliefs or life philosophies, the precepts we live by, are impactful because they influence our life outcomes. Choose that lamp of life carefully! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Apply This Today!
The law (Torah) tells us the right thing to do. However, knowing what’s right is of little value if we choose to ignore doing what we know in our heart is the right thing to do.
The precepts, such as from the Book of Proverbs, are a guide for practical living. The problem? A precept-driven life demands reverence, self-discipline, and it strips away our pride. See Proverbs 3.34 and Proverbs 15.33 for examples.
Living in balance is made possible by a transformed character that accepts sound counsel and learns from life experiences. Balance, transformation, and divine guidance are the essentials of knowing wisdom.
A Question to Consider
The basic components of character transformation are reverence, humility, and a willingness to learn from life’s experiences. What guides your character transformation?
I’m Dale Young. My posts share the balanced life to build wise character and guide wise behavior.
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