A Teachable Heart
Take a moment to look at anything around you. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that you got to know its name or it’s purpose simply because someone taught this to you at some early stage in your life. Interestingly, most of the basics we learnt as children, and then as we grew into adulthood, we may have studied or researched further, to increase our knowledge. So also, our understanding of God, His word and prayer are contributions made by many people right from our childhood. This list of people would include Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Siblings, Teachers, Sunday School Teachers, Pastors, Friends and many others.
In this message we are going to explore the ways in which we as children of God can grow more in the knowledge of God. For this to happen it is vital that we have a teachable heart. Hope this teaching will help us understand the various aspects of being a teachable person.
A teachable person is…
• Humble - Psalm 25:9 - He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. (ESV) Someone said, true humility is being teachable, regardless of how much you know.
• Wise - Proverbs 9:9 - Instruct the wise and they will be even wiser.
• Righteous - Proverbs 9:9 - Teach the righteous and they will learn even more (NLT)
I am sure there may many other qualities that mark a person who is teachable, but I would like to highlight the above three. The basic characteristic of a teachable person is humility. Someone said it this way, “True humility is being teachable, regardless of how much you know.” In other words a person who is not humble, will not be willing to take any kind of teaching from anyone. So also Proverbs 9:9 explains that a wise and righteous person will certainly be teachable, because they understand the value of receiving instructions and gaining knowledge.
As children of God, who teaches us?
1. The Word of God – 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (NLT)
Someone said this aptly, the word of God is useful for teaching (teaches us what is right), for reproof (teaches us what is not right), for correction (teaches us how to get right) and training (teaches us how to stay right). David understood the significance of God’s word when he said in Psalms 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (NLT). God’s word is of paramount importance, as all of our guidance and teaching to live a holy life comes from the word of God.
2. The Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, “When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” (NLT)
John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
(ESV)
The Holy Spirit of God is our best teacher, counsellor and guide. You may have heard someone say that they could not understand the bible as they read it. The reason is that only the Holy Spirit of God can reveal to us the truths about God. Therefore, only a spiritual person, who has the Holy Spirit indwelling them, can receive these spiritual insights. Also we may have experienced times when we are struggling with sin, temptation or a complicated situation, that the Holy Spirit of God will bring to remembrance the Word of God and give us strength to overcome these trials and temptations. The Holy Spirit of God is that still small voice of God inside us that is constantly prompting us to walk in the ways of God and live a life that is pleasing to God.
3. People of God - Philippians 3:17, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” (ESV)
The church of God is the gathering of believers, where we are called to bless and encourage one another. Paul could boldly tell his fellow-believers that they should imitate him and also keep their eyes on other people who are role models whom they could follow. Look around and you will notice may men and women of God who are living exemplary lives, from whom we can learn. It is important that we should mentor those who are younger to us, but it is also crucial that we have in our lives those older to us who can mentor us as well, if we want to continue to grow in our faith and our knowledge of God.
4. Experiences (our own and others as well)
Romans 5:3-5, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (ESV)
2 Corinthians 1:4, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (NLT)
Each of us go through various experiences, good and bad. The experiences we go through are the best teachers, if we are willing to learn. Each experience can make us bitter or better, depending on how teachable we are. Paul explains this in great detail that these sufferings are what produce character, teach us patience and give us hope for the future. This hope is based on God’s love and the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Every time we come out victorious, we allow God to fulfill His purposes in our lives. These experiences are God’s way to refine us to be more like Jesus.
It is important to learn from our own experiences it is equally beneficial to learn from other’s experiences too. Someone said, ‘Smart people learn from their mistakes, wise people learn from others’ mistakes. Someone else said it this way, ‘Learn from other people’s mistakes, and then go and make new ones.” It is also a fact that God comforts us and teaches us through all the hard times, so that we can comfort those who are going through a similar path.
Examples from the Bible of those who were teachable
Let us look at some people in the Bible who had this teachable heart.
• Naaman – 2 Kings 5
Naaman was the commander in the Syrian army. He was infected with leprosy. When a Jewish slave girl who worked for his wife, advised that he go to the prophet Elisha to receive healing, Naaman took up the suggestion. He travelled to Israel with his men just to meet the prophet. As Naaman stood at the entrance of Elisha’s house, he was annoyed that the prophet did not come out to grant him instant healing, but rather instructed him through his servant to go and wash seven times in the river Jordan. As Naaman stood enraged, and in a dilemma, whether to obey the prophet or not, his servants counselled him to obey the words of the prophet. Here again Naaman heeded the advice of his servants as recorded in 2 Kings 5:13 and received his miraculous healing. Naaman is a great example of a man with a humble and teachable heart.
