John 9:34 (KJV)
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
-It has been said, “You can learn something from everyone you meet, even if it’s only what not to do.”
-And another, “Everyone you meet knows something you don’t.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have quipped, “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”
-A saying commonly attributed to Bruce Lee reminds us, “A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.”
Herein we find the problem with Phariseeism, whether in Christ’s day or our own. The Pharisees had determined from whom they were willing to learn. Religion, tradition, and education had built up in them a kind of arrogant pride that presumptuously demanded, “Dost thou teach us?”
I do understand that before we learn from others, we ought to consider where they obtained their information and what motives they may have for teaching it. But even our worst enemies can teach us something, so long as we aren’t so arrogant and proud as to believe we have nothing we can learn from them.
The Pharisees were not ignorant men. They had studied the Scriptures, learned the traditions of their fathers, and established themselves as authorities in matters of religion. But their knowledge had produced an attitude that prevented them from considering the truth when it came from someone they regarded as beneath them.
The man standing before them had been blind from his birth. Jesus Christ had given him sight, and he was simply testifying to what had happened. He did not possess their education, credentials, or position, but he knew something they refused to acknowledge.
Rather than consider his testimony, they attacked his character and dismissed him. They could not imagine that a man such as he might have something to teach men such as themselves.
We ought to be careful that we do not develop that same attitude. Years of Bible study, experience in ministry, or recognition among our brethren ought to make us more discerning, but never less willing to learn. A man may be wrong about many things and still be right about something. We may disagree with his conclusions while benefiting from his observations.
Proverbs 12:15 says, The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. We should never become so convinced of what we know that we are unwilling to learn something we don’t know.
#DailyVisitWithGod #John9v34 #BiblicalWisdom #HumilityBeforeGod #AlwaysLearning
The Danger of Pride: We Must Remain Teachable
Are You Willing to Learn From Someone You Disagree With?
Pride can close our minds to truths we need to hear. Ask yourself today: Have I dismissed someone's advice simply because I didn't respect their experience, education, or position?
Don't let pride rob you of wisdom God may be allowing you to discover through an unexpected person.
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