A Teachable Spirit

Chuckle: "The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public." --George Jessel

Quote: "Christianity cannot be taught. All that you can do is clear the young mind and put it in a fit state to receive the Holy Spirit." --Sir Richard Acland Quoted Llew Gardner

"Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you" (Psalm 25:5 NLT).

Do you have an open mind and a teachable Spirit? Are you eager to learn from others and, more importantly, from our Lord Himself? Sometimes pride can make us resistant to teaching, and this same pride can prevent us from letting God show us the path He wants us to take in life. Pride can also make us selective learners -- willing to be taught when the teaching corresponds to our preconceived ideas about the value of that which is being taught.

There is a story about a man who wanted to train his mule. The first thing he did was to pick up a big stick and hit the mule a resounding wallop between the ears. As the mule staggered about, someone said to him, "What is the matter? Why did you do that?" The man said, "To teach a mule, you must first get his attention."

The above may or may not be true of mules, but there is substantial truth in it when applied to humans. For God to teach us, we must allow His Spirit to get our attention and awaken within us a desire before learning of Him can occur. In other words, our want to must come before God can teach us the how to. Our willingness to let our Lord guide us and teach us is a reliable measure of our love for Him.

Jesus said, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teachings . . . But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:23, 26 NIV). In our Psalm passage, David expresses his urgent desire for God's guidance and teachings to give direction for his life. Jesus says His words, as illuminated by the Holy Spirit, will provide that direction for us.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach the disciples and remind them of the truth of His words. He wanted them to prove their love for Him by learning and obeying His teachings. He wants the same from us.

As we adopt a teachable spirit, we will eagerly study the truths of God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to plant and cultivate those truths in our hearts and minds. He will teach us God's will, and remind us when we stray from it.

Love, Jerry & Dotse