Are You Teachable?
Like many Christians we have gone through years of studying the Scriptures, asking questions, doing word studies and reading commentary after commentary… and, praise God, He opened our eyes to begin to understand the mysteries contained within His Word. This was no special revelation to us because we are oh-so-wonderful-and-special, but rather this was simply the answer of a faithful God to committed bondservants who diligently and faithfully sought—and still seek— His face. Wisdom and understanding is and always has been open to everyone.
We don’t know it all. We don’t even know a fraction of the immensity of the depths of God. But we are seeking. We are searching for His truth, which is absolute, yet we know that in our finite minds we can in no way comprehend the infinite. We can observe the logic of His Word, and process through it using logic, but we can’t confine God to just logic. It is but a glimpse of one of His many facets.
We can observe the emotions in God’s Word, and process through it using our emotions, but we can’t confine God to just emotions. It is still but a glimpse of one of His many facets.
But here’s where it can be bewildering... How can so many Christians – Christians with what appears to be a mature understanding of the Word – be so close-minded to being teachable? Where does it say that once we know something, and for the moment it fits the puzzle and it makes sense, that we are to never revisit it again to perhaps see if we’ve missed a piece or two? What happens to ANY of us when we close the book on one topic, saying, “There. I know it. Done. On to the next”? Are we ever going to know it all about any one subject pertaining to the Word of God? Absolutely not. Will God reveal more and more and more to us as we search? Absolutely. But only if we seek with pure and humble hearts.
Now, this doesn’t mean that we are to be thrown about by every wind of doctrine; we must keep our hedgerows in place (the supposed “non-negotiables” if you will) as we study more and more about the endless Word of God. But there may be times when we need to re-evaluate the veracity of our hedgerows, and scripturally compare them to make sure they are accurate and line up with the entirety of the Word of God. Church, we have to do this.
We admit that we have been stubborn at times when it comes to questioning what we know. We also admit that, at times, we have been decidedly unteachable. However, through the awesome relationships that we have with other Christians, we have come to a place where it’s okay to be asked the question, “What if you’re wrong?” or told, “That is not scripturally accurate.” And in search of the answers to those type questions, we have found that it does matter immensely who you do your studying with. Antagonistic personalities (and unteachable personalities) are not the best ones to do word searches with, nor is it profitable to study the Bible with agenda-driven Christians. But, when two or more like-minded Christians get together with a common goal - and with humble spirits - the benefits are astounding and the results truly Spirit-born.
Christians, use your brains; they are God-given. Use your brains and chuck your ego. Ask God questions. He can handle it. Question what you know, because if it’s Truth, it will remain concrete. Be steadfast and committed to understanding the totality of God’s Word and be steadfast and committed to making the application of that Word first and foremost in your life. Live the Word as you study it.
But please please please Christians, remain teachable. Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, allow the Lord to come alongside you and show you something new, something you may have missed. Let Him open your eyes and your hearts to see His Truth, as revealed in His Word.