A Lesson... On Repeat ~ Emily Gibson
Like many people, I read a chapter in Proverbs each day. And like many people, I highlight a verse or two when it speaks to me and even write a little note on the side sometimes reflecting my thoughts on the text. Nothing unusual or special… But one day, I was flipping through Proverbs looking for something and I noticed that I made myself the same notation several times. The same thing, the same thought over and over: “Be teachable!” About every 2-3 days I would find the same notation, the same truth, reminding myself of the same thing: “Be teachable!”
The book of Proverbs, we know, is a book of wisdom. Literally – a book compiled of wise sayings, truths, and proverbs. Wisdom pertaining to spiritual things, how to treat others, wisdom in raising a family, how to treat a neighbor, etc. Figurative and literal, the use of the word ‘wisdom’ is used so many times and in so many ways, even personified as one that crieth in the streets. The entire reason we read this book is learning wisdom. I couldn’t even begin to have the knowledge required to do a study on the word in this book! I’m a little overwhelmed just by this paragraph – and yet, repeatedly I wrote to myself: “Be teachable!”
Well…Am I unteachable? I don’t know…I don’t think so… apparently myself thinks that I am. Or that I need to be reminded to stay teachable. Like a song put on repeat. Over and over, I’m writing the same thing. Am I not listening?
When I initially think of someone who doesn’t want or isn’t able to be taught, I think of a rebellious person. Someone who is rejecting the truth and doesn’t have any desire for it. Proverbs 1:29-30. “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.” But that doesn’t describe me, or my desires. Probably doesn’t describe you either, since you’re reading this devotion.
Sometimes, we may be unteachable because we are justifying or giving reasons for our choices. Those of you who parent teenagers, will know exactly what this looks like. Proverbs 15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding”. Am I guilty of this? Sure, probably sometimes (to be transparent). But it certainly is not my intent.
We may be unteachable because of a simple, but hard to overcome, hurdle called pride. We don’t need taught or instructed on something because we already know how to do it and do it well. “I got this!” However, it is clear that to attain wisdom we must have humility and fear the Lord first. Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Proverbs 11:2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
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Proverbs 18:2 tells me that a fool has no delight in wisdom and is not learning what is taught. This gives me the impression of someone not paying attention. Another reason for being unteachable is just not paying attention to God’s direction, to instructions of a teacher, or to anything really; someone floating along, dilly-dallying along the path not listening and inattentive to their surroundings. Whistling a happy tune while unbeknownst to them, the devil walketh about as a roaring lion seeking to devour them. This person is aptly named “a fool.”
Lastly, certainly not least, is the kind of unteachable spirit which most commonly pertains to me. We will just name her Mrs. Busy Spirit. She’s just like her name says: she’s a busy lady, spiritual-minded, but her plate is a little too full, she has trouble saying no, she has 87 kids, feeds even more, always has a snack, gives people a ride, teaches Sunday School and piano lessons, sings in the choir, breaks up fights, hands out band-aids, supervises chores, does the laundry and dishes, freezes crock-pot meals, coupons at the grocery store, answers emails and text messages, fuels herself on chaos and caffeine, and may have a semi-troubling eye twitch… along with a million other tasks that I don’t have time to mention. But she’s doing it all for the glory of God! Because she wants to serve God, help her church, and be the wife and mother God wants her to be. She is on the good path, doing the good things, plodding along…. BUT, is she learning? Is she listening for God’s voice? Or is the room too loud and the environment too stimulating to hear it? Is she teachable and directable to God’s wishes for her that day or at that time? Is she so strapped for time she can’t change the schedule by 5 minutes in order to follow God? Does she have the brain power to change her normal way of doing things, to try something new? Is she too busy being Mrs. Busy Spirit to become Mrs. Teachable Spirit?? (I put that a little too nicely – this doesn’t just pertain to me, this IS me!)
Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments:… Proverbs 9:8 … rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Proverbs 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Proverbs 2:10-11 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: We must receive the rebuke, love it, hear it, and then take the instructions into our hearts. If we don’t have time for this, then we do indeed have a problem. We have become unteachable even though it was not the desired outcome. Let me repeat that for those of you that are so busy that you are skimming through this devotion (I may or may not be guilty of this.) We have become unteachable even though it was not the desired outcome. (Also read Proverbs 12:1; 12:15; 3:13; 4:11-13).
As I said above, and again to be completely transparent, this is the most common occurrence for me. Through the sweetness of God, and by his Holy Spirit moving on my heart, He wants to teach me this lesson: “Be teachable!” Over and over and over again, like a lesson on repeat…And now, I am listening.