The Open Heavens 5 August 2026 devotional for today is BE OPEN TO FEEDBACK.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 5 AUGUST 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: BE OPEN TO FEEDBACK
MEMORISE
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Proverbs 1:5
READ: Acts 18:24-28
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 5 AUGUST 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
In Yorubaland, where I come from, the elders have an adage that says, The lantern cannot see its own bottom’ What they mean by this saying is that, no matter how knowledgeable a fellow is, there are areas in the fellow’s life that will be hidden from his or her view. This is why you must be willing to receive feedback from others who can see you more objectively than you can see yourself.
In Revelation 3:15-17, the Lord said that some people, according to their own judgment, believed they had everything going well for them because they were rich and appeared not to lack anything; however, by His own standards, they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
If a person is too proud to receive feedback, people will see the fellow walking towards a ditch and leave him or her to fall into it. Proverbs 24:6 says that in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety. People who are open to corrections and feedback tend to escape many troubles, while those who think they know it all often stumble into avoidable problems.
Jesus is described as the wisdom and power of God in 1 Corinthians 1:24, yet when He came to earth, He sat under teachers, listening to them and asking them questions (Luke 2:46-47), and the Bible recorded that He grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52). He was also open to feedback, as we see in Matthew 16:13-16, where He asked His disciples to tell Him what other men, and even they themselves think of Him.
In today’s Bible reading, Apollos was already an established teacher of the word before he met Aquilla and Priscilla. When they heard him teach, however, they recognised that he needed further insight and knowledge of God’s word.
As a result, they took him aside to expound the way of the Lord to him more perfectly. Submitting to their mentorship and feedback helped Apollos become a better teacher of the word, who mightily proved to the Jews through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Saviour.
Beyond submitting to mentors and being open to learning and growth, how a fellow receives and processes feedback will determine whether he or she will grow or remain stagnant. Beloved, if you want to grow in wisdom, you must be willing to humble yourself to listen and learn from others.
You should also ask the Holy Spirit for guidance at all times. I pray you will continue to grow in wisdom and favour before God and man, in Jesus’ name.
REFLECTION
Are you open to learning from others and receiving feedback?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Jeremiah 6-8
Open Heavens HYMN 59: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 5 AUGUST 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Proverbs 1:5
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.”
Wisdom is not measured by how much you already know, but by how willing you are to learn from others. The truly wise never stop listening, never stop growing, and never stop receiving counsel.
BIBLE READING: Acts 18:24-28
This passage introduces Apollos, an eloquent man mighty in the Scriptures. He taught boldly in the synagogue, but he knew only the baptism of John. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and expounded the way of God more perfectly. Apollos did not reject their input; he received it and became even more effective, mightily convincing the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. His teachability unlocked greater effectiveness.
The Lantern Cannot See Its Own Bottom
“In Yorubaland, where I come from, the elders have an adage that says, ‘The lantern cannot see its own bottom.’ What they mean by this saying is that, no matter how knowledgeable a fellow is, there are areas in the fellow’s life that will be hidden from his or her view.”
| What the Lantern Can See | What the Lantern Cannot See |
|---|---|
| Everything around it | Its own bottom—its blind spot |
| Others’ flaws | Its own weaknesses |
| The path ahead | The dirt it carries underneath |
“This is why you must be willing to receive feedback from others who can see you more objectively than you can see yourself.”
You cannot see yourself as clearly as others can. Pride says, “I don’t need anyone to tell me anything.” Wisdom says, “Show me what I cannot see.”
The Laodicean Deception: Self-Assessment vs. God’s Assessment
“In Revelation 3:15-17, the Lord said that some people, according to their own judgment, believed they had everything going well for them because they were rich and appeared not to lack anything; however, by His own standards, they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”
| Their Self-Assessment | God’s Assessment |
|---|---|
| “I am rich and increased with goods” | “You are wretched” |
| “I have need of nothing” | “You are miserable, poor, blind, naked” |
| They thought they were standing | They were actually falling |
“If a person is too proud to receive feedback, people will see the fellow walking towards a ditch and leave him or her to fall into it.”
| Prideful Response | Wise Response |
|---|---|
| “I don’t need anyone’s advice” | “Show me what I am missing” |
| “I know what I am doing” | “Help me see my blind spots” |
| People see the ditch but stay silent | People warn you because you are teachable |
Safety in the Multitude of Counselors
“Proverbs 24:6 says that in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety. People who are open to corrections and feedback tend to escape many troubles, while those who think they know it all often stumble into avoidable problems.”
