When our kids were growing up, we spent a fair amount of time teaching them something (tying shoes, catching a ball, the alphabet, setting the table, etc.). Usually that went pretty well. They were all smart kids, and were eager to try and learn new things. There were times, however, when they would either not listen or would think they already knew something or had a better idea of how it should be done. For us, the "teachers" it was sometimes frustrating and sometimes comical.
After trying and trying to do some new skill their own way, they were more than willing to settle down and listen to instruction from parents who knew very well how to do that skill. I often thought how much time they could have saved all of us if they would have been willing to just listen and learn.
On Sunday we talked about the Holy Spirit being given to us as our Teacher. We talked about how He instructs us and in so doing helps us avoid significant problems in our lives.
There are two parts (at least) to this equation. The Holy Spirit teaches us. That is His part and He is faithful to do His part. He is the Spirit of Truth (John 15:26) and what He teaches us is important in our journey of learning to resist temptation to sin and and become what He desires for us to be. We can rely on Him, because He guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
The Holy Spirit's part is teaching. Our part is learning what He teaches. How do we learn? Well one of the obvious answers to that question is that we need to listen, and then we must obey. The Holy Spirit is in us if we are in Christ, and so He is along with us on our spiritual journey. If we listen, we will hear Him teaching us what is the right way to be, think, act, rest, stand, pray, and on and on.
The question is, are we listening? Just as my kids sometimes didn't listen and only let me teach them after finding that doing it their way didn't work so well, sometimes I think we do that with the Holy Spirit. When we find ourselves messing up it may be that the Holy Spirit is talking and we just aren't listening. We need to, like the psalmist, have a burning desire to learn truth.
Psalm 86:11 "Teach me your way, oh Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."
Do you want to know how to walk with God and please Him? The Holy Spirit is your teacher. Listen, and learn!
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Sometimes I think I don't hear God, but then I realize that I hear him but he's just not saying what I want to hear at the time. I just need to want to hear what he has to say. Why can't I ever get that?
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