TIMOTHY: A TEACHABLE SPIRIT
It’s been my privilege to mentor several men who were becoming pastors. They were a joy to train because they were very teachable. They were open and willing to learn. They didn’t mind correction and learned from it. If they would have thought they knew all they needed to know and that what they did was always right, I would not have been able to build anything into them. Their pride would have kept them from being open to learning and growing. How sad.
Timothy was a joy for Paul to train because he was open and willing to learn new things. A close bond developed between them, a father-son love and respect (2 Timothy 2:1-2). First and Second Timothy are full of Paul’s advice to Timothy. He corrected him where necessary, taught new things where needed and encouraged him in all he did. When you read these books, you can see how open Timothy must have been to learn and grow. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have been useful to Paul or God.
The Bible says that people who are unteachable are fools (Proverbs 26:12; 11:14). Unteachable people don’t realize they are this way, they just think they are always right (Proverbs 16:12). They see correction or suggestions as personal criticism and are offended (Proverbs 12:1). Their insecurity and fear of being rejected make them unable to consider they may be wrong. It is their pride that won’t allow them to think there may be a better or different way. People with this attitude may pretend to listen, but they have already rejected what is said. They stick with their way, even when it fails.
We all know people who feel they are always right and have to have everything their way. It is bad for them and those around them. It is terrible when God’s leaders are like this. God tries to reach them and help them mature, but they don’t take advice from others as coming from God. They aren’t open to new things God is trying to show them through others. Thus they even block themselves off from God.
If you honestly admit that sometimes you are not very teachable, then humble yourself before God. Pray and ask Him to forgive your pride. Yield to Him and accept His correction and teaching. Ask Him what you can learn from others who try to give you godly advice and suggestions.
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 12:15 tells us, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.”
Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
What is your first response when you are criticized?
How do you react when someone tries to show you a better way of doing something?
How do you react when you are wrong?
Would your wife or children say you are not open to correction and new suggestions? Would God?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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