When I was a younger man, I was never short on confidence even when I lacked experience. At times this led me to assert I knew about things I did not.
Though my life is unique to me, most of us can relate to a similar season. Some of you may be in that season now. Regardless, there are times when “thinking you know” is really all we know.
To compensate for this, we need to consider how we attained the knowledge we have. Here, we will find there are many variables that contribute to what we know. What we watch, who we listen to, where and how we get our information all play a role in influencing our views and opinions.
With the impact and exposure created by the internet and social media, “thinking you know” is at an all-time high. This is evident as people speak out with certainty about issues, even when they have no direct experience regarding those issues themselves.
”Thinking you know” has given way to being sure of it for many. This can be seen in the counter-productive ways in which people are expressing their views and opinions.
Where to go for reliable information and finding voices worth listening to can be difficult. Filtering through the minutia of information and thought we are bombarded with each day can make what we know and think suspect.
The freedom found in acknowledging the possibility this can exist in each of us cannot be underestimated.
I have often said, “when I was I my twenties, I knew everything about everything. As I surpassed my fifties, I have come to realize, I have so much to learn.”
My hope in writing this is not be critical, but to give someone reason to pause and consider the possibility they too may have more to learn.
Admitting this is where a true difference can be made.
You see the key to knowledge begins with a willingness to learn and learning can only occur if we remain teachable. Being teachable occurs when we can admit to ourselves, we have a lot we can still learn.
Ironically, if we are not careful, realizing we do not know may be evident to everyone but us.
Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
