Ep. 282 - How to Cultivate a Teachable Heart
Episode · 50 min · August 1, 2024
About this episode
We can learn from anyone—our enemies, kids, friends, and many others. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar talk about having opportunities to learn from the people God places in our lives, but if we aren’t actively looking for these opportunities, we miss out on valuable lessons. If a person isn't worshiping the true and living
God, they often end up worshiping themselves. A significant reason leaders fall is that they don’t believe they can. Believers often treat sin lightly but we should treat it with seriousness.One major obstacle to being teachable is the self-perception that we cannot be wrong, especially on topics we know well. How wise it would be to stop, hear, and truly listen. The Bible is the word of the living God, and meditating and praying on the scripture can bring new insights. When it comes to seeking counsel, many Christians hesitate because of their image. This is why leaders especially need trusted advisors. The less we know, the more arrogant we can become; conversely, the more we know, the more humble we should be. The guys share personal experiences of being humbled after feeling overly confident. A good question to ask yourself is, "What do I not know?" Look for opportunities to gain wisdom and be a collector of it.For those who realize they lack wisdom, there are practical steps to become more teachable. With today's access to information, there's no excuse for not finding what you need—be diligent with your time. Look at where you spend your time and who you surround yourself with. Walk with the wise to raise your own wisdom. We tend to focus on things like social media instead of the Bible. Reorient your life to seek wisdom from the Bible first. Even if you can't find a one-on-one mentor, you can still surround yourself with people who are where you want to be. It might not be full-blown discipleship, but even a conversation over coffee can be beneficial. If personal mentorship isn’t feasible, be discipled by books. Solid, sound books can be reread, highlighted, and memorized.Approach the Bible with curiosity and ask questions. Cry out to the Lord, asking Him to give you a teachable heart and to provide the resources you need. Pride is a destroyer that misleads; being open to instruction and maintaining a teachable spirit is crucial. Fellowship with other believers facilitates mutual learning and growth. Encourage and pray for one another, and it will transform your life. By cultivating a teachable spirit and seeking wisdom, you set yourself on a path to becoming wiser and more humble in your latter years.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
More from The Living Waters Podcast
View all- 1Episode 0: IntroductionsWelcome to The Living Waters Podcast. In this first episode, Ray Comfort, Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne, Mark Spence, and Oscar Navarro introduce themselves, give a history of how they joined Living Waters, and argue over the point of starting a Podcast. Ever wonder how Ray made it out to Southern California? You’ll find out!Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 2Ep. 1 - What do you do when you’re witnessing, and your mind goes blank?Can you imagine officiating a wedding and calling the bride by the wrong name? Or preaching from the pulpit and blanking on the sermon? Or sharing the gospel and suddenly not having the words? It’s happened to each of our hosts. The guys discuss how they overcame those moments, and Mark Spence shares a story about why you should never ask him to officiate your wedding. Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 3Ep. 2 - Why don’t some preachers preach the hard things?Many preachers today avoid preaching about things like hell, repentance, and a God of judgement. In this episode the guys discuss the hard to preach topics, why preachers avoid them, and why it’s important.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 4Ep. 3 - RacismRacial tension is on the front pages and on every part of our news feeds. How can Christians pursue racial reconciliation in a way that is biblical and helpful? The guys look at these issues through a biblical lens.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 5Ep. 4 - PersecutionFrom the beginning of church history Christians have been persecuted for their faith. Today, Christians around the world are being kidnapped, attacked, and even beheaded for their faith. Here in the the United States, while we may not experience that same kind of persecution, there is an increased antagonism toward followers of Jesus. How can we honor our faithful brothers and sisters in the persecuted church around the world while faithfully proclaiming the gospel in our own country?Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 6Ep. 5 - Raising KidsFor parents, raising godly children is a lifelong calling that can be hard. How can we sheperd our children to know God in an age where everything around them seems to be pulling them away from the Creator? The guys discuss their home life, family values, devotions, and leading their own families in the ways of the Lord.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 7Ep. 6 - The Danger of Christian Clichés“God won’t give you more than you can handle.” “God helps those who helps themselves.” “Washed by the blood.” Christianese or clichés can be harmful and untrue. And others can be true but weird-sounding to new Christians or nonbelievers. The guys discuss clichés to avoid and Christianese that often need clarification.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 8Ep. 7 - How do we share the gospel in this modern world?Drones. Augmented reality. Driverless cars. It seems that the world is changing every day with amazing technologies and inventions. Does that mean that the gospel also has to change? How can believers be effective in their witness in a modern world? Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar talk about delivering the gospel in this day and age.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 9Ep. 8 - Obeying the law or obeying God—what should we do?Obeying the governing authorities. Obeying the laws of the land. As Christians we are to submit to those God has placed in authority, but what happens when we are being compelled to submit to ungodly laws? What is the Christian's responsibility?Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 10Ep. 9 - The difference between laziness and restThere are two extremes we can fall into, laziness—the need to always be comfortable and served, and busyness—pursuing value in worth in our accomplishments. But the scriptures offer a better way that invites us to work for the Glory of God and to rest and be renewed by His presence.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 11Ep. 10 - Christian ContentmentMost people always want more in life, which unfortunately leads to living an unsatisfied life. Yet Jesus says that He is the bread of life, the source of satisfaction. Listen to Ray Comfort and the guys discuss living content and satisfied lives.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
- 12Ep. 11 - What Is Faith?What is faith and what do we do with it? Ray Comfort and the guys talk about the difference between a living faith and a dead faith and how to grow our faith in Christ.Send us Fan MailThanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro
Get the Pray app
Keep listening on your phone, and pick up where you left off.