Recently, my son was leaning on the car door. As his mum was about to enter, I warned him to move so he would not fall when the door opened. His reply was firm: “Daniel will not fall down.” I wondered whether to call it positive confession or simple disobedience. Thank God he moved before the door opened. That moment taught me a deep lesson.
Friend, there are only two ways to learn in life: by instruction or by destruction. God in His mercy places instructors around us to help us navigate life with fewer scars. Many people, however, dislike instruction and insist on learning the hard way. Don’t let pride rob you of the wisdom your instructors carry (Proverbs 5:23, 31:1-9).
Some argue with those they should be learning from. They compare notes instead of taking notes. They compete with people they should be looking up to. They feel instruction belittles their status and see those who listen as weak. This attitude is pride disguised as confidence (Proverbs 13:1, 24:5-6).
Instruction does not make you weak; it makes you wise (Proverbs 1:5). Only fools despise instruction. Wise people stay teachable and can learn from anyone, even those who seem beneath them. If God says we should learn from ants, then no one is too small to teach us (Proverbs 6:6-11).
They say experience is the best teacher, but only when it is someone else’s experience. When it is yours, it is the most expensive teacher. Learning from others is called wisdom; waiting to learn from your own pain is called regret. Many are living in regret today because they ignored counsels they received freely (Proverbs 5:7-13, 30:17).
Sometimes, God sends people who will teach you for free, but if you refuse, you will pay a higher fee later in life to learn the same lesson (Proverbs 23:23, Matthew 25:9). An average church member who obeys his pastor will save himself a lot of cost in life. Remember, we walk by common sense, we run by principles, but we fly by instructions (Jeremiah 3:15).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria
