Today I am reminded once again how important it is that as biblical counselors and disciplers we do not merely learn for the sake of knowledge.
All of the books we read, and conference sessions we attend will do nothing for us if we do not put into practice what we learn. In fact, knowledge can be a dangerous thing sometimes, lulling us into a false sense of thinking that all is well with us when in fact our hearts have grown hard. When this happens it is clear that we are not applying what we have learned to our own lives.
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 1 Cor. 8:1 (NKJV)
Before you begin your weekend, and as you prepare to go to the house of the Lord on Sunday, take a critical look inside yourself; examine yourself as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to be sure you are in the faith! Examine yourself and more importantly as the Lord to search your heart (Psalm 139: 23,24) and uproot the wickedness that has grown there!
As one who has been entrusted with biblical knowledge and wisdom do not become a fool, thinking and believing that what you have learned does not apply to you first. It is said in our biblical counseling circle, "The best counselor is a good counselee." I completely agree with this statement. We must continue to self-counsel, applying the Word of God to our hearts and allowing- no begging God to do His finest work within us so that we may assist others who have fallen into the pit of sin.
In Romans 2 Paul was speaking to the Jews who believed they were "in" with God because of their heritage. What he said to them could easily be applied to those of us who profess to be biblical counselors:
...and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. Romans 2:19-24 (ESV)
Be careful you do not fall into self-deception, thinking you can change your behavior's because of what you know without being changed in the inner wo/man. Hypocrisy is evident to others, and they will blaspheme the Lord because of it. You certainly won't be able to hide who you truly are to God and this is a tragic waste of the blessings and riches of His grace.