Teachableness

A quality in those who desire to learn, present in the disciples of Jesus Christ and seen in Christ's relationship to his Father. Unwillingness to receive the truth leads to spiritual darkness.

The importance of teachableness

For spiritual growth

Hebrews 12:5–12 See also Hebrews 5:11–14

And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.

For a life of obedience

Philippians 4:9 See also James 1:25; Revelation 3:3

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

For discerning God's guidance

Proverbs 3:5–6 See also Psalm 25:4–5; Romans 12:2

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

The requirements for teachableness

Eagerness to learn

Proverbs 18:15; Isaiah 50:4–5 See also 2 Chronicles 26:3–5; Psalm 27:11, Psalm 43:3, Psalm 86:11, Psalm 119:9–11, Psalm 139:23–24, Psalm 143:8–10

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back.

Willingness to learn

From God: Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 5:27; Exodus 20:18–19; Deuteronomy 18:15, Deuteronomy 31:12; Nehemiah 8:3, Nehemiah 8:9; Psalm 34:11; Proverbs 4:10–13, Proverbs 4:20–21, Proverbs 8:32–33, Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 23:22–23; Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 19:20, Proverbs 22:17, Proverbs 25:12; Matthew 12:42 parallel Luke 11:31; Matthew 17:5 parallels Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35; John 10:27; Luke 12:11–12; Revelation 2:7

Readiness to ask for help

Acts 8:30–31 See also Mark 4:10, Mark 9:11, Mark 9:28, Mark 10:10, Mark 13:4; Luke 3:12, Luke 11:1

So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Readiness to pray for wisdom

James 1:5 See also 2 Chronicles 20:12; Psalm 143:8–10

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Readiness to pray for spiritual insight

Ephesians 1:17–19 See also Ephesians 3:16–19; Colossians 1:9

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,

Humility

1 Corinthians 3:18–20 See also Job 6:24; Proverbs 11:2; Matthew 11:29, Matthew 18:3–4; 1 Corinthians 8:1–2; James 1:21

Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

Living by truth already known

John 8:31–32 See also 2 Peter 1:5–8

So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Jesus Christ was willing to be taught by the Father

John 15:15 See also John 5:30, John 8:26–28

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

Hindrances to teachableness

The activity of the devil

2 Corinthians 4:4 See also 2 Timothy 2:25–26

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Not having the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:14

The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Unwillingness to be taught

Isaiah 48:17–18 See also Psalm 32:9, Psalm 81:11–12; Matthew 13:14–15 parallels Mark 4:12, Luke 8:10; Isaiah 6:9–10; Luke 11:52 The “key to knowledge” is the fulfilment of the OT Scriptures in Jesus Christ; Luke 16:31, Luke 19:41–44; James 1:22–24

Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.

Reliance on the wisdom of the world

1 Corinthians 1:19–20 See also Isaiah 29:14; Romans 1:21–23; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Being afraid to ask questions

Mark 9:32 parallel Luke 9:45

But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.