Balancing Learning from Others with Trust in God's Character
Christians are called to balance learning from others with a foundational trust in God's character. This involves both diligent self-examination and openness to divine instruction through various means.
The Apostle Paul, for instance, emphasized the importance of maintaining "an unoffending conscience, towards God and men, continually" [1]. This pursuit of a clear conscience suggests an ongoing process of self-assessment and alignment with divine principles. Adam Clarke, commenting on Galatians 6:4, advises believers to "examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ" to ensure their rejoicing is "in himself alone" and not derived from comparing themselves to others [7]. This highlights the individual responsibility to prove one's own work against a divine standard rather than human benchmarks.
However, this individual diligence does not negate the role of learning from others, particularly those who teach God's wisdom. John Gill, in his commentary on Proverbs 5:1, encourages attention to "spiritual and evangelical wisdom," which Christ teaches and communicates to his disciples [8]. Similarly, Matthew Henry notes David's continuous desire to learn God's "righteous judgments," even after gaining much knowledge, emphasizing that believers should remain "scholars in Christ's school" throughout their lives [4]. This learning can come through the teaching of others, as David himself acknowledged that God had taught him "from my youth" through various instruments and means [5].
The balance lies in discerning the source and nature of the teaching. Paul admonished the Ephesians, stating, "But ye have not so learned Christ" [6], implying that true learning of Christ leads to a transformed life, unlike those who walk in "the vanity of their minds" [6]. This suggests that not all learning is beneficial, and the ultimate standard for truth is Christ himself. Trust in God's character is paramount, as it produces "holy boldness" [3] and enables believers to have confidence in prayer [3]. The Bible also warns against seeking "honour one of another" rather than "the honour that commeth of God alone," indicating a potential pitfall in valuing human approval over divine truth [2].
Sources
- Acts “Acts 24:16 (Rotherham) — herein, even I, myself, am studying to have, an unoffending conscience, towards God and men, continually.”
- John “John 5:44 (Geneva1599) — How can ye beleeue, which receiue honour one of another, and seeke not the honour that commeth of God alone?”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:7: Here is, I. David's endeavour to perfect himself in his religion, and to make himself (as we say) master of his business. He hopes to learn God's righteous judgments. He knew much, but he was still pressing forward and desired to know more, as knowing this, that he had not yet attained; but as far as perfection is attainable in this life he reached towards it, and would not take up short of it. As long as we live we must be scholars in Christ's school, and sit at his feet; but we should aim to be head-scholars, and to get into the highest form. God's judgments ar”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 71:17: O God, thou hast taught me from my youth,.... The corruption of human nature; the weakness and impotence of it, to everything that is spiritually good; and the need of continual strength and grace from Christ, to go to him for righteousness and strength, life and salvation, and to walk by faith on him; the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, and the insufficiency of his own; the will, ways, and worship of God; and all the duties of religion, prayer, praise, &c. and whoever were the instruments, or whatever were the means, of teaching David these”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:20: But ye have not so learned Christ,.... Some distinguish these words, and make two propositions of them, "but ye not so", or "ye are not so, ye have learned Christ"; the first of these propositions has respect to what goes before, and suggests that regenerate persons are not as other men: they do not walk in the vanity of their minds as others, their minds are not empty and vain; but are filled with God, with a saving knowledge of God in Christ, with the fear and love of God, and with Christ, with a spiritual knowledge of him, with faith in him and love to him, and ”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 5:1: My son, attend unto my wisdom,.... Not the wisdom of the world or of the flesh, worldly wisdom and carnal policy; but spiritual and evangelical wisdom; such as one that is greater than Solomon has in him, even Christ; "for in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge", Col 2:3; and which he teaches and communicates to others, even all proper instructions for conduct in life: the Gospel, and each of the doctrines of it, which are "the wisdom of God in a mystery", Co1 2:7, these every child of God, and disciple of Christ, ought carefully and diligently to atten”