Teachability

 

It’s a spiritual discipline.  And it’s not my strong suit.  Truth is, I hate criticism, constructive though it may be.  Truth is, I am not fond of being told what to do.

A lack of teachability is a subtle sin, but a sin nonetheless.

It is a form of pride, about which the Bible has these sobering words,  “God abhors the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Yes, abhors….

When Jesus walked the earth, He was drawn not to the wealthy, the prominent, the church-leading know-it-all’s, but rather to those who asked questions, who were open –    who were teachable.

Here are 5 traits that reveal a lack of teachability.

(Worshiplife.com )

1. You get offended when someone tries to teach you something you already know

2. You pretend you already know what’s being taught, even when you don’t

3. You can’t take instruction from those in lower positions

4. You feel certain tasks are beneath you, so you don’t need to learn them

5. You try to “one-up” the one giving instruction by proving you know more than they do

 

The book of James says we should be “quick to listen; slow to speak; and slow to get angry.”

 

All I can  say  is “ouch”.

So today if my dishwasher loading is admonished, if my driving navigation is questioned, if a recipe creation, a tutoring session, a conversation goes awry, may I have a humble and teachable heart.  And admit my failings.

Because frankly, I am pretty bad at loading the dishwasher; my sense of direction is questionable.  I throw things out that should be kept.  I am a mouth-breather.  And I snore.

And here’s how vain I am —   I am sorely tempted to buy that brand new iphone merely because of its ability to make me look better in photos.  Not you.  Me.

 

Sorry, God.

 

 

 

Psalm 25:4

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.