PURPOSE TO LIVE A TEACHABLE LIFE by steve johnson
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ome of the most difficult Christian more hope for fools than for people who people to engage with are those who think they are wise” (Proverbs 26:12). Teachable people approach life with an are knowledgeable but who have an attitude that they are the final arbiter of truth understanding they can learn from anyon the matter. They are like Job’s comfort- body regardless of that person’s state, staers to whom he sarcastically said, “You tus, or station in life. Such a spirit requires people really know everything, don’t you? humility and such humility keeps the door And when you die, wisdom will die with open to gain knowledge and truth even if it you!” (Job 12:2). In contrast, some of the comes from the most unlikely source. If you most delightful people to engage with are have humility, you’re able to take advice, be those who, despite their vast knowledge coachable, and never stop learning. With humility comes an honesty that and experience in life, are teachable. One of the most important purposes we recognizes when we have done somecan have is to live a teachable life. As Pas- thing wrong or poorly. The humble learn tor Chuck Swindoll says, “Our acute need from mistakes and screwups. Failure is is to cultivate a willingness to learn and to education. They don’t dwell on failure but rather learn from it and move on. To say, remain teachable.”¹ “I messed up” or “I don’t know” requires Teachability has four components. Hum il i t y: a n a dm ission of honesty with oneself and others. How do we get that kind of humility? In limitation Only God is all-sufficient. Only He addition to admitting our limitation we knows and can do everything. Teachability recognize and accept that we (and others) begins when we know and admit our limi- are what we are and have by the sovereign tations in ability or knowledge. “There is grace of God. We are not better or worse
