A Teachable Spirit

Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. (Pro 19:27)

One of the most important attributes of a humble Christ follower is a teachable spirit. At one level, it should be obvious that when you stop listening you stop learning. But the danger is deeper than that. The real danger is letting pride overtake my heart. If I think I have nothing to learn from others, I will soon find that I am not listening to God, either. “Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Rom 1:22 NASB) is how Paul described such men. My knowledge is always incomplete and imperfect in this life. I must continue to study God’s Word and to learn. And I must continue to read and listen to the teaching of godly men, as an important check against my own errors of interpretation. Lord, I want to have a teachable spirit. Convict me when pride raises its ugly head. Sanctify me by your Word – both to know it and to obey it. Amen.

Scholar's Snare

The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God. (1 Cor 8:2-3)

I sometimes hear Bible teachers who sound like they have it all figured out. They teach their interpretations as fact and it seems there is nothing in the Bible that puzzles them. Pride is a snare for these men. You can hear their pride in the way they speak of other interpretations and those who teach them. As a teacher and a discipler of others I want always to stay humble. I must remember that the Bible is infallible but none of its interpreters are – including me.

There is another snare in this focus on learning. It is that learning about God may become a substitute for loving God. Too much focus on the life of mind may drive out the desires of the heart. My passion must always be for God, and not for any idea or doctrine. I want to know him better, love him more, and follow more closely in his footsteps. When we love God, what we need to know will be made clear to us – which may be a whole lot less than what we’d like to know. When we love God we will find ourselves loving others. This is the life to which we are called. Not a sterile academic perfection but the gospel lived out in sacrificial love. Lord, forgive me for those times when I have been more concerned with being right than with being good. Teach me humility and compassion. Amen.

Let No Sin Rule

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. (Ps 119:133)

Lord, I know I have often let sin rule over me. It rules me when I heed its lies and I stop my ears to your voice. Direct my steps to a walk of obedience. Your Word shows me the path of righteousness. Thank you for the conviction this verse brings. Thank you today for a glimpse of what my life would be like if I truly lived it for you. Lord, do not abandon me to my foolish ways. Discipline me when I stray and when I repent encourage me to stay the course. A life lived for self is a life utterly wasted. I surrender my life once again. You are my Lord and my God. Your Spirit lives in me and you have given me the power to live according to your Word. Lead and I will follow. Amen.

Fount of Wisdom

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Pro 1:5)

There is never a point at which we have learned all we need to learn from God and his Word. This verse from the introduction to the book of Proverbs reminds me why I read it every month. I suppose some would think it foolish to read something over and over again. And I would certainly be embarrassed to admit to you how many times I read Lord of the Rings when I was younger! But the Bible is different. It is God’s Book. Though written by human authors, every word was inspired by the Divine Author. It contains a depth of wisdom and understanding far beyond any other book. In a hundred readings we could not uncover it all. Every month a new verse leaps off the page and connects with some part of my present experience. Lord, thank you for the gift of your Word. Speak to me through its pages. May I never tire of reading it. Amen.

Sin of the Sadducees

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” (Mt 22:29)

The Sadducees tried to trip up Jesus with a tricky question about the resurrection, but Jesus would have none of it. He rebuked them because they knew neither God nor his word. The funny thing is, the specific question they asked is one that I don’t think any Bible scholars would know the answer to today if Jesus’ answer had not been recorded here in Scripture. So why was he all over them? Because he could see their hearts. The cynical, worldly Sadducees didn’t even believe in the resurrection; they just wanted to make Jesus look foolish. So Jesus goes straight to the heart of their issue: “You do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”

So my first thought when I read that is, stupid Sadducees! You tell ‘em, Jesus. But I have to stop and ask myself, do I really know the Scriptures and the power of God? And I think the answer is, much less than I like to think. Do I live my life like someone who believes in a God who raises people from the dead? Do I experience the power of God in my life? Do I expect God to move powerfully in my life? If I had really taken the Scriptures to heart I would. I think I talk like a disciple but live like a Sadducee. Lord, help me to expect great things. Help me to have faith that you will act in a mighty way. You are the God who raises men from the dead! You rose from the dead! No question is too hard for you and no problem too great. Remind me of that when I falter. Keep me from the sin of the Sadducees.

Slow Learners

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. (Heb 5:11)

Ouch! The author of Hebrews doesn’t pull any punches. He has just been explaining that Jesus is a “high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” No doubt if the Bible were a college, Hebrews would be an upper level course. But the author doesn’t say, “It is hard to explain because it is complicated.” He says, “It is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.”

