My Mind is Made Up!

Most of us are familiar with the stark declaration of God’s disdain for pride, listed as one of the seven things God hates in Proverbs 6.

Quite a dramatic and harsh condemnation is given.

In Jerry Bridges’ book Respectable Sins, he draws attention to a specific demonstration of this self important attitude that is not typically recognized as pride.

It is subtle and deceiving.

He identifies this particular display of pride as an unteachable spirit.

This is the attitude that is close-minded to an opinion contrary to the one you already possess; this is especially dangerous when focused toward the counsel or teaching of spiritual leadership.

It gave me pause to consider.

When I am presented with Biblical truth and resulting counsel or exhortation (whether in the public forum of a sermon or lesson OR in an individual conversation), how do I respond?

Am I quick to consider my own life as it relates to the guidance given, or do I quickly assume this is for someone else?

On a variety of topics, I’d suggest, we as women, can be susceptible and outright guilty.

Interestingly, Bridges places young single adults as especially vulnerable. It is precisely their independence that makes them susceptible to this close-mindedness, especially when the guidance differs from their current practice or thought.

Dare I give some examples (for single, married, young or old….?)

See how you fare as you consider your own responses. How teachable (open to at least consider differing counsel) are you in these areas?

Use of free time, spending time with the Body, child training, schooling of children, entertainment choices, relationship advice, marital communication, submission to authority, service to others, time in the Word, ‘pet areas’ that can become idols…

When God’s Word is brought to bear in these areas, how do we respond?

Teachability really gets down to attitude.

As an older woman, do I still seek encouragement and instruction in how I can better live out the role of helper in my home (or do I close my ears figuratively ‘cause in our home we’ve already got it all figured out; this is for the younger women)?

As a mom, do I listen with interest and attention for myself as I hear teaching on child discipline, structure, training, etc (or does my mind shut off in regard to me but quickly move to that other person I know needs to hear this)?

As a member of EBC, do I hear of opportunities for ministry or sit under the challenge of God’s Word telling me of my responsibility to others in the body with open ears and eager heart to grow in my care for and to others (or do I dismiss this to the others who are younger or more ‘gifted’ or who get into this sort of thing, because I’ve already found my nitch –or perhaps settled on my very good reason for not participating?)

As a young woman, do I seek the help of my pastors/elders to identify how I might use my available time in the pursuit of eternal values, particularly (though not exclusively) the building up of my local body of Christ (or do I hold strong to my belief that ‘my time is my time’ and I already do enough. Actually, all that emphasis on serving others is just not a good fit for me, and I don’t enjoy it all that much.)

As an attender of my church, do I consider open-mindedly (with a submissive orientation to) the New Testament’s call to actively participate in the lives of fellow members of the Body, and ask the hard question of why membership is not part of my own orientation (or do I insist stubbornly this is uncomfortable, too difficult to do because of -------------, or resist just for the fear of stepping out & doing it?)

In each of these scenarios, the prideful attitude of a non-teachable spirit could be an underlying and influencing reality.

(And notice I said could, this is not a diagnostic test, merely a screening to enable us to pause and give a heart check.)

May God grant to each of us the humility to listen with personal and attentive hearing & focus on our own hearts, lives and growth in every sermon, lesson, word of counsel, or warning that we might hear.

The one who has most to fear is the one who believes she already has it all figured out.

This demonstration of pride most certainly goes before a fall.

Ask God to give you a heart and mind that is teachable.