David – a Man Who Sought to Do God’s Will
Show me your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. (Psalms 25:4)
In the Psalms we hear David repeatedly calling out to God asking for His guidance and instruction. Listen to David’s words and observe the connection between being teachable and doing the God’s will.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me: for you are the God of my salvation; on you do I wait all the day. (Psalms 25:5)
Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a level path, because of my enemies. (Psalms 27:11)
Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth: unite my heart to fear your name. (Psalms 86:11)
Teach me to do your will; for you are my God: your Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalms 143:10)
Through David’s words we learn of the relationship between being teachable and following God. When we pray for God to teach us, we must accompany our request with a heart and desire to do His will. As we seek to know God’s will, we must understand that the process of discerning God’s will for our lives requires us to learn from Him; it is therefore imperative to be of a teachable spirit.
Jesus – The Greatest Example of a Teachable Spirit
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:40)
If anyone exemplified learning God’s will by being teachable, it was Jesus. Imagine his assignment for a moment. Leaving the glory of heaven, he become an infant. He was born into a world saturated with sin having the assignment of living a faultless life unto death. It is no wonder that Jesus clung so closely to His Father, seeking His will and being ever sensitive to His leadings and promptings. “Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do: for whatsoever things He does, these also does the Son likewise.” (John 5:19)
Jesus showed us that our ultimate teacher is not man, but God our Father. By giving us the Holy Spirit, the Father has made it possible for us to also listen to Him and learn to follow his leading. “But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)
The Apostles – Led by the Holy Spirit
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
The Apostles and first disciples were instructed by Jesus not to proceed with their mission of saving the world without the power of the Holy Spirit. As we read through the book of Acts, we see how the Holy Spirit not only empowered, but also instructed the disciples in the way they should go.
"When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn't allow them." (Acts 16:6-7)
It is tempting to try doing God’s will in our own wisdom and with our own strength. Instead of trying to figure everything out in our heads, we should aim to know God’s Spirit more intimately in our hearts. Learning to hear from God and follow His leading will accelerate His work around the world.
God’s Word – Written for Our Instruction Today
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)
As Christians today we are so fortunate to have the Spirit of God living within us as well as the Word of God to guide us. God’s Word reveals to us the way of salvation so we can come to know the Lord. (2 Timothy 3:15) It also teaches us how we should live and conduct ourselves in this world. The Word of God is truly a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105) God's Word gives us discernment and helps us to grow mature. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
Spending time in God’s Word is essential to our growth in Christ. But simply reading the Bible won’t do the trick. We must approach God’s Word with a teachable heart and a willing spirit. "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." (Psalms 119:18) We must listen to how God speaks to our hearts through His Word and then act on what He teaches us. (Matthew 11:15, James 1:22) Life becomes exciting when we quiet our hearts and listen to our Father’s whisper. (Isaiah 30:21) Open your heart to the Lord today and ask him in sincerity, “Lord, teach me your ways.”