What makes us slow to learn? Ask any teacher. It’s not the brightest kids who learn the most; it’s the ones who make the effort. In this passage the author of Hebrews chides his readers for not investing the time, for not being like “the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (v14) In this respect we are no different than the New Testament readers of Hebrews. Why is it so hard to invest the time to study the Bible daily? The flesh rebels. There are so many other things to do with our time. Bible study is like an investment. We invest a portion of our day in it consistently and over time we reap great rewards. But there are always other things we could spend our money on that will yield immediate gratification. And so with our time as well.

Lord, thank you that you have brought me to a place in my life where I have been reading your Word consistently every day. Forgive me for taking so long to establish that discipline. Help me to overcome the daily temptation to spend this time in other ways. Help me to keep my priorities straight. Thank you for the blessings that I receive when I am faithful to stay in your Word. Amen.

Knowing God's Will

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:2)

I frequently wonder what God’s will is in various situations. I marvel at the clarity that some of my friends seem to have at discerning his will. This verse is telling me that the secret to knowing – and doing – his will is to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. The world has certain patterns of thought, and they are far from the heart and mind of God. (Is 55:8) If instead I would have the mind of Christ (I Cor 2:16) I must steep myself in his Word and meditate on his truth. The renewal of a mind is not a simple or a quick process. It takes the persistent pursuit of truth and the consistent application of it, to be conformed to his pattern rather than the world’s. Lord, I give you my thoughts; let them become your thoughts. I give you my mind; fill it with your truth. Teach me your ways, that I would walk in them. Amen.

The Mirror Doesn't Lie

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (James 1:23-24)

The word of God is like a mirror. When I look into it, it reveals to me what I am really like. If I never look into the word of God I might never see my own sins and shortcomings. James says when I listen to the word I should do what it says. Imagine if I looked in the mirror and saw that my hair wasn’t combed, my socks didn’t match, and my shirttail wasn’t tucked in, but then I walked away and did nothing. What good would that do? I need to comb my hair, change my socks and tuck in my shirttail! When I read the Bible and it shows me my sin, I need to make some changes. And when I read about the ministry God has called us to I need to act! Lord, help me to be a doer of the word.

The Foundation of Wisdom

My son if you accept my words and store up my commands within you… and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding…then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Pro 2:1,3,5)

This passage directly tells us that if we want to be wise (“understand the fear of the Lord”) and know God we must devote ourselves to studying his word and to prayer. We don’t magically or instantly become wise, but as we lay up his word in our hearts and cry out to him day by day we slowly come to see things the way he sees them. And that is the foundation of all wisdom.

Plan Ahead

Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but not find me. (Pr 1:28)

When a crisis arises, those who refused to be instructed in wisdom will seek for it but not find it. Wisdom is hard to acquire “on demand”. We must steep ourselves in biblical wisdom over a long period of time so that it is slowly absorbed. Then it will be available to us in a crisis. This is why it is good for me to read Proverbs over and over again month after month, even though most of the verses don’t apply to my situation right now. They are slowly becoming familiar to me so God can call them to my remembrance in my hour of need.

Lighting the Way Home

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Ps 119:105)

I picture myself in a very dark forest at night, stumbling over tree roots and unsure of my direction. Then I remember that I have a light to guide my steps. I remove a tiny lantern from my pocket. It casts a brilliant white light in all directions. Now I can see the path clearly. There are signposts showing the way which are clearly visible in the brilliant light. I walk confidently, stepping over tree roots and following every twist and turn of the path, until I arrive at my home, warmly glowing from the light within.

Sanctified by the Truth

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (Jn 17:17)

By applying ourselves to God’s Word we are sanctified – made more like him. In Jn 8:32 when he says “the truth shall set you free” he is saying the same thing: victory over sin. It comes only through careful obedience to his Word, which is only possible as we immerse ourselves in it.

Perfection of God's Law

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. (Ps 119:160)

These are not just man-made laws. They share the same timeless perfection that God himself exhibits. He speaks from His nature and his words are perfectly good, complete and unchanging.

The Wonder of God's Word

Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
        it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
        as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
(Ps 119:129-136)

There are so many wonderful images here that illuminate how God’s Word upholds us:
v130 – it’s like the light that dawns in our understanding;
v131 – it’s like oxygen to one who is out of breath;
v133 – it’s like a guide who leads us to our destination.

“Let no sin rule over me” (v133)
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law but under grace. (Rom 6:14)