Be Teachable

A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;a young mocker refuses to listen.

Proverbs 13:1

There is a clear line drawn between someone who is wise and someone who isn’t. And one of the defining marks is “a teachable spirit.”

A foolish person won’t learn. She already knows it all. She thinks she knows better than anyone else. So you are wasting your breath to try to talk out a problem.

Whether it is at work, in a ministry, among friends, or in a family, everyone just leaves a foolish person alone, because if you do talk to her, she is going to be offended and defensive. I hope I am not talking about you . . . and I hope I am not talking about me.

On the other hand, there are some precious people who are a delight to be friends with and to serve with. They are open, receptive, growing, and eager to learn. It’s refreshing. It is easy to trust them, because they are not going to undermine people, hold grudges, or get set in a defensive box. On top of that, I feel like I am not only able to minister to them, but I always learn from them. One of the great keys is that a teachable person is constantly open, listening and learning from God!

Hebrews 3:7 warns, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the day of rebellion’” (NKJV).

So, who are you in this picture? And the important question now is, who do you want to be?

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

“A wise child accepts discipline.” Are you a parent, supervisor at work, or ministry leader who sometimes has to correct or discipline someone? You can make it harder or easier to receive. The definition of discipline is “training that develops self-control, character, orderliness, and efficiency.” Don’t come down like a hammer. When you discipline, it should not be to punish, but to train. It is to help that person grow, not just for your benefit, but theirs. Next time, before you speak, will you pray? Ask God to give you words that build up and direct, not tear down and discourage.

One Year Bible Reading

Joshua 5:1–7:15; Luke 15:1-32; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 13:1