Am I Teachable
Am I Teachable
“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NASB
Most of us would agree that the Word of God is profitable for teaching, but how many of us would say that we are teachable? Most of us would probably react by saying something like “of course I am teachable.” Some may even add to that comment a list of Bible studies they regularly attend or college degrees they have earned. However, the unfortunate reality is that not everyone is teachable. In fact, many people in our culture and even in the church remain un-teachable despite the numerous Bible studies they participate in or the degrees hanging on the wall. While these things are essential components to learning they do not prove that we are teachable. The only thing that really proves we are teachable is the fruit that comes from our lives. If we claim that we are being taught by the Scripture then there should be spiritual fruit flowing out of our lives.
In a recent class entitled, “Four Elements for Affective Ministry”, being teachable was compared to the parable of the soils. The person who is teachable in the Biblical sense is like the good soil that produces fruit. A simple definition for being teachable was also drawn from Mark 4:20 which states “And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it, and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” The definition given in class was “being teachable means that we hear, accept and act.”
This does not mean that we should just accept anything that comes our way. We should be evaluating and testing out the things that we are taught. This keeps us from being deceived. Consider what Acts 17:11 has to say about this subject; “Now these were more noble minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.”
In class we discovered that there are actually five different areas where we must be teachable or to use the above definition where we must be willing to hear, accept and act. Because of the space limitations this article is only going to mention one which prayerfully will be used by the Lord in your life. This area is known to most as the mind. As you might guess this is the area where we intellectually process information.However, being teachable really has very little to do with a persons IQ or ability to intake a great deal of information. Being teachable in the mind has more to do with the belief system than the intellectual ability to process and regurgitate information. It is the belief system in this area that dictates a great deal of our behavior. If we do not allow truth to enter the mind and change the belief system we can easily end up with an inner conflict that is difficult to resolve.
Low self worth is a great example of this. Many people with self worth issues are Christians and know that God loves them. These wounded saints can quote Scripture about who they are in Christ and the many things that God has done for them. To keep with the definition given above for being teachable they have heard, but have not accepted to the point of action. Thus, the fruit is discouragement which generally reinforces the incorrect belief. This is because the intellectual abilities are simply acting as a storage container rather than a transformer of the belief system.
To truly be teachable in his area we must hear, accept and act on Scripture. We must exchange what we think of ourselves for what God says about us and act on the new information. This brings a balance to self worth issues and to pride which is simply thinking too highly of self. This sounds simple, but because we are so intricately designed we must also be teachable in the other four areas. The emotional area for example will hold a great deal of energy, usually anger and pain, which will hinder the exchanging of an ungodly belief for a godly one.
I compare this area to the rocky soil because the seed was received and quickly sprang up, but there was no depth. When the sun came up it was scorched, withered and died.
The problem with being un-teachable in the area of the mind is not an unwillingness to hear or to make the choice to receive. The problem is that the information is not being acted upon and allowed to change the belief, so when the seasons of life come with their trials the information is discarded because it lacks the conviction that comes from a true belief. The information was only intellectually stimulating and not life transforming. It is when we take the Word of God seriously enough that we act upon it in daily life that the rocky soil is broken up and the seed finds the depth needed to grow.
“But you don’t understand my circumstances” some would say as I have many times myself. It is true that the circumstances of life can provide some very strong reasoning that can hold us back from believing and acting. However, I have found that when I actually lean not on my understanding in a situation and act in faith that God does mighty miracles. One of the greatest miracles He has performed in my life is breaking up the rocky soil and giving depth of conviction about what I believe.
We should pick up our Bibles with the attitude of action rather than a desire to be intellectually stimulated. Paul said in Philippians 4:9 “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.” James also gives us this instruction “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22
Rev. David M. Smuin Pastor / Director Faith Counseling and Training