There’s a special energy in school hallways this time of year. The excitement for learning is contagious – especially among students in the lower elementary grades. That enthusiasm is evident in GEMS counselors as well. What a privilege and joy it is to teach girls. Do we also count it all joy when others teach and instruct us? That’s what we’re going to think on together. Let’s turn to Proverbs 9 and get some wisdom on being teachable.
BEING TEACHABLE
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
Proverbs 9:7
A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen. “Careful,” he said. “CAREFUL! Put in more butter! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Gracious! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful. CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!”
The wife stared at him. “What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?”
The husband calmly replied, “I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving” (Author unknown).
Although this story is taken to an extreme, it does raise the question: How well do you and I receive correction when it’s merited and necessary? Are we approachable and teachable? Do we appreciate or resent spouses, employers, and sisters and brothers in Christ who speak the truth in love?
Our character is revealed by the way we give and receive correction. The book of Proverbs calls those who do not listen to correction “Mockers.” A mocker is proud and arrogant. She does not listen to rebuke, resents correction, and insults and even hates those who suggest course-corrections to her (Proverbs 21:24, 13:1, 15:12, 9:8).
Wise women heed instruction from His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9). They love those who care enough to speak wisdom into their lives, even when it hurts. They apply that wisdom to their lives and experience its reward (Proverbs 9:8, 12).
It feels a little bit like sitting in a dentist chair to willingly enter into a conversation with someone who tells us that our words or actions were careless or even sinful. Correction cuts. Rebuke hurts. Those who are wise will get past that pain rather than letting it fester. They’ll pray for discernment, measure it against the standard of God’s Word, and grow through it.
Wisdom Step: How teachable are you? Be wise and loving in how you give and receive correction.
If any speak ill of thee, flee home to thy own conscience, and examine thy heart; if thou be guilty, it is a just correction; if not guilty, it is a fair instruction; make use of both, so shalt thou distill honey out of gall, and out of an open enemy create a secret friend.
Francis Quaries
No comments:
Post a Comment