4 Keys to Developing a Teachable Spirit

For any of us to reach to our full potential, we must first develop to a level of maturity, consistently marked by a teachable spirit. Adopting a teachable spirit forms a fundamental aspect of Christian discipleship and spiritual growth. A teachable spirit is demonstrated by those who are humble, open to instruction, accepting of correction, and seeking wisdom.

I recently watched a movie from the 1970’s called “The Miracle Worker”. The movie chronicles the beginning of Helen Keller’s journey from the isolated world of being deaf, blind, and mute toward learning language and excelling in the public sphere. The family hired Anne Sullivan, herself once partially blind, as governess for six-year-old Helen. Anne approached the daunting task with tenacity. First, however, she needed to turn Helen’s undisciplined, willful, and ill-tempered attitude around. It became an all-out battle of wills between Anne and Helen. Before long, Anne’s consistent love and faithfulness toward Helen won out. Confusion fell away as Helen began to accept Anne as a friend rather than a foe. As Helen submitted to Anne’s teaching and leadership, she excelled exponentially. Helen’s gifted intelligence soon became evident, but not before she became teachable.

The same is true for each of us. We have a loving Heavenly Father, the real Miracle Worker, attempting to shape and mold our lives for the better. Will we adopt a teachable spirit, aligning with what He is doing within and through us? Or will we, like Helen Keller resist, holding to our own undisciplined, willful attitudes?

Humility

Perhaps the greatest key to developing a teachable spirit comes from humility — an acknowledgement that we don’t have all the answers and need help from others. It seems we are born with a bent toward independence. How many times do we hear a toddler emphatically say, “I do it myself!” Though key to growth, a do-it-myself attitude can get us into a lot of trouble — especially when we lack humility.

A humble heart seeks knowledge and the gentle molding of God’s Word.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.“
Matthew 11:29

The Bible tells us of a devote Christian named Apollos. He had been effectively teaching and reaching people for Jesus. Nevertheless, his knowledge was incomplete. As he humbly received further training from others in the faith, his ministry was propelled even further.

” … Apollos … was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.”
Acts 18:24-26

In humility, Apollos welcomed the necessary instruction. The scope of His success immediately grew.

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Open to Instruction

Helen Keller, at six-years-old, was perhaps no different than any of us. Immaturity reveals itself through an inability to receive and apply instruction. Oh, how necessary to accept advice and counsel from friends, family, pastors, employers, or even strangers! Helen’s physical deafness hindered her from hearing the voice of loving instruction. Spiritual deafness might just as easily do the same for any of us. How many unnecessary and difficult paths do we take because we resist and refuse the instruction of others?

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
Proverbs 12:15

Maturity, however, seeks to filter sound counsel even from voices of critical judgement or harsh criticism. Of course, we are wise to glean all counsel through the wisdom of Scripture and the affirmation of Holy Spirit. Just as any fine artist submits to professional critique, we would do well to voluntarily seek accountability and mature counsellors.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17

Even a short venture into a metal working shop will give us a hint to what iron sharpening iron might look like — searing shards of splintered metal fly hither and yon in the process. The metal worker and our miracle working God mold with purpose and intention. Receiving instruction and accepting correction go hand in hand to sharpen and perfect us.

Accepts Correction

Before accepting correction, we all remain stagnant in our growth and development. When we desire to become skilled and proficient, we seek both instruction and correction. A small degree of error now will become a huge drift off course without adjustments being made. Whether the posture of a ballerina, the stroke of an artist’s brush, or the precision of the carpenter’s saw, minor adjustment early avoids great pains later. The sooner we curb bad habits the better!

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
Proverbs 19:20

Discipline accurately means to train or develop by instruction and exercise, especially to adopt self-control. Viewing discipline from that perspective helps us to receive correction (whether from God or others) with much more grace.

““Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”
Job 5:17

Perhaps Helen resisted correction out of fear or confusion. We are more apt to resist out of pride, self-righteousness, or self-sufficiency. Those with a teachable spirit easily bend and adjust, viewing correction as an integral part of their growth and development> Though often painful, correction is absolutely necessary for us all.

Loves Wisdom

The heart of a teachable spirit comes to those who seek God for wisdom, direction, and understanding. Such a proactive stance demonstrates a genuine willingness to learn from Him and an openness to receive His counsel.

• “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise” (Psalm 111:10).
• “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

And it will be given to you! That’s a promise!

Advice, discipline, and wisdom all weave together within the hearts of those striving to develop a teachable spirit. Is God pressing His finger only on my heart in these matters? Or are the elements of a teachable spirit that you, too, desire to more fully embrace?

Teachable Spirit

What if Anne Sullivan had never intervened or resigned from such a difficult task? What if Helen Keller had never yielded to Anne’s firm and unorthodox practices? The outcome would have been markedly different. Helen would have, like multiple others of her time, remained locked in an isolated world of rejection and confusion. Her brilliance would never have benefited so many others. First though, Helen needed to humbly bend to instruction, accept correction, and depend on the wisdom of others.

What if? What if God has so much more for us than even we could imagine? Which trait, or compilation of traits, might we lack to move from baby steps to leaps of spiritual growth? God alone knows.

Father God, thank You for using the lives of others to teach me and lead me closer to Your ways and Your truth. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. Reveal strongholds and beliefs that keep me from Your perfect plan and achieving all You have designed for my life. Lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm139:23-24).
Father, grant me a teachable spirit. Show me where pride possesses and humility waits. Though correction may be difficult to accept, may I receive it with grace, learning and applying understanding to new ways. May my heart ever be tender and pliable.
Father, forgive my foolish and childish ways. Lead me to accept Your wisdom and counsel. May I be one who both hears and applies Your truth to my life. Thank You for the biblical patterns and living examples of those who walk with a genuine teachable spirit. May I quickly learn from them and follow their example.
Father, grant me patience in the journey to endure whatever challenges are ahead. Cause me to focus my heart and thoughts on You. May perseverance finish its work, so that I might become mature and complete (James 1:4). May I view each day as a fresh start, a new opportunity, to embrace a teachable spirit in every way.
Thank you, Father, for Your unending grace and mercy over my steps.
Amen.

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