Proverbs 8:32-36
Now therefore listen to me, O you sons; for blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not refuse or neglect it. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds life and draws forth and obtains favor from the Lord. But he who misses me or sins against me wrongs and injures himself; all who hate me love and court death.
Are you teachable? Having an unteachable spirit is a PITFALL for prophetic scribes. But you must answer this question at some point in your walk with the Lord, “Are you teachable…. really?”
Nearly every person who will answer this question will say, “Surely, I am teachable.” Well I tell you, I thought I was teachable to until it was brought to my attention by some who are very close to me sometime ago that I often acted like a “know it all.” Do you remember the “know-it-alls” from grade school? I do! There was always someone in the class who was raising their hands with the right answer.
While this isn’t always a bad thing, it can lead to a state of mind in which no one– and absolutely no one — can tell you anything because you already know the answer.
My spiritual father said this to me one day: “Theresa, there are many things that you have shared with me that I already know. But because I love you and respect who you are in God I listen. While I might have the experience and the wisdom, I always find that there are things you say that I may not have considered — though I’ve preached on this subject for more than 20 years. You know why I listen?”
I said, “Why?”
He answered: “No matter how much I’ve done, experienced or heard … I recognize that this new generation is getting some fresh revelation. I love learning. So although I may know a thing or two, I take the time an allow you to teach me from your perspective. Then, when I go preach … I can share what I’ve learned from you with what the Lord has revealed to me… and present a relevant, fresh word to His people by the leading of his spirit. One thing I’ve learned in this life is that I must never stop learning.”
I was humbled by this. When I was new to the word I was VERY teachable, but as I matured and developed some understanding, I somehow became “my own” teacher — which can be a very dangerous place to be if not placed in proper perspective. The greatest weapon we have in the body of Christ is the KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ. Being ignorant to the word is the greatest weakness. Proverbs 8:32-36 clearly states this. You see, wisdom is gained through LEARNING. You can only learn if you are TEACHABLE.
What do we mean by being teachable within Voices of Christ, with your mentors and leaders?
It simply means to be childlike in your learning, eager or ready and willing to be taught. In today’s time, most people want to TEACH. This attitude is very dangerous to any minister — but has specific negative consequences to a scribe. This was the GREATEST problem the Pharisees had.
An unteachable person is one who believes they “have arrived” in their learning, and that there is nothing you or I can tell them to enhance their knowledge. They believe that you should be learning from them now. The thing is, THIS ATTITUDE IS SUBTLE! Now this is not a spirit. It is a MINDSET. It is a way of thinking! It is an attitude! You can’t get delivered from this … you must actually change this behavior.
In Proverbs 8:32-36, one of the key word in that scripture is that we are being addressed as “CHILDREN.” The second most important word is “WISDOM.”
Characteristics of an UNTEACHABLE PEOPLE:
1. Argumentative. Have you ever tried to tell someone whom you were mentoring or leading something – whether it is a word of instruction or you are correcting them – and they become defensive, combative and argumentative. You can’t talk to them because they are trying to get “their” point across and have you see “their” perspective. Please know that when people do this to those whom they “sit under” — that they actually think they are on the same level spiritually that you are, and that they are of equal stature to you in leadership. The sad part about this is that most times — they cannot see it. They are blinded by their own righteousness and intellect. What you are battling in many cases is “intellect” — not religion or tradition. This is the MOST COMMON & OBVIOUS sign of the operation of being unteachable. (Proverbs 9:8 shares some wisdom on this!)
2. Irritable. Have you ever seen people who just get “irritable” when they hear your voice or when you begin trying to explain something? You are the leader or the person in charge, and there’s someone in your midst who believes they have more insight on the subject than you. While they could be right, the humility on the inside of them should cause them to submit — not fight. Hidden beneath this irritability is a subtle rebellion, pride, familiarity, and a host of other strongholds that “are” spiritual in nature. When they are in control, however, they seem to be at peace.
3. Self Willed. Have you ever tried to share with someone how they should handle a situation or proceed with a certain thing in ministry? After all, they came to you for advice and guidance. When you tell them, they puff up… and decide that this is “not God” and they shut down and fail to share anything else with you. In addition, they stick to their old patterns an practices of doing things — even if they do not work or have the same results. You can place the “vision God gave them” right in their hands … but for some reason, they want to do it “their way.” This is self will. They are incapable of being followers. As a result, they are unteachable.
4. Religious Formality. Have you met people who are unwilling to release traditions? For example, they say things like: This is how I’ve always done it! No, it must be done like this or like that! For some reason, it is very difficult for people stuck in religion to seek God for a fresh perspective. If the pastor wears jeans to Sunday service or if a person begins speaking in tongues during worship they leave the church — not out of fear or something, but because it just does not line up with the traditions they have grown up with. Religious cares nothing about liberty in the spirit, and it has everything to do with tradition.
5. Justification. Have you ever met people who “justify” everything …. even when they are in error! They always find a way to turn that situation back on you — even if you are the leader. They remind you of what “other people are doing” and “what you haven’t done.” They will go to the EXTREME to prove themselves “JUSTIFIED” in their thoughts, actions and behavior. They will also work hard to convince you that they are doing what “THEY THINK” is best. This is another really subtle “characteristic” … and you REALLY have to have the spirit of discernment to identify this attitude in a person.
6. Isolation. I must tell you, this IS a characteristic of being unteachable. There are people who think they are in a place that is “so separated unto the Lord” that they don’t even need the advice, guidance, leadership or advice of those who have been sent by God to “LEAD” them. They separate themselves even more from people whom they “feel” are not “qualified” to tell them anything … even if the person has been appointed to do so by leadership. In this instance, this kind of “isolation” is not a spirit — it is a very bad attitude that needs to be adjusted.
7. Offended. This is another BIG one. Many people who are unteachable walk in a strong spirit of offense. In other words, their “pride” has been injured or a perceived “wrong” has been done to them. As a result, they “shut down” and may, at some point, move into a place of isolation or even disconnect from the people or ministry they are associated with altogether. Many of these offenses are “hidden” … and can reek havoc on a ministry or an individual when revealed. Often times, more comes behind their words than they actually convey. It takes DISCERNMENT to recognize this subtle characteristic.
It is important for us to recognize these characteristics – if any — exist in ourselves. I’ve noticed that folk love to point out the flaws of other people, but cannot seem to apply these to their own heart. I know these characteristics because I HAVE BEEN UNTEACHABLE in my life. I’m not ashamed to say this. But I am a better person because I learned to SUBMIT TO THE LORD … and repent to those whom I’ve failed to honor who have been set in authority over me on some level.
As scribes, we must understand that one of the most important aspects of our call is to be able to teach others. But to “teach” … you must first be “taught.” Yes, we learn from the Holy Spirit, but we also learn from those the Lord place around us. Holy Spirit is well able to teach us through others. So if that means we must be STUDENTS… in our ministry, our lives, etc. — then let it be as God wills.
The question is .. .can you take it! Can you be taught?
Matthew 13:16-17 AMP says, “But blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men [men who were upright and in right standing with God] yearned to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