King David – 2 Samuel 12
King David sinned when he took Uriah’s wife Bathsheba to be his own and plotted to have Uriah killed in battle. Nonetheless, when the prophet Nathan confronted David in 2 Samuel 12, here are the penitent words of David in 2 Samuel 12:13, David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” (ESV) David was the King of Israel, but here was a man who had a teachable heart. Psalm 51 is the most beautiful Psalm of repentance, where David acknowledged that his sin was against God alone. He begged God to restore to him the joy of his salvation and these are his words in Psalm 51:13, “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” (NKJV) David realized that when He allowed God to work in His life, He would be a channel to teach others to walk in the ways of God. No wonder then, this glorious testimony of David - that he was a man after God’s own heart.
Oftentimes we fall into temptation and sin like David. Nonetheless, when we repent and overcome, and learn from our mistakes, we will become those vessels whom God can use to teach and help others who are struggling in those same areas as we did.
• Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch – Acts 8
In Acts 8: 26-40 we read about Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, both of whom were teachable. Philip was teachable in that he was willing to obey the voice of the angel of the Lord, to go into the desert to meet the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Ethiopian Eunuch too was teachable in that he was so willing and glad to receive the interpretation to the scripture that he was reading. As Philip explained in detail about Jesus and the work that He accomplished for us on the cross, the Ethiopian Eunuch willingly received the word. In that short journey through the desert, not only did the Ethiopian Eunuch believe on the word that was taught him, he was also so obedient that he got baptized immediately.
• The Jews at Berea – Acts 17
Paul preached at Thessalonica where many believed, but there were also a group of Jews who were unwilling to listen to Paul and created much trouble for him. Paul therefore decided to move out of Thessalonica and went on to Berea. In Berea there was a group of Jews who were so noble and teachable. We read in Acts 17:11, “And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” (NLT) They did not reject the teachings of Paul but were willing to explore from the scriptures to check out if what Paul taught them was true.
We too need to be open-minded if we want to learn more about God. Often our traditions or background can be a hindrance to us listening to and heeding the voice of God. That was one of the reasons why many Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day were unwilling to believe in Him. They were so blinded by their traditions, that they were unwilling to accept Jesus as the Messiah. A teachable heart means to be open-minded and willing to change our beliefs to come in alignment with God’s word.
• King Nebuchadnezzar – Daniel 4
Daniel Chapter 4 records the account of King Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty King of Babylon. He’s the example of someone who had to learn things the hard way. Though he was warned by God in a dream, and though Daniel admonished him to repent and turn from his iniquities, Nebuchadnezzar was not willing. Pride filled his heart and the consequence was that he was driven from men, lost his kingdom and was lowered to live like an animal. It was only when Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes toward God, repented and gave glory to the God of heaven did God restore back to him the kingdom.
If we are unteachable like King Nebuchadnezzar was, we will have to go through the mill in order to learn what God wants to teach us. So it’s really up to us. We can learn the easy way or chose to learn the hard way.
What should we be taught?
• The way we should go….Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;”(ESV)
• To walk in God’s truth Psalm 86:11, “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth;” (ESV)
• To do God’s will Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!” (ESV)
Every day we are faced with numerous challenges and have to make so many decisions. God is willing to instruct and teach us the way we should go if we are willing to let Him do so. We also need to walk in the truth. These are days where it is so easy to compromise, when challenged with conflict between the word of God and the world. It is only when we walk in the truth, (and we know that Jesus is the Truth), can we live a life of no compromise. The other important aspect we need to be taught, is the will of God. If we choose anything other than the will of God, we will certainly lose out on the peace and joy that should be ours. Staying within the will of God is the safest place for us as God’s children.
Am I really teachable?
Below are a few questions that will help us analyze if we are truly teachable or not.
1. Am I eager and willing to learn?
2. Do I have a Know-It-All attitude?
3. Can I take advice from others?
4. Do I argue and find it hard to accept blame?
5. Do I find it easy to apologize when I am in the wrong?
6. Am I willing to change?
7. Do I listen more than I talk?
8. Do I get defensive when criticized?
9. Can I take suggestions from those younger or less qualified than me?
10. Do I obey God’s word in every situation?
11. Am I listening to the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit?
An Arabian proverb says it this way, ‘He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool shun him. He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a child, teach him. He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep, wake him. He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man. Follow him.’
When should one stop being teachable?
If you are wondering as to when one should stop being teachable, here’s my thought, ‘Not on this side of eternity.’ We should be always learning, willing to change, willing to grow. We should be ready to learn from everyone, sometimes even from our children and those younger to us. Let’s be humble, teachable and always keep learning. May God grant us His grace to have a teachable heart. God bless you.
By Esther Collins
