Are you teachable?

Recently, I received an email from a great young pastor asking for a mentor. In his email, he made a statement assuring me he is teachable. He even gave the name of a reference who can vouch for his “teachability.”

His assurance was music to my ears–and God’s.

Above all else, God wants us to be teachable. Throughout the Bible you will read of Israel’s refusal to be teachable. In fact, Israel is called stiff-necked and hard-hearted. They were people who refused to learn.

Israel suffered through the wilderness because they refused to hear from God. One rebellion followed another. Again and again they rejected plain words and brilliant arguments to only follow their own way.

Teachability is behind the words of the proverb: “there is a way which seems right to a man.” The stubborn, unteachable person will reject wisdom and follow his own way which leads to destruction.

I suppose you can despise a lot of things and get away with it, but you can’t despise wisdom.

What was is it that made David such a great man of God and hero of the faith? It wasn’t his perfection. It wasn’t his ability. It wasn’t his leadership–at least, not at first. It wasn’t his looks or “presence.”

Saul had the looks, the presence, the potential. David had a teachable heart.

God loved David’s teachability. He was willing to do whatever God wanted.

Those of us who are pastors have problems with teachability.

Do you think God doesn’t want His church to grow, prosper, or make a difference? Why aren’t we willing to learn God’s way on God’s terms?

Many Christians have problems with teachability. Though many people come to me with unbelievably difficult problems, others have needs that could be so different if they would simply be teachable.

Instead of following Scripture, following the advice of a Godly believer, or following the wise words of one close to God, they reject wisdom. They refuse to be teachable.

What about you? Are you willing to listen to God and follow His way?

Teachability requires quietness and prayer, humility and meekness, and an openness to God and those through whom God chooses to speak. It’s certainly not the easy road or the broad gate. It is the path that leads to blessing.

Thanks for taking the time to read. Would you also take time to leave a comment or refer this post? Waylonbailey.com is my ministry across the Internet. I would appreciate your sharing it with others.