Knowledge Is Not Power

[S] Matthew 27:18 --
 ¹⁸For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.

[O] The Pilate already knew in his mind why the Jews turned over Jesus to him for a trial.  He knew that it wasn't anything other than due to envy against Jesus for no real crime.  His knowledge of this did not, however, change the course of his actions which ended up in pleasing the crowd instead of standing up for what he believed.  The knowledge is something that satisfied my mind but unless it moves into my actions and into the routines of my life, it is not real part of my life at all.  For example, a good musician or athlete is not recognized by how much knowledge they have on how to play an instrument or the game but how well they actually put them into practice.  Furthermore, getting to the point of integrating the knowledge into my life is a gradual process of gluing on layers and layers of practicing the actual transferring of knowledge into actions (through trials and errors I'm sure).  Pilate was used to separating his knowledge from his actions which focused on pleasing the public to sustain his popularity most likely and that's what was displayed here.  What will I be used to doing myself in times of crunch like these?

[A] My tendency is to soak up more knowledge through the various means of sources around me -- the Internet, newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, classes, seminars, etc. -- as if more knowledge makes me more equipped or powerful; and in my walk with God: more spiritually mature.  I am realizing that how much of my knowledge gets interwoven into my daily practices of life instinctively is what's going to transform me into a more spiritual follower of Jesus.  More so than writing my reflections in this journal, I am going to begin to practice what I glean from my devotions of God's word, not matter how small it may seem.

[P] Dear God, may I not fool myself by gathering more knowledge of how to live out Your calling in my life, but start to practice them beginning with small things.  I do not want to wait for some grand tasks from You for me to manage in Your ministry before I first exercise smaller, routine instructions into my life.  Please continue to empower me through Your wonderful Holy Spirit so I may not meander around this simple concept.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.