“You’re lying! I know that’s not true.” I had quoted a well-documented statistical fact about pastors and prayer. Not the first time this student challenged me, but this response brought his disagreement to a new level. My teaching methods centered around interacting with students, and I actually enjoyed students respectfully disagreeing with something I said. This opened the door for dialogue and clearer insight for the student. During the semester, the entire faculty had expressed concern about this middle aged student over his efforts to denominate classroom discussions with his opinions. It became obvious he enrolled in Bible College seeking a degree rather than an education. After weeks of constant interruptions and now with this defiant attitude, I responded, “My brother, you have an unteachable spirit.” With that, he stormed out of the classroom leaving the other students stunned. They finally shared that he displayed this unteachable attitude in every class. Sadly, he received his diploma but never changed his attitude.
I rarely gave a failing grade to a student who tried. I worked with them one on one if necessary. My one requirement for them and all students was a teachable spirit. Bible College never teaches students everything possible to know about the Bible. Rather it should prepare them for a life time of study and learning. When we stop learning, we stop growing. It is sad to meet Christians who feel they have learned all they need to know. Jesus referred to his followers as disciples. In His final instructions, the Great Commission, he commanded His disciple, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations (Mat 28:19). The word ‘disciple’ used 261 times in the New Testament simply means “a learner.” So, He calls His followers ‘learners’ and commands them to go into the world and make more ‘learners’. The key for becoming a disciple or learner, one must be teachable.
Pride usually lies at the root of an unteachable spirit. Being teachable requires humility and a willingness to be open to something contrary to our understanding. Note, firmness in our biblical beliefs does mean we become unteachable. A person grounded in their beliefs can support what they believe because they have studied the subject carefully using correct interpretations methods. Someone opposing their beliefs does not intimate them.
Jesus constantly faced unteachable attitudes among the Pharisees. They had reduced the Old Testament to a narrow set of dogmatic rules based on tradition. The truth Jesus taught challenged their self-generated comfort zones. Unteachable people easily become defensive. Unable to defend their views against Jesus’ teaching, the Jewish leaders launched into an attack mode and sought to discredit Him. They prided themselves in the fact they were unchangeable.
Unteachable people are normally insecure individuals who, like the Pharisees, have wrapped themselves in a narrow set of beliefs as their protection. They erect barriers they are unwilling to let down even to the Holy Spirit and the Bible.Teachable Christians are open to the Holy Spirit allowing Him to correct unbiblical understanding. The Bible College I attended based its teaching on denominational tradition. As this began failing me, I wrestled through every doctrine I learned. Some remained firmly grounded in scripture. However, other doctrines did not survive a biblical analysis. The Holy Spirit taught me the truth challenging me to discard the false. This often became a painful process. Yet, through my life, this experience trained me to continue challenging myself, “Is this truly what the Bible is saying?” Jesus said the truth would set you free. True understanding brings growth, power, peace, and a hunger for more learning. A teachable student of scripture will tell you the more they learn, the more they realize how much more there is to know.
Jesus encountered multitudes of people who were weary and heavy-laden from the teachings of the Pharisees. He told them to come to Him. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS “(Mat 11:29). Weariness can also result if you stop learning thus you cease growing spiritually. In either case, you must be teachable.
When my closest mentor neared the end of his life, every time I visited, he was sitting in his recliner reading and scribbling notes in a new book with his Bible and several other books on his side table. He always shared something he had learned. He continued this until the day he left this earth. My teacher was a man with a teachable spirit—a true disciple.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Be firm in your beliefs, but remain teachable. Allow the Holy Spirit and the Word to teach you more and more. It will set you free.