to find some commentary or notes to give him spiritual thought. task, he will not be drawn away, because he knows it is right. Learning
the Bible requires such a heart.
Where was this Christian’s hunger for God? If he had any, it was easily
satisfied. Other seemingly more interesting thing caused him to close And the discipline must be self‐discipline. No one else can compel a
his bible. He may have fooled himself and said, “I tried to study but I man to study the Bible. At times we will find Bible study very interest‐
can’t understand.” Actually he read only as he did not have to try. ing, even thrilling, but not always. On some days new truths will ex‐
When he found that the effort was needed, he gave up. There was no cite us, but on other days they will not. Yet if we are disciplined, we
insatiable hunger that kept him going . A man without a hungry heart will press on because the goal is is not reached quickly or easily.
can never learn the Bile.
Many Christians have started Bible courses. They have done, one two
3. An obedient heart (Psalms 119:98-100). To understand the or three lessons, found that these take time from other things and are
Bible truly we must be willing to obey what God shows us of His will. not always thrilling, and so have given up. If that is our way, there is
The Bible calls for response, not just analysis. If we are unwilling to no use seeking to learn God’s Word or beginning a definite study pro‐
act, we cannot reach the full truth. A disobedient heart means a gram. Jesus said, “Seek and you will find,” not “You will find by chance
closed understanding. An obedient heart finds the meaning of the or a casual look.”
Scripture opened.
5 . A teachable heart (Isaiah 50:4) The teachable heart wants to
God requires this heart attitude, not a perfect record of action. He learn and to go on learning. It never says, “Now I know enough.” Ra‐
does wait until we have followed him perfectly for some length of ther, it knows it has much more to understand, and eagerly and hum‐
time before He instructs us from His word. No, He sees our heart and bly is ready to discover new truth at any time.
knows whether it is responsive. If it is, then He is ready to teach us.
Also, it is ready to acquire knowledge from others. Perhaps we are
Learning and obedience go together, step by step. If God teaches me willing to learn from God, or think we are, but are we willing to be
something and I obey, then I should not expect to progress even in taught by another brother or sister, especially if the brother is right
knowledge. I may acquire more facts, but the essential spiritual truth and I am mistaken? This test will reveal the teachable heart.
will be hidden. I may get the bulk content of the rice and curry, but
will not assimilate the hidden, health‐giving vitamins. Without obedi‐ We all have ideas about Scripture, convictions regarding doctrine and
ence at each step, further steps in knowing God’s Word are impossi‐ the meaning of many passages. Where did we get these ideas? Most
ble. of them have come from messages we have heard, books we have
read, thoughts we have gained from others. Some of our convictions
4. A disciplined heart (Mathew 7:7). A person with a disciplined may be right; some may be wrong, or only partly right. Are we willing
heart will start something and keep on doing it, even though it is to say, “I may be wrong”? If not, then our heart is snot fully teachable.
hard. He will cut out other things he would like to do for the sake of a It is not open to the instructions of the Lord, even thought we study
higher priority. Though he may need a long time to accomplish the the bible with zeal. The humble, teachable heart is the one to whom