More is Less
Why Information ≠ Transformation
“If more information was the answer, then we’d all be billionaires with perfect abs.”
Derek Sivers
I must admit I laughed when I first read that quote, but it’s true.
We already know we should exercise. We know we should eat better. We know we should spend less than we make. We know we should put our phones down, get more sleep, and invest in the relationships that matter most.
Our problem isn’t usually ignorance; it’s implementation.
And Christians aren’t immune to this.
In many ways, we’ve become incredibly good at accumulating information.
We attend conferences. Listen to podcasts. Read books. Highlight Bibles. And fill notebooks with sermon notes.
We have access to more theological information than ever before, yet knowledge alone has never been the goal of following Jesus.
Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a story about two builders.
One puts His words into practice, and the other doesn’t.
Both heard His words, so the difference wasn’t what they knew.
It’s what they did with what they knew that mattered, a reminder to us that the foundation of our lives (which the house metaphorically represents in Scripture) isn’t built on hearing but on obeying.
James, the brother of Jesus, echoes the same idea years later when he writes:
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Because it’s possible to confuse information with integration.
To mistake taking notes for taking action.
To assume that because something moved me emotionally, it has somehow changed me spiritually.
But information alone doesn’t transform people; practice does.
This realization has shaped everything I’m trying to build through speaking, writing, podcasting, coaching, and our community at Kingdom South.
It’s also why I often say:
We don’t need more notes; we need the courage to act on them.
Don’t misunderstand me: learning matters, but maybe it would be helpful to practice what Pat Flynn calls Lean Learning.
He writes:
“While it’s important to immerse yourself in learning, be mindful not to fall into the trap of overconsumption. Balance is key; absorb enough to inspire and inform your actions without becoming so engrossed that it hinders your progress.”
He’s exactly right.
The goal isn’t to learn less. It’s to practice more.
Information is meant to fuel obedience, not replace it.
Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how much we know about Jesus; it’s measured by how much of what we know has made its way into our everyday lives.
As one of my mentors puts it, “You’re not deep if you can’t do it.”
So maybe this is your reminder, and mine.
Read the book.
Take the notes.
Listen to the podcast.
And then go and do.
What I Read:
The concept of Lean Learning revolutionized the way I learn, which in turn revolutionized my life. I’d encourage you to check out this book in hopes that it may do the same for you.
What I’m Listening To:
I haven’t really listened to anything that caught my attention this past week. Maybe I’ll have better luck this week.
What KS Is Up To:
This past Sunday, we kicked off our summer series, KS at the Movies. It’s our attempt to copy Jesus’ illustrative genius by using movies as modern-day parables.
The Week 1 message was based on the movie Creed. I’ll post a link to our church’s podcast so you can check out the recap.
The Week 2 message will be based on the movie Inside Out. We don’t have enough conversations about emotions in the black community or the black church, but Pete Scazzero has accurately assessed:
"You can’t be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.”