“Good and upright is the Lord, Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides to justice, And the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” (Psalms 25:8-10, NKJV)
Being teachable is one of those rare and refreshing qualities that is just so easy and pleasant to observe in someone’s life. And the questions we will ask right out of the gate are these: Are we teachable? Are we approachable?
In talking with my endocrinologist about implementing my new insulin pump that is state-of-the-art compared to the one I’ve been using for a number of years … the question was asked if I felt comfortable enough to watch the tutorials on setting the pump up and getting it started.
My pride wanted to say, “No problem … I got this … I don’t need any help!” My heart said, “No way, doc, I need hands-on instruction!
Do you know why this was such an important decision to make? The answer is actually very simple … it’s because my life depends on the proper dosage of insulin and it needs to be set up and administered correctly.
It is in the same way that when it comes to living our lives … none of us has all the answers and none of us gets it right 100% of the time. So in various aspects of our lives … we must be willing to admit not only our personal needs … but possess a willingness to admit our own limitations!
If we cannot do that by reason of pride … by reason of “thinking too highly of ourselves” … we will be forced to learn some very hard lessons the hard way.
And from a spiritual perspective … possessing a teachable and approachable attitude can and will make a difference as to where we will actually find ourselves in eternity!
Someone once said, “To raise a harvest of righteousness demands a certain kind of climate. A crop of righteousness cannot be produced in the climate of bitterness and self-seeking. Righteousness will grow only in a climate of peace.”
One of Satan’s most effective arrows is that of pride. One of the Lord’s most effective ways to negate this poisonous arrow is found in humility!
James writes by inspiration in James 4:6, “… But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
My friends and brethren, our loving God wants us to look to Him and to depend on His grace and mercy … while our adversary wants us to depend on ourselves!
Warning: We are all vulnerable to a prideful and self-serving state of mind that can only lead to our being unteachable … unapproachable … by others and by God!
So we ask again: Are we teachable? Are we approachable?
In our text, the Psalmist is expressing to the Lord a genuine desire to “be guided and taught God’s way.” I would like for each of us to pause for a moment or two and reflect upon his sincere desire …
- The writer expresses his faith in the Lord and his deep desire to honor and glorify His name!
- The writer did not want to fail and bring dishonor … disgrace … to the high and holy name of the Lord!
- The Psalmist knew he needed God’s help.
- He asks out of confidence in the Lord for the wisdom he needed to make the right choices … the right decisions in his life.
- He knew he was vulnerable … to his enemies … to his own thoughts and desires and wanted to know how to better serve and please the Lord.
It is in this passage of Scripture we find the true meaning of being “teachable … approachable … and ultimately God-honoring.”
The first verse of the old hymn that has as much appeal to the heart as ever … Trust And Obey … reads,
“When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.”
Let’s go back to the Book of James and notice one other passage of Scripture that makes it crystal clear what our disposition, our attitude is to be when confronted by some truth read, spoken, etc. James writes by inspiration, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.” (James 3:17-18, ASV)
Are you teachable? Are you approachable? Do others believe you are?
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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