Are you teachable?

📚*Are you teachable*📚? Do you want to learn God’s word from others using their godly knowledge in unification with the knowledge God has given you to sharpen yourself leading you to become —a person of wisdom? ⚔️Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” When you are teachable you know that there are times you will teach and preach the word and then are times when you will be a student learning from others who preach and teach the word. God is our Master who has given each of us gifts to engaged and assist those who serve him faithfully to proclaim the Gospel.

Jesus had a teachable spirit. Whatever God told him to say, that is what he spoke (John 12:49, John 7:16). When teaching God’s word and using his various gifts, we read that Jesus engaged others with humility and compassion. If we are to be imitators of Christ we must engage with others and use our gifts with humility and compassion towards others. Apostle Peter in his letter wrote, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. (1 Peter 4:11)

Despite what Peter encourages, there are some men and women in the body of Christ who minister in their own ability claiming they are glorifying God. Yet, they openly and privately separate themselves from other saints. These are those who:

(1) Preach to others but do not allow others to preach to them (2) Speak as if their opinions are facts over God’s word (3) Promoters of self-interest and not God’s interest (4) Take the belief that they have a greater revelation or anointing of God’s will than others (5) Demonstrate envious behaviors showing unhealthy comparisons of their gifts with someone else' when their teachings are questioned or someone ask a question about their teaching

This is what you call having an unteachable spirit and is considered ungodly behavior toward the brethren. James 3:14-16 says, “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, nonspiritual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice”.

Christians with teachable spirits sharpen each other by having respectable dialogue as they learn and study the word together. In doing this, we strengthen each other’s judgments and understanding of the word, in order to rightly divide and apply the word of God, on an individual and corporal level. Teachable spirits can be liken to iron sharpening iron.

As sharpen blades of the word we keep each other accountable to stay sober-minded in our opinions of ourselves and remain humble in our judgment of others. Speaking and coming to an understanding of God’s word enable us to be renewed daily in the spirit of our minds. Those who isolate themselves for whatever reason risk falling prey to promoting their own vision and exalting themselves higher than they ought to. This why Jesus told Peter, “If you love me feed my sheep.” (John 21:17) Jesus knowing what was in Peter’s heart addressed the separation or division that was lurking therein.

😟 Too many spiritual leaders and layman have forgotten that we are called to work for the glory of God and not the glory of self. 😟 No one should use the Gospel to advance themselves, their special interest or to obtain wealth as that is clearly self-promotion and separation as well.

Keep in mind that the purpose of fellowshipping and using spiritual gifts are to encourage others to engage themselves in God's Word, learn to hear His voice and help others come to understand his or her purpose and calling in life. In doing this, we help each other move into an active role, working with God to further the Kingdom on Earth, (”Let thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”: Matthew 6:10).

We must remain soul conscious at all times maintaining a desire to win souls to Christ. Please understand, you are not soul conscious when you neglect fellowship and believe you have a greater revelation or anointing of God's will than others or promoting your own interest. So take a bow because you are self-serving not God serving, a dull piece of iron.

You wanna know what it takes to avoid promoting your own vision in place of God's vision for his people?

The secret is to remain soul conscious, understanding that some plant, some water, but God is the one that saves "whosoever" believes in him and do his word. Just do your part and be a teachable spirit, promote the Creator, promote his doctrine and show love for his people, teaching them to obey all that Jesus have commanded. (Matthew 28:20) When you are a teacher of the word as well as a student of the word,

then you will serve God, not self.

My prayer always is that we continue to grow in grace, truth, wisdom and walk in love towards one another. Help others benefit from this truth by sharing this message. God bless you.

Copyright: Pamela Johnson, Gail Adams, Beaute Naturelle