Learning ...

We are "not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ... be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. ... have strayed concerning the truth ... " (2 Timothy 2: 14-18)

"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, have been taken captive by him to do his will." (2 Timothy 2: 23-26)

"... be patient ... Do not grumble against one another ..." (James 5: 8-9)

To be obedient to God, have to keep our focus on Him only, not let our minds stray to what is going on around us. We can be involved in what is going on and helpful, but we must draw the line when it comes to allowing ourselves to be dominated by it.

That is hard to do -- keeping your mind focused on God. At least I find it hard. God tells us what to avoid and how to be.

Take for example teaching -- need to be in teacher mode. But what is teacher mode? Not all teachers accomplish what they set forth. Different methods, different goals, different results. Teaching -- just because you don't have an education degree, doesn't mean you are not capable of teaching.

It's easy to get exasperated and hung up on "getting it." But it's important to "get it," is it not?

If we don't understand the why of something does that speak badly of the teacher? Or of the student? Neither one I say. God doesn't expect us to understand everything all at once. It's one step at a time. Whether we are a teacher or a student, we are all learners. Learning to teach better. Learning to comprehend so we can be better prepared to teach and to learn.

The Learned ... The Learner ... The Learnees (that's a new word I coined)

God is the Learned One. He knows all. He is all. Therefore we learn from Him -- His word and through His Son, Jesus. And as we learn from Him, we teach others, who are the learnees. And the cycle continues.

It is when we move God off the top pedestal, off His throne, and replace Him with our own desires, that what we learn and thereby teach becomes corrupt.

"... Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit ... love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control ... you are not under the law." (Galatians 5: 16-18, 22-23)

"Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5: 26)

"And let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, ..." (Galatians: 6: 9)

I must look steadily toward God and the examples He has given us and then put into practice what I learn, so when I pass on my knowledge I do so as God's obedient servant, not as master of my own laws.