Being Teachable

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandment Psalms 119:66 (NKJV)

There's probably no greater writing on a person willing to be teachable than Psalm 119.  There are ten references by the author within this Psalm where he asks God, "Teach me Your statutes."  It is clear this person wants very badly to be taught God's Word.  

Q:    What does it mean to be teachable?
A:     It means we are capable of being taught and we are apt and willing to learn.

Q:    Why are we to be teachable people?
A:    So that we can learn the things of God, apply them to our life, and be transformed to be Christ-like. 

When we come to a place where we are no longer teachable, the transformation process will stop within our lives.  The enemy likes this because without transformation, we will ultimately be conformed to the ways of this world.  This is not what God has planned for us.  It is His desire for us to have our minds renewed by reading His Word, so we might know His will for our life.   And by knowing His we will be transform in the way we live. We see this clearly in the Book of Romans. 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

More often than not, we can tend to be offended when we are being confronted and corrected.  Instead of learning from what is being said, and coming in agreement with any truths spoken, we can become puffed up in the flesh, and irritated or even angry in our countenance.   We might even respond by attempting to point out potential flaws in the person confronting us - deflecting from the real issue being brought up, and causing further damage with a sinful response.  When this happens, we are not being teachable.  

As Christian men and women, we are called to sharpen each other, much like iron sharpening iron (See Prov. 27:17).  When we see a brother or sister erring, we are to come alongside and confront in love.  We are to speak truth into their lives and encourage them.  Those who are wise will receive this rebuke, but those who are steadfast in being foolish will likely ignore the corrective counsel and will learn nothing.  We see this being spoken of in Proverbs.

Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. Proverbs 17:10 (NKJV)

It is important to ask ourselves if we are teachable, and to honestly answer.  We would all like to think we are, but the facts may show themselves much differently.  Some of us might even be reading this and saying to ourselves, "I don't have anyone coming to me and speaking into my life, or rebuking me for my actions."  And this may be true because those people might not even be willing to approach you to give you any input.  They may have concluded you are unapproachable and anything they say will be met with a defensive attitude or major blowout. 

Hey Christian, ultimately either we are teachable or we are not.  We are either humble or prideful.  We are either willing to change, or we are stubbornly entrenched in our ways, and not willing to learn new ones.  Yeah, we get to have free will, but we have a responsibility with that freedom.  Let's not be the Old dogs who are unwilling to learn new stuff.  Let's let God continue to change and transform us until the day we see Him face-to-face.  

STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures contained within this devotional with respect to our learning?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you teachable?  Are you willing to learn from whomever God sends to share with you?

APPLICATION: Practice self-discipline and take time to listen to what is being spoken.  Ask yourself, "Am I doing what is being stated?"  If you are, then apologize, repent, and praise God for sending someone to speak into your life.  Thank the person for caring as well, and end your conversation with a humble spirit and in prayer.