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Have you ever been around a "know-it-all" ?
What were your feelings toward this individual?
On the other hand, have you ever been around someone with a teachable spirit? How did you feel toward this person?  
 
I believe that we would all agree that it was a great joy to be around a person with a teachable spirit but a total grievance to be around the "know-it-all."

When someone comes along and preaches and teaches from the Word of God, do we feel as though we know more than most and don't need any more teaching?
2 Peter 3:18 - Or do we have an eagerness to "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."? Are we hungry for more Truth from God's Word no matter who delivers it?
 
The Scriptures say much about being taught by the Lord. For the purpose of this message, we would like to look at two methods of teaching that He uses - Instruction and Training.
 
First of all, the instruction that God gives to His children is comparable to the action of shooting an arrow.
It is likened to throwing, casting, hurling, or scattering Truth abroad as seeds sown in the open fields.
It includes tutoring or coaching at times.
It also includes pointing out, directing, informing, showing, and instructing in a right way or course of action.
 
1. God Points Out The Right Way For Us To Take 
 
Psalm 25:12 - "What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose."
Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go..."
      
2. God Informs Us Of His Ways 
 
Psalm 86:11 - "Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy Truth..."
Psalm 119:33 - "Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end."
      
3. God Shows People The Error Of Their Ways
 
Psalm 25:8 - "Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will He teach sinners in the way."
Job 34:32 - "That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more."
 
4. God Instructs Us In The Right Way Or Course Of Action
 
Isaiah 28:26 - "For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him."
Ezekiel 44:23 - "And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane..."

So we see from the Scriptures that God points out the right way for us to take.
He informs us of His ways.
He shows people the error of their ways.
He instructs us in a right way or course of action.
 
This all comes under the topic of teaching. God - as our Instructor, Tutor, and Coach - throws, casts, hurls, or scatters Truth toward us on a daily basis. Like arrows shot from the bow, it is sent forth each day to us, directing and guiding us into the right way for our lives.

Have we converted our knowledge into wisdom?
Job 32:7 says - "I said, Days shall speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom."
Psalm 90:12 says - "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

The second method of teaching that God uses is training.
Training includes preparation, discipline, drilling, exercise, prodding, pressure, and urging. It implies the use of a goad or a rod to prod one in the right direction.
 
Ezra 7:10 - The Scriptures tell us that Ezra "prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD..."
This preparation led him to train others in the ways of the LORD - "to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
 
Psalm 25:4 tells us that we have to be trained to walk in God's paths for our lives - "Shew me Thy ways, O LORD;  teach me Thy paths."
Psalm 25:9 points out that it is the humble whom God trains - "...the meek will He teach His way."
Psalm 25:5 implies that, through the use of the Word of God as a goad or a rod, God guides us into all Truth - "Lead me in Thy Truth, and teach me..."
 
We have to be trained to walk in God's Truth and Ways.
We have to be trained to walk in His paths rather than the paths of this world or our own choosing. Just because we are saved does not guarantee that we will walk as He requires.
 
Psalm 34:11 says - "...I will teach you the fear of the LORD."
Through spiritual discipline, drills, and exercises directed by the Holy Spirit, we are trained to walk in the fear of the Lord rather than the fear of man.
 
Transgressors are not familiar with God's Ways. They have to have them pointed out to them so that they, in turn, can repent and surrender their lives to the Lord -
Psalm 51:13 - "Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways..."
 
What should be our overall attitude toward God's training program for our lives?
What should be our incentive for desiring His training?

First of all, God is Worthy of our Praise. Therefore we should earnestly seek His training -
Psalm 119:12 - "Blessed art Thou, O LORD: teach me Thy statutes."
 
God hears and answers our prayers. Hence we should earnestly desire His Training -
Psalm 119:26 - "I have declared my ways, and Thou heardest me; teach me Thy statutes."
 
God is good and always going about doing good. That is why we should earnestly desire His training -
Psalm 119:68 - "Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes."
                                                                                                       
God's mercy fills the earth. Therefore we should earnestly seek for His training in our lives -
Psalm 119:64 - "The earth, O LORD, is full of Thy mercy: teach me Thy statutes."
                                                            
Because we seek to please the Lord at all times and want His approval on our lives, we should earnestly seek after His training -
Psalm 119:135 - "Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; and teach me Thy statutes."

Isaiah 48:17 - This requires that we submit to His training and discipline - "...I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit..."
Psalm 143:10 - "Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God..."
 
Notice in this Scripture that it is not enough to simply know God's Will. We must be trained to do or perform it. "Teach me to do Thy will..." In other words, train me to do Thy will and not to carry out my own will or another man's will for my life.

We are so blessed when we submit to God's training program for our lives.
Psalm 94:12 - It is in doing so that we find True and Lasting satisfaction and fulfillment  - "Blessed is the man whom Thou...teachest him out of Thy law."
 
How are you doing in God's training program? What is your overall attitude toward His methods of preparation, discipline, drilling, exercise, prodding, pressure, and urging to get you to change and become more like Him? Have you been teachable? Or have you given Him a stiff-neck with a "know-it-all" attitude?

Constantly, He is hurling Truth our way, directing and showing us the right course of action to take in life so that we can prosper. He is also preparing, drilling, prodding, and pressuring us by using the Word of God as a goad or a rod to steer us in the right way.

Let's be humble and teachable today.
Let's allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in instructing and training us for His Glory.
 
God is taking us somewhere.
He desires for us to reach total satisfaction in Him.
These are His two methods to get us there.

Connie