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A Teachable Spirit

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.¹

 

Have you ever met someone with an unteachable spirit? Someone that just couldn’t be told what to do? Someone who wouldn’t take advice no matter how sound? Usually these people are in a position of authority; who feel as if the only way to have respect is to act as if you already know it all!

 

Naaman could have been that person. He had all the fame and authority required, for he was the commander of the Syrian king’s army! He was a great man of valor in the eyes of the king, BUT... he was a leper. (2 Kings 5:1-19) Infected persons were banished and forced to live in isolation apart from society. So you can imagine Naaman’s desperation upon finding the leprous spots on his skin. His wife had a young Israelite servant girl who suggested that Naaman go and find the prophet Elisha who could surely help him. Such was Naaman’s anguish that, against his pride, he took the advice of the servant girl. Naaman packed bags of silver and gold and gifts for he was willing to pay whatever it took to be healed.

 

Upon arriving at Elisha’s house with his fanfare of horses and chariots, Naaman was surprised to be greeted by a servant and not Elisha himself, who simply told him: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” (v.10) Knowing that the water in the Jordan river was filthy and muddy, Naaman immediately felt disrespected and became very angry! By this time, Naaman was done being told what to do and turned to leave in a rage. But his servants ran after him and convinced him to give it a try. Once again, God used a servant to make Naaman teachable.

 

I can imagine Naaman stepping into the dirty waters of the Jordan river, feeling humiliated and degraded after the first few dips and nothing was happening. I can hear his servants cheering him on: “Come on, Sir Naaman, Just a few more times!” The Bible says that when he came up from the water after the seventh time his skin was restored like the skin of a baby and he was clean! (v.14) At once, Naaman ran to Elisha, forgetting about his disease, proclaiming God as the one true God!

 

Many of us are battling spiritual leprosy. Our “spots” are in the form of marriage or family problems, addictions, guilt, or unhappiness. And just like Naaman, God has something greater for us than just the cure for our sins, but we must be willing to have a teachable spirit to receive the ultimate gift that God has in store for us. Do you have the humility to come to Jesus today?

 

Suggested prayer: Dear God, I don’t want to be banished from your presence. Please forgive my prideful and unteachable spirit and make me clean for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

1.    Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV).

 

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.