Uncomplicated: Application

Simple Faith: Why Application Matters More Than Knowledge

When it comes to faith, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that knowing more equals being closer to God. We stack up books, memorize passages, and dive into deep theological debates, hoping that one day we’ll finally “arrive” at some higher spiritual level. But can I let you in on something? Knowing more doesn’t necessarily mean living better.

Faith isn’t just about what we know—it’s about what we do with what we know.

Faith That Lives in the Bones

A friend recently said something that’s been stuck in my head ever since: “There are muscles for show, and there are muscles for go.”

Think about it—knowledge without action is like a bodybuilder with big, impressive muscles that don’t actually help him lift the real burdens of life. Those muscles may look great, but they’re just for show.

Muscles for go, though? Those are the ones that get the job done. They’re not flashy, but they’re strong, reliable, and built to carry weight.

Faith works the same way. You can know Scripture backward and forward, but if you’re not living it out, you’re missing the point. Transformation doesn’t happen in the knowing; it happens in the doing.

The Simplicity of Love

When someone asked Jesus about the greatest commandment, He didn’t give a 10-step dissertation or a theological deep dive. He kept it simple:

Matthew 22:37-39

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)

It’s not that knowledge isn’t important—it is. But knowledge alone doesn’t heal broken hearts or serve a neighbor in need.

The Pharisees were experts in religious law. They knew all the technicalities, but they missed the heart of it. They knew about God, but they didn’t really know Him.

True faith moves from our head to our heart—and then to our hands and feet. It’s expressed in the way we love, serve, and show up for others.

Start With What You Know

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to know everything to live out your faith.

In fact, the earliest followers of Jesus didn’t have theology degrees or years of experience under their belts. They heard the good news, believed it, and acted on it.

Take the Philippian jailer in Acts 16. He asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” Their answer was simple:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

That same night, he acted on what little he knew—and it changed his family forever.

If you feel overwhelmed by all the things you don’t know, start small.

• Do you believe God is loving? Share that love with someone.

• Do you trust that God provides? Give generously, knowing He’ll meet your needs.

• Do you know the joy of grace? Offer that same grace to someone who doesn’t deserve it.

Faith doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple truths, deeply applied, transform lives.

Living Out Uncomplicated Faith

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a question to ask yourself: “What do I do with what I know?”

When we shift from just knowing to actually doing, everything changes. Faith stops being a checklist and starts becoming an opportunity to make an impact—on your family, your workplace, your community.

Let’s not settle for “faith for show.” Let’s have faith that’s ready to go.

What’s one simple way you can live out your faith this week? Start small, keep it simple, and see how God works through you.