Living Outloud: When Knowing Isn’t Enough
Let’s be honest—most of us have more access to Scripture than any generation before us. Podcasts, apps, devotionals, verse-of-the-day texts... we’re swimming in biblical content. And yet, something’s off. We know what Jesus said, but we’re not always living like He meant it.
That tension—that gap between knowing the Word and actually doing it—is what sparked our new podcast segment, Living Out Loud on the Outloud Bible Project Podcast, and is the inspiration for this blog. It’s not just about discussing Scripture. It’s about wrestling with it, walking it out, and letting it mess with our comfort zones.
Knowing vs. Doing: Why It Matters
James doesn’t mince words: “Don’t just listen to the word… do what it says.” Simple, right? But if we’re honest, it’s easier to study the Bible than to let it shape our decisions, our relationships, our Tuesday afternoons.
It’s one thing to be Biblically literate. But Biblically obedient? That’s where things get real. That’s where faith stops being a concept and starts being a lifestyle.
Application vs. Obedience: What’s the Difference?
We’ve been trying to make a distinction between “applying” the Bible and “obeying” the Bible. Application sounds wise… like putting on a bandaid. But it still feels optional. “Application” can sound like a suggestion. Not that we shouldn’t try to “apply” the Bible, but if we tend to use that word so we don’t have to wrestle with the command to obey God’s Word, we may find ourselves on a slippery slope.
Obedience isn’t optional—it’s surrender. It’s not, “Should I forgive?” It’s, “Jesus said forgive. So I will.” Even when it’s messy. Even when it costs us.
Discipleship isn’t a buffet. We don’t get to pick the parts of Jesus we like and leave the rest. It’s all or nothing. And that’s where transformation begins.
Faith That Disrupts
Here’s the hard truth: a lot of us have settled for a faith that informs us but doesn’t interrupt us. We’ve compartmentalized Jesus—Sunday morning Savior, Monday morning afterthought.
But Scripture isn’t just a historical record. It’s a living invitation. When we read about Jesus healing in Matthew 8, we’re not just reading about what He did—we’re being asked to believe He still does. Right here. Right now.
Is the Jesus in Matthew 8 the same as the Jesus in 2025? Is He the same Jesus on 123 Main Street?
That question hits different when you’re praying for healing, or forgiveness, or courage. Because if He’s the same Jesus, then obedience isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
Old Wineskins, New Moves
Sometimes the biggest obstacle to obedience isn’t culture or circumstances—it’s our own mindset. We’ve built spiritual habits around what we think Jesus can do. But what if He’s asking us to stretch, to risk, to trust beyond what we’ve known?
That’s where the prayer shifts:
“God, I don’t even know what I don’t know… but I don’t want to get in the way.”
Obedience starts with humility. Not having all the answers. Not waiting until it makes sense. Just stepping out, trusting that Jesus is already there.
Living It Out Loud
So here’s the challenge: What if we stopped trying to understand everything first, and started obeying what we already know? What if our faith wasn’t just something we talked about, but something we lived—out loud, in real time, in real relationships?
That’s the journey we’re on. Not perfect. Not polished. But honest. And if you’re tired of faith that stays in your head and never reaches your hands, we’re right there with you.
Let’s live it out loud—together.
