“But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble…” (Malachi 2:8, NIV)
Learning to play golf is hard. Improving may be even harder. Where do we go to get the help we need?
In golf, just as in many other aspects of life, there are those who call themselves “self-taught” and there are those whose training has come with the help of others. Both of these are more accurately hybrids.
The “self-taught” player hasn’t established his swing blindly. He has watched others, maybe read books, and gleaned from whatever other observations he has made. He has not—and here is where the definition comes from—taken a lesson. At least not in a very long while.
Meanwhile, the helped player has taken lessons. She has said to a friend or a good player in her club, but most likely to a professional, “Can you help me?” Well, this is what we hope she has done. Because there is some very unhelpful—shall we say bad?—teaching out there.
In the longest of runs, whether the instruction you get for your golf swing is good or bad makes no real difference. Plenty of middling players still enjoy the game (dirty little secret: they may even enjoy it more). But the instruction we get in life can make all the difference.
The wisdom writers, the prophets, Jesus, the apostles—all these emphasized the importance of coupling ready, obedient listening with sound instruction. They weren’t duped by the philosophy that said, “Any teaching is fine, as long as you believe it.” There is wise teaching and unwise; there is true instruction and false; there are God’s words and man’s. Knowing the difference makes all the difference.
The wisdom writers, the prophets, Jesus, the apostles—all these emphasized the importance of coupling ready, obedient listening with sound instruction.The prophet Malachi, whose little book closes the Old Testament canon, took up the unenviable charge of confronting Judah’s priests. These spiritual leaders were called to one standard and they were not living up to it. Here is that standard: “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.” By this we know that God intends certain leaders to carry his words to the people.
But two errors can arise. First, some people insist on being “self-taught.” They aren’t interested in God’s words, either in general or for specific situations. The responsibility to listen and obey is ours.
Second, teachers can go, as we say, off the rails. They can teach things that do not truly reflect God’s heart. And while that error is theirs, we still must take care to discern whether we are receiving good instruction. Is it faithful to the Scriptures? Does it show love for God and others? In following it, will we honor the Lord, no matter what others say?
Finding good instruction in golf may make you a better iron player or a better putter. But in life, we need so much more than this. Good instruction should lead us to eternity with Christ.
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Jeff Hopper
June 10, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.