Willing to Learn

I’m presently working on a short teaching series on how to study the Word of God. It’s not the only way or necessarily the best way, but a way I’ve found to be very successful. Its premise is based on the old saying “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime.”

In the spirit of full disclosure, I don’t like to fish. I have friends and family that do, but in the world of fishing I’m a “give me a fish” kind of guy.

As a result, I can’t speak with much authority on the subject but I did love to fish as a child and have some basic understanding on what’s required, and will be covering that in the series. There are also some fundamental things needed when it comes to the study of Scripture.

If you seriously want to know the Word of God, not just passively but intimately, one of the questions you must ask is, “Am I willing to learn?”

We sometimes say we sincerely want something in life, whether it be good health, better finances, or spiritual growth, but are unwilling to do what’s required.

You can say you want to be healthy but if you refuse too change a bad diet, you’re self-deceived. You can say you want to be financially healthy but if you’re not willing to cut out frivolous purchases, you’re self-deceived. You can say you want to grow in faith but if you’re not willing to learn, you’re self-deceived.

When my nephew Jason came to Texas a few years ago, he was trapped in a life of addiction. If you don’t believe God can miraculously change someone, I’d ask you to spend an hour with Jason today.

While I knew what Jason was up against, I also knew only God could bring the deliverance and healing he needed. My role was to love him and give him a safe space.

It was approximately 9:40pm on the night Jason landed in Austin and we were having a late dinner at Torchy’s Taco’s in Pflugerville. I said, “Jason, I don’t have a set of rules you have to live by. You and I are just going to do life together. I have only one request. Don’t lie to me. No matter what it takes, never lie to me. It may be hard for you to speak the truth, and it may be hard for me to hear it, but if we’re going to get through this you can never lie to me.”

And he never did.

Did God deliver Jason because he honored my request?

No.

But it was evident to me, and perhaps even Jason, that he was willing to do whatever it took to be free.

If you’ve never walked along side someone trapped in addiction you may not know how proficient one can be at lying, and when you breech that trust, it makes the road exponentially more difficult. I’m willing to walk alongside someone no matter how dark the days may get, but if they’re unwilling to be honest with both of us, the walk will be futile.

So today, perhaps you’d like to take a moment to reflect on what you “really” want in life.

Then ask yourself, “Am I willing?”

By Published On: January 16th, 2025Categories: Brooks0 Comments on Willing to Learn

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