Unteachable Spirit–BEGONE!

 

Have you ever had a conversation about something you have learned and the person you are speaking to can’t wait for you to stop speaking so they can tell you EVERYTHING they already know about the subject? It frustrates me.

Have you ever been really frustrated about something someone else does and the Holy Spirit is kind enough to point out that you do the same thing? Awkward.

If you know me, you know that I am passionate about life groups. I’ve been leading them for about 7 years and attending them for another 7 years before that. I even had the opportunity to train other life group leaders on several occasions. Blah Blah Blah! I don’t think it has been all bad but my heart attitude stinketh! Let me explain.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a life group facilitator training. I was nervous to go because I didn’t really know anyone and, hindsight, I believed I didn’t have much to learn. I’ve been doing this for a long time for crying out loud…what else is there, right?

I prayed on the way over, asking that the Lord “help” me be humble…and maybe teach me a tip or two. HA!

Ten minutes into the training, the LORD didn’t “help” me be humble, HE humbled my tail!

Ten minutes into the training, I was repenting and having my heart cleaned out of some sticky pride. I’m so grateful.

Unteachable spirit—BEGONE!

I wondered if anyone else could see the Holy Spirit spanking I was receiving right in that very room as I quietly shed tears of repentance.

I was forgiven immediately and I went on to learn a lot that morning. His training was phenomenal! This man has a passion for life groups but his passion for life groups is just an overflow from his passion for JESUS–first and foremost.

I left that training wanting more of Jesus. This was a training y’all…not a sermon or a praise and worship service.

Oh how I want that in my own life, in everything that I do, everything that I say…that people would walk away from me and want more of Jesus.

I want my home to be a place where Jesus is revealed, relationships can build and grow and, as a result, lives are transformed.

It is not about me and what I know. It’s about JESUS.

Why are we so afraid of just admitting that we don’t know everything? I mean, sometimes I think we are afraid of admitting it to ourselves. I think some of us struggle with a sense of shame when we just don’t know something or at least look like we know something. We can flip it in all directions…it’s still the same heart issue—Pride.

I remember about a year and a half ago, I started intense counseling with another phenomenal person. In the very beginning, I started trying to let her know everything I already knew. She got frustrated with me and was quite bold in saying something like “yeah yeah Debbie…so you know a lot…I get it…but if you already know everything then why are you here?”

That hurt me…and frankly, at that time, I had much anger to work through to really appreciate what she said…but it was the best thing she did for me. Humbling me in that way enabled me to get the heck out of the way so that we could start to work on stuff in my life that was hindering my walk with Jesus.

I want to encourage you…You don’t have to know everything…because, first, let me remind you (and me) that you don’t. Instead, be blessed by having a teachable spirit and enjoy learning FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

It’s freeing really, quite refreshing, to just be okay that you are a human who needs Jesus in EVERYTHING. Rest in that. It’s awesome. I hope I can remember this lesson forever and ever.

Be quiet once in a while and just listen to someone else for a while. It may change your relationships with certain people if you aren’t always trying to be all-knowing…or pretending that you are anyway.

And when you do talk…talk about how awesome Jesus is and what He can do… instead of vomiting what you can do and what you know all over the place…it just makes a mess.

All we have to do is just be available to be used by God. He will take care of our ability and what we need to get His work done.

Now don’t get me wrong and go to the far extreme. There is something you need to do. The Bible says to seek wisdom like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures (Proverbs 2:4) and to make our ear attentive to wisdom and incline our heart to understanding (2:2) and if we do that we will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God (2:5).

Ultimately, true wisdom is from the LORD. He gives it to the upright. Not to make us boastful and prideful but to protect us and to instill in us a desire to walk in His ways.

Thank you to the people who have taken the time to invest in me. Thank you Jesus for your discipline and how you love your children. May we respond in humble obedience.

Proverbs 3:7-8 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

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