Share the Word
Blackbelts in spiritual arts
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Now Ezra had dedicated himself to the study of the law of the Lord, to its observance, and to teaching its statutes and judgments in Israel.
Ezra 7:10 (NET)
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There’s an order to expertise in anything.
First, as a beginner, you must sit down and study the material.
Then, try things out. Put it into practice, make mistakes along the way, learn more lessons, and adjust your learning.
Then, you share what you’ve learned, passing along the wisdom to others.
This is true for almost any knowledge or skill, including God’s Word.
I will note that the Word of God is living and active, so there are many extra things that happen along our spiritual journey. Something as mundane as simply passing knowledge along only scratches the surface when it comes to knowledge of the Holy God.
Nevertheless, we see this order of expertise happening here in this verse.
Something else:
Anyone who wants to master knowledge must be dedicated to it.
I see this all the time with those who seek mastery of martial arts. They are dedicated to the sport and in order to become a higher degree of blackbelt, they must be disciplined to put in the time & effort.
A spiritual leader — whether formally in the ministry or informally in everyday service — also needs to be dedicated to their study. Also to practice it and to teaching it.
This one little verse gives us the path for how to, practically, lead spiritually.
Yes, we must make room for the Holy Spirit to work. But we also must do our part, as outlined here.
It’s simple, really.
Not easy, but simple.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.