A TEACHABLE SPIRIT

"Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them."

[Proverbs 26:12]

Are you truly teachable?

Can you be confronted without bristling or making excuses for yourself?

If you have ever lost your temper, hurt someone you care about, or found yourself acting in ways that even you don't fully understand, you already know how heavy regret can feel. You may have promised yourself it wouldn't happen again, only to find old patterns creeping back in. It's frustrating and painful isn't it?

But there is good news! Change is possible and it begins with one powerful attitude - being teachable.

The Bible frequently warns against an unteachable spirit and a key verse, Proverbs 26:12 underscores that. Believing that we have nothing more to learn is a dangerous form of self-serving that prevents growth and hinders our relationship with God. An unteachable spirit often stems from pride, insecurity, or a rebellious heart.

If there is one book in the Bible that majors in teachability, it is the book of Proverbs, the Bible's wisdom book. It teaches us 4 lessons on being teachable, be humble, actively seek wisdom and instruction, learn from the right teachers, and receive correction as a blessing.

Being teachable means we have to have the mindset of a lifelong learner. It means we are willing to grow, willing to be stretched, and willing to change. It means believing that we can grow into someone who handles conflict with strength instead of control; compassion instead of anger; and understanding instead of defensiveness. Some of us may be teachable in certain areas of our lives, but unteachable in others. We all have our own struggles with teachability.

Change is not easy is it?

But we don't grow without change in our lives. Teachability is the willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn. There is no way to escape the fact that being teachable is also the foundation in our spiritual growth and our character development in all areas of our walk with God.

How do we recognise a person with a teachable spirit?

They are eager to learn and willing to ask questions. They are humble, grateful, and respectful. Teachable people approach life with an understanding that they can learn from anybody, regardless of that person's state, status, or station in life. Every person is valuable. When we live this way we become open to learning from any person. God may choose the most unlikely people to be His agents of training in our lives.

But such a spirit requires humility. We demonstrate humility when we learn from criticism or seek others opinions. If pride prevents us from receiving correction from others, or from us asking questions, then we are not teachable.

In Paul's letter to the Philippian church, he instructed his readers:

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others." [Philippians 2:3-4]

True teachability happens when humility meets an active interest in others. It relies on us noticing and engaging with someone else and their skills, expertise and passions. Paul teaches us to treat the needs of others as more important than our own. This kind of humility leads to mutual love and unity.

Jesus was the epitome of servanthood. He humbled himself to the lowliest position and died a shameful criminal's death in our place. His love was self sacrificial; He acted for the best of others rather than His own glory. When we understand the incredible sacrifice, grace and mercy of God on our behalf, we realise we have no use for pride.

Having a teachable spirit is a defining characteristic of a disciple of Jesus. Jesus calls us to be disciples, which means learner - someone who is open to instruction and correction. God needs our hearts to be open so He can work on changing our lives. Opening ourselves to learning is an act of love for God and He returns that love with grace and a new and better life.

How encouraging is that!

God bless