So often we get caught up in the idea that being smart is about how much you know.  You may have all book smarts, but no common sense. You wanted to be the best and do the best. Maybe you were an over-achiever some would say. Others would say that you were a perfectionist.

So many people expect much of you and if you take that ‘bait’ without good consideration it can have a negative impact. You may decide to get some common sense. The truth is sense really isn’t all that common, you know. For me, it will come with a price. You may be trying hard to get more life experience and natural sense and your book smarts can be decreased.

I have long since decided that being smart is not about how much you know or how you know it, but it’s about what you know and how you use it. I often pray, “Lord, help us not only to read your word but to apply it to our lives that we may be changed.”

I remember how I got all those book smarts in school. I listened, I took notes and I memorized. As soon as I finished the test the information was gone. So often we do the same with the word of God. We read and forget. Tests come our way and we fail time and again. Why? Because we have not committed the answers to memory and applied them to our lives. These few simple things will help us on the path to exponential growth in Christ:

1. Meditate on the word of God: Read a few verses one, two, ten or twenty times until you begin to hear it speak to you. The bible tells us to hide the word of God in our hearts (Psalm 119:10). When we chew on the word of God, again and again, we begin to enjoy the many flavours of meaning; we begin to see how God is speaking directly to something in our lives. Consider Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
   What is the first thing that comes to mind when you read it? Say it out loud. Are you hearing something new and different? Once you meditate on the word of God you then need to believe it in your heart.
2. Believe that it is true: If you do not believe that God’s word is true and His promises are for you then you can never grow in the Lord. So many times we choose to believe the lies of the enemy over the truth of God simply because we don’t know what God says. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus has come that we might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10). The bible says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.”(Proverbs 23:7). We need to hide the word of God in our hearts and believe that we are, we can be, we have, we will have, and we can do all that His word promises. We need to live by faith rather than our feelings. The word of God does not change like the ocean tide. If I feel ugly today, my faith tells me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am created in the image and likeness of God and I am a masterpiece. He has given me beauty for ashes, strength for fear, gladness for mourning and peace for despair. Search your Bible“` and you’ll find it to be true of you- every last word.
3. Finally, we must confess the word of God over our lives and the lives of those around us. What does that mean? When we find ourselves trying to make decisions or facing difficult situations, we need to know what God’s word says and speak it out loud. We need to encourage ourselves in the midst of our situation with the word of God. For example, if you are sitting with a group of people who have nothing positive to say about your teacher or your boss (or fill in the blank with any other person) then examine your heart. What word have you hidden in there that you need to confess with your mouth? The bible says “within the tongue lies the power to speak life or death” (Proverbs 18:21). Remove yourself from the conversation and choose not to speak ill or gossip about another person. Instead, speak encouraging words that will help you and others to get rid of bitterness and anger. Choose to speak words of life. Another example we can relate to is this: Imagine that you are waiting for some news about a family member who is not well. You may be worried and begin to think about all the negative possibilities. You could choose instead to confess the word of God to yourself. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God; and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Let us go forth from this day in the Name of the Lord fighting and to conquer. This is truly the day that the Lord has made so let us rejoice and be glad. This is our time to lead the way and let the world know that Jesus is still Lord.