Proverbs 15:31-32. 31The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
How opinionated are you? How teachable are you?
I know many people who are extremely opinionated and who aren’t teachable. They can’t handle reproof (being corrected), and they would rather do things their own way than listen to instructions. Rather than learn something new from someone, they would rather insult or ignore the ways of others, assuming that their way is the best one.
The question for all of us is, are we growing into a teachable person or an opinionated person who always “knows better” than everyone else and can never be corrected or disagreed with?
Our proverbs warn that the unteachable person isn’t just despising those who are trying to instruct them, they are despising themselves. They are self-deceived. They think they have already “arrived,” and that there is nothing left for them to learn. But when they think this way they actually hate themselves. Why would Solomon say this? Because any time we fail to be teachable by God and others, we are only hurting ourselves and our relationships with others (whether we know it or not). When we fail to listen to reproof and correction, we are doomed to repeat all the same mistakes over and over again.
The root issue is pride – the sin beneath every sin.
By contrast the person who receives not just instruction but also reproof is on a path of wisdom. This person is humble and knows that they have much to learn. They don’t assume their way is best. They admit mistakes and seek advice.
If you are a Christian, you should already know this path well. You simply cannot be in Christ without having listened to life-giving reproof. The New Testament calls this repentance. The Holy Spirit’s conviction is God’s reproof. The gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s instruction. To receive both is to dwell among the Wise.
It truly is almost impossible to imagine someone in Christ who ignores instruction. Receiving instruction IS the Christian life. We receive the implanted word. We receive the instruction of the Holy Spirit moment by moment. We receive the instruction of the church. We receive the instruction and reproof from the God-ordained authorities that he has placed in our lives.
You see, we don’t just dwell among the wise when we are in Christ; the Wise dwells IN us. And the Christ in us leaves no room for the pride and hubris of the opinionated and unteachable.
You: Are you teachable?
You in Christ: How does being in Christ actually make us more humble and open, rather than closed off to instruction and reproof?
Christ in you: What is Christ trying to correct in you lately? Are you listening?
Pray: Father your wisdom dwells in me in the person and work of Jesus your son. Let his humble spirit become mine as well. I want to be teachable and open to others. Amen.
To Live is Christ 