The Teachable Spirit
Matthew 11:29
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…”
The very nature of God is that of the great teacher. In the very beginning He created an immense earth with a very overwhelming place of dwelling for his most beloved creation: man. He then proceeded to show man all that he had made for him. He began the God-Man relationship with instruction, teaching, and guidance.
Instruction from the Voice of God is always the opening to intimacy and relationship with Him.
The Bible speaks of the “ways of the Spirit”, “the knowledge of the Lord”, and “His thoughts”. It is the intention of God to teach us His character, His judgments, and His will. Without this learning we are useless to His kingdom purpose and plan; and, throughout the Bible we seldom ever hear the voice of God speak without it’s purpose being that of teaching and/or loving.
Teaching and loving are so very closely related. Christ even said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
A new born baby is born into a world surrounded by knowledge, science, understanding, etc.; however, his mere birth does not fill him with this profuse supply of understanding. As he matures he must submit to the instruction of his parents and other influencers in this life to grow in earthly knowledge. Likewise, Christ says, “Take my yoke upon me…” and then he proceeds to say that there is more to this connection than just being yoked together with him. You must go on to “learn from me…”
Many declare to be yoked to God but they do not have a teachable spirit. The New Birth and a teachable spirit are a marriage without which no man will see God.
TEACH ME, LORD.
David cried it out to the Spirit of God 16 times. “Teach me!” The attitude that cries “Teach me!” is essential to carry the anointing of God! But it is a hard confession!
The one that cries “Teach me!” is also admitting his lack of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. He is declaring his need to submit to God’s methods: God’s Word, God’s Spirit, and God’s Men! GOD’S TEACHERS
The Word is riddled with God’s methods for teaching. God taught lessons through prayer, through His Word, and even used a donkey. There is, however, one consistent way which God chose to teach us. In the Old Testament the World declared the priest to be a “teaching priest”, Ezra stepped up and instructed the people in the “ways of the God of the land”. In the New Testament the Bible says God gave the church a faculty who were called to be “speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things.” (Eph. 4:15).
Ephesians 4;11-12
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
You can’t be truly teachable until you will hear the truth of God’s Word when it is spoken in love by the professors which God has chosen for the edification of the body of Christ. The ministry God has called must be ready to teach and preach the Word, and you must be ready to learn and have a “teach me” attitude!
I know many “stay at home” children of God who are deceived into believing they are going to graduate without ever hearing God’s teachers – there is much Biblical proof to show that they will be sadly mistaken when graduation day arrives.
YOU CAN’T PLEASE GOD WITHOUT GOD’S FACULTY
God calls men to teach us. A brief study of Ephesians 4:11-15 will show you that without this ministry of called men in your life the following will occur:
Verse 12: Without them you cannot come unto the perfection God has called you and you will not be built up to withstand the enemy of your soul.
Verse 13: You cannot come into the unity of the faith, gain knowledge and understanding at the level God ordains for you.
Verse 14: You cannot gain maturity in spiritual matters, you will be unstable, and you will be open to deception to false doctrine.
HOW CAN I ENSURE I MAINTAIN A TEACHABLE SPIRIT?
1. A man who has a Bible that is falling apart, always has his life together. Make time for the Word. Read it with a readiness to learn from God. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “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.”
2. Find a pastor of a local congregation. Recognize that he is not called for your comfort, but to teach you. Lose the arrogance and pride. Understand that Submission is not tried or proven until you disagree and then still comply regardless. Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
3. Find a mentor who is wise in your pastor’s eyes. Curiosity is a virtue. Ask questions and learn to listen to the answers. Prov. 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
4. Make the altar call the most important part of your church service. Fall on your knees and apply what was just preached to your life. Psalm 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
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About Me-
- Jayson Pagan
- Salina, Kansas, United States
- Being raised in a home void of leadership, leading people does not come natural for me. After creating much havoc and chaos, it is my endeavor to share with others the lessons that I have learned along the way. I am a bilingual minister with the UPCI and have spent time pastoring, evangelizing, and have functioned for the last 8 years as the Administrator of a wonderful and growing Church in Southern Illinois. I have also been at the helm of successfully growing a small construction company to become a multi-million dollar industry. Space does not permit all the lessons learned!