Instruction is
very important for those who desire to live a long and fruitful life and gain
wisdom and knowledge. Those who instruct others must first have knowledge. As
one is instructed he learns knowledge and is therefore able to instruct others.
"Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of
knowledge" (Proverbs 23.12).
All Christians should have a deep hunger and thirst for knowledge
of the God (Psalm 42.1-2; 63.1; 143.6; Proverbs 9.10; 30.3), the Father, Son
and HOLY SPIRIT. The way to gain that knowledge is through the study of the
Scriptures. The more we study the Bible the more we learn of our Father, our
Savior Jesus and the HOLY SPIRIT who dwells within all true born-again
believers.
Fools hate spiritual knowledge and seldom seek it out. Professing
Christians who ignore the greatest storehouse of spiritual knowledge in the
universe are the most foolish. That storehouse is the Bible, the Word of
Godâ” the Holy Scriptures.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools
despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1.7).
Every believer should spend most time reading and studying
(Deuteronomy 4.9-10; Proverbs 8.34; 23.12; Luke 8.15, 21; 11.28; James 1.22;
Revelation 1.3, Deuteronomy 17.19; Psalm 42.1-2; 63.1; 143.6; Revelation 1.3),
(Deuteronomy 8.3; Matthew 4.4; Proverbs 2.1-5; 8.34; 22.17; John 5.39; Acts
17.11; Romans 15.4; 2 Timothy 2.15; 3.15).
Memorizing the following passages will equip a believer to gain
strength in the faith: (Deuteronomy 6.6; Psalm 37.31; 40.8; 119.11; Proverbs
2.1; 3.1, 3; 4.1, 21; 6.21; 22.18; Isaiah 51.7; Ezekiel 3.10) and contemplating
on (Joshua 1.8; Job 22.22; 23.12; Psalm 1.2; 4.4; 19.14; 63.6; 77.12; 104.34;
119.15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148; 143.5; 1 Timothy 4.15).
Instruction is something that everyone needs in order to gain
knowledge. One should get as much as possible and no one can do without it.
Every child needs instruction from his or her parents and that is why children
are commanded to listen to what their parents teach them (Proverbs 1.8; 3.1;
4.1; 6.20; 23.22). Students need to listen to the instruction of their teachers
if they want to learn something. On the job the new employee needs to listen to
the instruction of the one training him.
The same is true in the spiritual realm. Parents should instruct
their children in the ways of the Lord and in His Word. Fathers should be the
head of the house and do most of the teaching (Deuteronomy 4.9; 6.6-7; 11.18;
32.46; Psalm 78.5). In the church the pastors and Bible teachers are to instruct
the congregation and show them how to study the Bible on their own. They are to
make disciples of everyone in the church (2 Timothy 2.2).
Christians who can study the Bible on their own have the special
privilege of being taught by God the Father (James 1.5), by the Lord Himself (1
Corinthians 2.16; 2 Timothy 2.7), and by HOLY SPIRIT (1 John 2.27). Do not
waste that great privilege. Sit at the feet of the Savior, God the Father and
the HOLY SPIRIT.
"To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of
understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and
equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and
discretion--
Listening is a very effective way of gaining knowledge and wisdom
and it is a very rare attribute. Most people want to talk and talk and only a
miniscule fraction of people want to listen. A person who listens to others is
a wise person (1.5; 8.33; 12.15; 13.1; 19.20). Everyone needs to listen and
learn from others. Christians should listen to their heavenly Father. The way
we listen to Him is by hearing, reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on
Scripture. If you want to grow spiritually listen to the Lord as often as
possible through prayer and reading the Scriptures.
"Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be
wise in your latter days" (Proverbs 19.20).
"Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply
your heart to my knowledge" (Proverbs 22.17).
When a Christian stops listening to the Lord, his or her life goes
downhill. The traits of a person who is out of true fellowship with the Lord
becomes evident with chronic manifestations of sinful behavior such as bringing
division into Christian ministries or unfairly condemning others. Scripture
tells us that even prayers from such a person are an abomination to God
(Proverbs 28.9).
He or she will stray from the Word--stop obeying it (Proverbs
19.27) and slip into a backslidden condition and will eventually walk in the
counsel of the wicked, stand in the path of sinners and sit in the seat of
scoffers (Psalm 1.1). This person's life will no longer be like a tree planted
by streams of water which yields its fruit in due season, whose leaf does not
wither. Instead of prospering, eventually this type of person will come to ruin
(Psalm 1.3).
"He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man
of understanding holds his peace" (Proverbs 11:12).
Wisdom is a precious treasure that everyone should seek after with
greater zeal, more than worldly riches or anything else (Proverbs 2.1-5).
Wisdom is more valuable than gold, silver, precious jewels or anything one can
lust after (Proverbs 3.13-14; 8.10-11; 16.16). Everyone who seeks after wisdom
on a daily basis loves his own soul (Proverbs 19.8).
Wisdom is found in the Bible. If you want wisdom directly from the
Creator of the universe, study the Bible. Study Scripture daily (Acts 17.11)
and study it diligently (2 Timothy 2.15). When you think you have studied the
Bible enough start all over and study it more than before. Never stop studying
Scripture because no one can grasp all the depths of the holy, infallible Word
of God in this lifetime.
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