Are You Growing?

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,But he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 12:1 (NKJV)

Well, I would call that getting to the point! And you know what? Sometimes the truth should hurt. Psalm 32:9 says, “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle” (NIV).

God takes no pleasure in calling us, or anyone else, stupid or a mule. So how can we avoid these pitfalls? By being teachable. An eagerness to learn and grow and change is really a building block of wisdom and the antidote for stupidity.

May I ask you, Are you growing? One of the great thrills of being a Christian is that we can always be growing. I love to be around brand-new Christians. They have a thousand questions. But I also love to be around older Christians who are just as hungry. Have you become dull and stunted? Let me suggest three ways to spark your appetite:

1. Pick up a Christian biography. When I read about a life like D. L. Moody’s or George Müller’s, I feel challenged and inspired. I learn fresh insights from some of the trials and victories of their lives.
2. Sign up for women’s Bible study. There are some excellent lessons written by women like Kay Arthur. Her studies teach how to dig into the treasures of God’s Word.
3. Become a student of creationism. Don’t be duped by the evolutionist lie. There are some exciting books and videos available that make learning about Creation a true joy.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

“My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. . . . Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:19, 22, NKJV). Let’s be open to exhortation from others and conviction of the Holy Spirit. And then let’s put into action what God has shown us. Let’s be teachable.

Let’s Pray

Lord, help me to really be serious about corrections and change. I don’t want to be stagnant and stubborn. Help me to be hungry to learn and eager to grow.

One Year Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 7:1–8:20; Luke 7:36–8:3; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1