Day 3- The Wisdom of Learning

Bible Reading: Mark 4:1-20; Proverbs 4:1-7

Which of these do you typically fall guilty of, when you have a contrary opinion in a conversation?

A. Not waiting for the other speaker to end what they’re saying; you just interrupt and barge in with your thoughts

B.  Waiting for the other speaker to end what they’re saying before speaking, but you really weren’t listening all the while- you’re were just arranging your points within your head and trying to identify loopholes in your opponent’s thoughts.

– Why are you checking for another option? Check the above two and be honest!

Well, maybe we should actually be living in a third option, but if we’d be honest, it’s usually unlikely or unnatural:

C.     Deliberately hearing through, to see the light from the other side and allowing it correct and change us.

If we don’t get deliberate about having a right attitude towards learning from God, it’s so easy to take up one of the first two options in our conversations with God’s word and truth.

If we’ll be honest, God’s word doesn’t always come the way our little minds want. It is sometimes a conversation we don’t agree with. Sometimes, grace is too good to be true. Sometimes, responsibility seems way beyond us. Sometimes, God’s promises tear our minds. Sometimes, hope is way too audacious.

We really must not slip into the human tendency of sitting across the table ready to wield out our opinion over God’s word, whether subtly or aggressively. You probably might not use words like that and it might sound so wrong to admit that you don’t agree with God’s word- but really, do you?

Is it really your standard of truth? Does it really bring you to a place of absolute surrender and humility? Do you brush over it like an opinion or receive it deeply like your source of life? Do you actually have the wisdom to learn?

Today, I simply want to remind you about the wisdom of a learning posture, especially when it comes to the truth of God’s life-changing word:

1. Receive God’s word
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 NKJV

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. James 1:21 NLT

2. Rediscover your wonder
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, the crowds were utterly amazed at his teaching Matthew 7:28 ISV

3. Refresh your knowledge
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth Proverbs 4:5 NKJV

4. Renew your passion and desire
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2 NKJV

5. Refocus your life:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 NKJV

Do you really approach God with the wisdom of an ardent learner?

Let’s check- what option do you opt to pick as you hear God’s word and encounter truth in this season:

A. Not waiting for the other speaker to end what they’re saying; you just interrupt and barge in with your thoughts

B.  Waiting for the other speaker to end what they’re saying before speaking, but you really weren’t listening again- you’re were just arranging your points in your head and looking out for loopholes.

C.  Deliberately hearing through, to see the light from the other side and allowing it correct and change you

Let me be your examiner:

A, B or C? What choice do you make to live your life with? 

Something To Pray
Pray for the Lord to give you a heart posture of an ardent learner. Ask the Lord to help you not be resistant in the face of truth.

Tolulope Moody