Today's devotional
It's a blunt truth, but truth nevertheless: "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid." (Proverbs 12.1) A wise person is a lifelong learner; able to be corrected and taught. The stupid person (per the writer of Proverbs) is unteachable; set in his/her ways, and convinced they are always right.
The first step in being a teachable person is to be approachable for correction. We might be surprised to learn that those closest to us are apprehensive about approaching us for correction, because of being unsure of our reaction. I've certainly learned that on numerous occasions, much to my chagrin. Correction, to be sure, is not easy (no matter which side of it you are on), but it is ultimately helpful to our growth and maturity. And so, perhaps the best approach is to be pro-active. Seek out your closest friends and confidantes and regularly ask for their assessment. Ask them: what blind sides do you see in my life? Where am I stubbornly wrong and misdirected? What are the areas I most need to grow in? Challenging as it may be to listen objectively, take in what you hear, and evaluate the truth of what was honestly shared with you.
Some of the most delightful elderly people I've met have been those who still retained childlike teachability. Rather than speaking with pride from the perspective of their years, they ask probing questions, and humbly share lessons learned. These exemplify the wise person described by the writer of Proverbs.
An important step today is to approach someone to seek counsel and correction. And, as an exercise in growth and correction, seek to learn something new today that challenges your beliefs and convictions. Truth left unchallenged easily loses its dynamic.
One of the qualifications of a church elder is that he is "apt to teach" (2 Timothy 2.24). In the original language, this phrase means that he is able to both teach, and be taught. The teacher is a lifelong learner.
What are you learning new today? What corrective measures are you utilizing to stay on track spiritually? Wise is this person who considers and acts upon these things.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
The first step in being a teachable person is to be approachable for correction. We might be surprised to learn that those closest to us are apprehensive about approaching us for correction, because of being unsure of our reaction. I've certainly learned that on numerous occasions, much to my chagrin. Correction, to be sure, is not easy (no matter which side of it you are on), but it is ultimately helpful to our growth and maturity. And so, perhaps the best approach is to be pro-active. Seek out your closest friends and confidantes and regularly ask for their assessment. Ask them: what blind sides do you see in my life? Where am I stubbornly wrong and misdirected? What are the areas I most need to grow in? Challenging as it may be to listen objectively, take in what you hear, and evaluate the truth of what was honestly shared with you.
Some of the most delightful elderly people I've met have been those who still retained childlike teachability. Rather than speaking with pride from the perspective of their years, they ask probing questions, and humbly share lessons learned. These exemplify the wise person described by the writer of Proverbs.
An important step today is to approach someone to seek counsel and correction. And, as an exercise in growth and correction, seek to learn something new today that challenges your beliefs and convictions. Truth left unchallenged easily loses its dynamic.
One of the qualifications of a church elder is that he is "apt to teach" (2 Timothy 2.24). In the original language, this phrase means that he is able to both teach, and be taught. The teacher is a lifelong learner.
What are you learning new today? What corrective measures are you utilizing to stay on track spiritually? Wise is this person who considers and acts upon these things.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
posted by steve @ 8:46 AM
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