Proverbs 24:6 – “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
| Open to Counsel | Closed to Counsel |
|---|---|
| Receives advice and avoids pitfalls | Rejects advice and falls |
| Gains perspective from others | Relies only on own perspective |
| Grows in wisdom | Stagnates in ignorance |
Jesus: The Wisdom of God, Yet Teachable
“Jesus is described as the wisdom and power of God in 1 Corinthians 1:24, yet when He came to earth, He sat under teachers, listening to them and asking them questions (Luke 2:46-47), and the Bible recorded that He grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52).”
| Jesus’ Posture | What It Teaches You |
|---|---|
| He sat under teachers | No one is above learning |
| He asked questions | Wisdom seeks understanding |
| He grew in wisdom | Growth is a lifelong process |
“He was also open to feedback, as we see in Matthew 16:13-16, where He asked His disciples to tell Him what other men, and even they themselves think of Him.”
| What Jesus Asked | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| “Whom do men say that I am?” | He valued external perspective |
| “Whom say ye that I am?” | He invited feedback from those closest to Him |
If the Son of God—who is Wisdom itself—submitted to teachers, asked for feedback, and grew in wisdom, how much more should you?
Apollos: The Mighty Teacher Who Was Still Teachable
“In today’s Bible reading, Apollos was already an established teacher of the word before he met Aquilla and Priscilla. When they heard him teach, however, they recognised that he needed further insight and knowledge of God’s word.”
| Apollos’ Qualifications | What He Still Lacked |
|---|---|
| Eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures | He knew only the baptism of John |
| Bold teacher in the synagogue | He needed the full gospel |
| Respected and confident | He had blind spots |
“As a result, they took him aside to expound the way of the Lord to him more perfectly. Submitting to their mentorship and feedback helped Apollos become a better teacher of the word, who mightily proved to the Jews through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Saviour.”
| Before Aquila and Priscilla | After Aquila and Priscilla |
|---|---|
| Mighty in the Scriptures | Mightily convinced the Jews |
| Effective teacher | Even more effective |
| Good foundation | Greater impact |
“Beyond submitting to mentors and being open to learning and growth, how a fellow receives and processes feedback will determine whether he or she will grow or remain stagnant.”
| Receive Feedback With | Result |
|---|---|
| Humility and openness | Growth, wisdom, greater effectiveness |
| Pride and defensiveness | Stagnation, blindness, avoidable falls |
How to Receive and Process Feedback (Practical Steps)
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching, here is how to cultivate a teachable spirit:
1. Acknowledge Your Blind Spots
Accept that you cannot see everything. You have areas where you are blind. The lantern does not see its own bottom. Pray: “Lord, show me what I cannot see, and send people to help me see it.”
2. Ask for Feedback Regularly
Do not wait for people to correct you. Ask them. Find trusted mentors, friends, or family members and ask: “What do you see in me that I cannot see? Where am I missing it?”
3. Listen Without Defensiveness
When feedback comes, do not justify yourself. Do not argue. Do not explain why you did what you did. Listen. Process. Pray. Then respond.
4. Be Like Apollos: Take Correction Well
Apollos was already mighty in the Scriptures. He could have dismissed Aquila and Priscilla as “lesser” believers. But he listened. And his ministry grew. Be humble enough to learn from anyone—even those “beneath” you.
5. Ask the Holy Spirit for Guidance
“You should also ask the Holy Spirit for guidance at all times.”
No human mentor is perfect. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit is your Teacher. Ask Him to confirm, convict, and guide you through the feedback you receive.
Warning: Pride Blocks Growth
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent warning: if you are too proud to receive feedback, you will walk into ditches that others see but cannot warn you about.
| Prideful Response | The Result |
|---|---|
| “I don’t need anyone’s opinion” | You miss the ditch |
| “I know what I am doing” | You fall |
| “Who are they to correct me?” | You remain in your blind spot |
Conclusion: Your Prayer for Teachability
Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer for continued growth in wisdom and favor. Do not let pride rob you of what you still need to learn.
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, I confess that I have been proud. I have thought I know enough. I have rejected correction. I have refused to listen. Forgive me. I want to be like Apollos—mighty in the Word, but humble enough to learn from others. I want to be like You—the Wisdom of God, yet willing to sit under teachers and grow. Show me my blind spots. Send people who will tell me the truth. Give me the grace to receive feedback without defensiveness. I will not walk into ditches that others can see. I will listen. I will learn. I will grow. In Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
- The Feedback Request: Identify two or three trusted people in your life. Ask them this week: “What is one blind spot you see in me that I cannot see? What area do I need to grow in?” Listen without defending.
- The Pride Check: Review the last time someone corrected you. How did you respond? If you were defensive, ask God to humble you before your next opportunity for correction.
- The Apollos Principle: Is there someone “beneath” you in hierarchy, age, or experience who could teach you something? Approach them with humility and ask to learn.
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