What you listen to shapes you.
By nature we are creatures that are formed and developed by listening to instruction from all around us. My daughter Grace, who is three years old, is always asking “why?” The words that I respond with shape what she understands about herself, the world around her, other people, and most importantly, God. Her questions are never-ending and it’s my deep joy to give her instruction and teaching. But none of that is possible unless she listens.
Pastor Mark in his sermon this week preached on how Malachi had strong words for those who teach God’s word and do not do so faithfully. Their misleading and sinful teaching angered God and harmed his people. Sadly, we still live in a time when there is bad Bible teaching. Because of the wealth of teaching available to all of us, we must be careful which Bible teachers we listen to. The consequences can be severe for those who are influenced by bad Bible teaching.
To equip all of us to make wise decisions about which Bible teachers we trust, Pastor Mark gave us some identifiers to look out for:
Good Bible teachers
Character
- Someone whose life is consistent with the Scriptures
- Relationship with their spouse
Clarity
- People understand what they are saying
Consistency
- They walk with Jesus over time
- They don’t just have a good day, then a bad day, then are ready to quit, then want their job back, etc.
Courage
- They are able to persevere in the struggle of turning people from their sins
Christ
- They know and love Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior
These points reveal that good Bible teachers have a deep love for Jesus that gives them a life of integrity to instruct from.
And while it is important for us to be able to clearly identify good teaching, we must also be willing to listen. Just like a teenager who says “I heard you” to their parents but does not change course based on their instruction, so are we if we do not heed good Bible teaching. In fact, the Bible seems to teach that you have not really heard or understood something until you actually apply what you have heard (James 1:22–25).
Here are some questions to think through in how you can more specifically honor God with your life:
- Malachi talks about the legacies of good and bad teaching. What teachers (family, instructors, mentors, pastors, authors, friends) have shaped you and what teachers are shaping you right now?
- As we read the Bible, God uses the Holy Spirit to apply what we are reading to our lives directly. What is it the Holy Spirit wants you to listen to and act on in your life to change (finances, relationships, spiritual growth, secret sin)? Your legacy is about constantly being willing to listen to Jesus through God’s Word.
Words are incredibly powerful. God used words to bring all of creation into existence. And it is by his word that he continues to restore us and this world. The words you instruct others with and the words you listen to are powerful and life forming. Be careful which teachers you listen to, and always give priority to the teaching God gives to you through his word. For it is his sharp sword that changes you and gives you new life (Heb. 4:12).
Pastor Ryan Kearns is the Director of Community Groups for Mars Hill Church. Each week, he writes a post about the sermon to aid discussion in your Community Group. This is part three from the Malachi series. Be sure to check out parts one and two.
