A Well Pleasing Student.

“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things…” — 1 John 2:27

Scripture in 1 John 2:27 gives a wonderful assurance to the believer: in this maze called the world where we find ourselves, we do not have to get lost for lack of a guide. We are assured that there is a Teacher within us who teaches us all things. His specialization is in all things. He can teach you business, psychology, relationships, mathematics you name it.

His reserve of knowledge and counsel is wide and inexhaustible. Such is the nature of the Holy Spirit, our Teacher. He knows all things, and He teaches all things.

But there is a caveat.

That the Teacher knows all things does not automatically mean He will teach the student all things. No. While the Teacher is capable and willing, the posture of the student determines how and what will be taught. How we posture ourselves toward this great Teacher matters deeply. The Bible says, 

“Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out” — Proverbs 20:5. 

Similarly, counsel in the heart of the Holy Spirit is as deep waters; only a student of understanding will draw it out. Many Spirit-filled believers still miss out on much help, counsel, and teaching not because the Holy Spirit is incapable or unwilling, but because they have not positioned themselves rightly to receive what they need. They did not dance to his pipe. 

Realizing they did not know how to pray, the disciples said to the Lord, “Teach us to pray” Luke 11:1. Likewise, we must ask the Lord to teach us how to posture ourselves rightly, that we may receive from the Teacher.

Lord, make us well-pleasing students of the Holy Spirit.

Characteristics of a Well-Pleasing Student.

1. Humble

A well-pleasing student is humble.

This is the humility of knowing that we are limited in our knowledge and constantly in need of the Spirit’s help. It is this posture of humility and dependence that opens us up to His teaching. It is humility that will cause us to seek the teacher. It is humility that will urge us to listen. The moment we feel sufficient in ourselves—trusting our own wisdom more than seeking His counsel—we cut ourselves off from His knowledge supply. But to the humble, He gives grace.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6.

2. Attentive

A story is given in Luke 10 of Jesus visiting his friends home. In this home we meet two sisters, Mary and Martha, who form an example for our learning. Both prepared for Jesus Christ but one prepared externally while the other prepared internally.

“Mary… sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” — Luke 10:39–42.

Martha was distracted with much serving, but Mary gave the Teacher her inner ear. She was attentive. The Teacher is not looking for so much from you as He is looking for your attention. Your single-minded focus. Distraction frustrates learning. When we constantly give ourselves to distractions, we grieve His voice. He then withdraws himself and waits until we realize He is important enough to be heard.

3. Willing

In His lament over Jerusalem, our Lord said,

“How often I wanted to gather your children together… but you were not willing!” — Matthew 23:37.

They missed their time of visitation because of unwillingness. The Holy Spirit will not force Himself upon an unwilling student. He may prod and nudges. He may encourage. But persistent resistance causes withdrawal. 

We must cultivate willingness;

Willing to be taught on His terms.

Willing to be taught on His schedule.

Willing to be taught in His way.

4. Diligent

A well-pleasing student is diligent.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God…” — 2 Timothy 2:15.

The same diligence we apply with earthly teachers must be applied much more to the Holy Spirit. Diligent to study and meditate on His course material, which is the Word of God (Joshua 1:8). Diligent to listen when He speaks. Diligent to obey His instructions. Diligent to ask the correct questions.

 

We cannot be careless and expect to benefit from the Teacher. No. We must be like the Bereans who “searched the Scriptures daily” — Acts 17:11.

Be like the persistent widow who would not stop seeking justice — Luke 18:1–8.

Diligently seek out your Teacher.

These are but a few characteristics. And so I urge you as Paul urged Timothy:

“Meditate on these things… and the Lord give you understanding in all things”  2 Timothy 2:7, 15.

Shalom 🤍