The Lack of a Good Upbraiding

February 25, 2011 at 9:31 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments
Tags: asking God, dumb questions, James 1, Jesus the Teacher, lacking wisdom, no dumb questions, prayer, Rabbi, raise your hand, students, teachers, teachers and students, upbraiding, wisdom, wisdom of God

In school, students are often taught to raise their hand if they have a question. A good teacher understands that everything being taught is not understood by every student the first time it is spoken. Some students, however, are shy about asking questions, fearing that they will appear less intelligent to other students who already know the answer.

The axiomatic teacher’s platitude for this situation is, “Remember, students, there are no dumb questions.” While this sentiment may be encouraging for some, most of us remember, at one time or another, being mocked or scorned by a teacher for asking a question to which everyone else already knew the answer.

The Lord Jesus’s disciples sometimes called Him “Rabbi” (John 1:49; 6:25), which meant “Teacher,” but aren’t you glad that God is not like an earthly teacher? The Bible says that, when we do not know what to do, and even when we might feel dumb for not knowing, we need to ask God. He gives wisdom freely, and never shames us for asking.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:5

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