Teachableness

We cannot learn without listening. Proverbs gives teachableness as a foundation to wisdom. A teachable person is one who is willing to learn.

Prov 1:20‑27
20        Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;
21        at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
22        "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
23        If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.
24        But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25        since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,
26        I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you‑‑
27        when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. (NIV)

There are some emotions you hear from the heart of God in this passage.  What emotions do you hear?

Circle all the works which are the opposite of listening to wisdom?  (notice rejection of wisdom is not passive but active)

Related Study:Word Study of "How Long?"

Mocking and Listening Contrasted

Prov 9:6‑12
6          Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.
7          "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
8          Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
9          Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

10        "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11        For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
12        If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."  (NIV)

Explain the difference between the scoffer and the one who listens?

What makes us not want to listen to instruction?

What is the value of listening to instruction?

A person who is willing to listen to instruction can grow and expand his understanding. The long term impact of that choice is a person who is successful.

The following verses show the value of listening.

Prov 12:15
15        The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
(NIV)

Prov 13:13‑20
13        He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
14        The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
15        Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16        Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.
17        A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18        He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19        A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20        He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.  (NIV)

What makes correction so hard?

How do we overcome our natural inclination to not listen?  to people?  to God?

Prov 15:31‑33
31        He who listens to a life‑giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.
32        He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
33        The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.  (NIV)

Why does humility come before honor?

A Wise person is willing to see where they have failed and learn from the failure.

Prov 17:10
10        A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.  (NIV)

What is this saying?

Prov 20:18
18        Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.  (NIV)

Prov 25:12
12        Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.  (NIV)

Prov 27:5‑6
5          Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6          Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (NIV)

Why are these true?

New Testament Application

It is so easy not to learn from things we see and experience. The Disciples had seen Jesus feed over 5,000 people, but when put in a fearful situation they forgot about how much Jesus can help them in all circumstances. It is so easy not to learn what we should learn.

Mark 6:48‑52
48        He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,
49        but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out,
50        because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
51        Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,
52        for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.  (NIV)

James speaks of the value of listening:

James 1:19‑24
19        My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20        for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
21        Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22        Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23        Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24        and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
(NIV)

BE QUICK TO LISTEN!

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