From Proverbs 6.20-23 I lean that a willingness to accept correction produces enlightenment and abundance. Therefore, I should be a learner!
Listen! Take the precepts to heart! They’ll guide, protect, and teach you. In fact, the precepts create light to correct you. Proverbs 6.20-23 paraphrase
Be A Learner
Can I learn is very different from will I learn.
Similarly, the issue here in Proverbs 6.20-23 isn’t mental capacity. Instead, it’s attitude.
As such, a right attitude produces worthwhile character change.
For starters, to be a learner. Thus, I must adopt a learner’s attitude.
In contrast, stubbornness is deadly!
Whereas, a learner’s attitude involves listening and responding.
But, will I listen?
Additionally, to be a learner, I must identify competent mentors.
So, who will I listen to?
Finally, to be a learner, I intentionally put into practice what I’m hearing. However, hearing must be paired with doing.
Then, will I change?
The end game here is a changed character.
Thus, I don’t simply accumulate factual knowledge. Instead, I build experiential insight.
Conversely, I don’t get smarter, I get wiser!
“…all the good advice in the world won’t help if you don’t have a teachable spirit.” John Maxwell
Balance Knowing and Doing
Now, is it better to know the requirements of the law or to practically apply what I know?
Conclusively, the answer is Yes!
In fact, Proverbs 6.20 mentions both the law (torah) and the precepts – the commands (mitsvah).
Proverbs 6.20 uses the word “commandments.” That Hebrew word mitzvah means a moral imperative.
As such, the mitzvah are the basic precepts for living. Those precepts bring me life insights.
Therefore, it follows that a key aspect of character development is a balance. Specifically, a balance between the absolutes of the law and practically applying the precepts.
In fact, according to Proverbs 6.22, when I achieve that balance I receive significant benefits. Most basically, those benefits include direction, protection, and on-going mentoring.
Grasping the precepts, through sound instruction, brings light about the what, where, and why of life!
A Word Picture
Actually, Proverbs 6.23 is a word picture. Specifically, the three components are a lamp, the light, and a teachable attitude.
The underlying mental model in this verse is the circle of competence.
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Thus, I must differentiate between what I think I know and what I really know.
Guess what? Understanding this difference is where instruction and correction kick in. And Yes, correction can be unpleasant!
Thus, I grow my circle of competence by my willingness to listen to sound advice.
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Now, the word picture in Proverbs 6.23.
First, Solomon tells us that the precepts are the oil-burning lamp.
Second, the law is the light produced by that lamp.
Third, correction is the process of burning the oil inside the lamp.
So, here’s what this word picture means.
A precept-driven life is a source of enlightenment. Then, I add value because I accept sound advice. Not surprisingly, that advice comes from trusted mentors who correct me.
Personal Insight
I worked for the same small business owner all the way through high school and college. As a result, I was mentored in the basics of resource stewardship.
Sometimes, that mentoring included direct instruction. But, the learning also included observation.
The business owner treated me with trust and gave me added responsibilities. For example, I had keys to the store. Also, I opened and closed the business and ran a separate location. Frequently, I handled cash.
Consequently, many of the fundamental skills I use now to manage budgets as a business school dean I learned over 40 years ago. Thus, that mentoring had a life-long impact on me.
One take-away from this story is that even as an arrogant teenager you can learn something if, occasionally, you listen!
How does a young person stay on track? By following God’s word. Psalm 119.9 paraphrase
Leadership Insight
Organizations enhance their competitiveness, in part, through leadership development programs.
As a result of those programs, managers become more effective leaders because of being mentored.
Furthermore, leaders who participate in leadership development opportunities do so because of a desire to grow. That is, they want to develop personally and professionally.
Without question, I invest in personal growth because I value the character development and the improved capacity that follows.
Similarly, organizations invest in leadership development because they value the improved performance and higher employee morale that results.
Proverbs 6.23 was recorded over 3,000 years ago. But, even then the growth was obviously important.
Leaders who are continual learners are better equipped to address interpersonal and competitive challenges when they arise.
Continual Leadership Growth
Here are three leadership principles regarding the lamp symbolism in Proverbs 6.23:
Principle One: Oil lamps must be continually refilled.
Similarly, professional growth must be incremental and continual. Why? Because of varying market conditions and changing employee expectations.
Principle Two: The light from a lamp exists as long as the oil is burning. Thus, no burning means no light. As such, no value-added from that lamp.
Likewise, when a leader stops growing he or she stops producing light, thus ceases to be of value. Most simply, no growth means no value-added.
Principle Three: A charred wick needs to be trimmed. And, the shape of the trimmed wick impacts the shape of the flame.
Consequently, I ask: who do I want to look like as I become an impactful leader? That’s my choice.
Apply This Today!
Bad advice is just as destructive as being stubborn and refusing to take advice. So, be careful little ears what you hear!
Then, as I grow a discerning character, I better identify mentors who can guide me. Consequently, the precepts should be my first choice as a mentor!
My life is a source of light to others. But, only to the extent that I engage in correction and character growth.
And so, I grow to expand my impact as a leader.
Therefore, I should be a learner!
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments about these posts, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com