InstaEncouragements Building a worldwide online community of encouragers encouraging others in the faith of Jesus Christ. Join the movement!
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Library >
      • Bible Emergency Numbers
      • LOVE Coupons
      • Christmas Songbook
      • Character Trait Worksheet
      • The Red Sea Rules
      • The Heart That Heals Printable Package
      • 12 Letters I Wrote
      • 16 Names of God
      • Praying Proverbs
      • Come and Gather
      • Bible Reading Plan
      • Disciple Me Program
    • Christianity
    • Bible Study >
      • 14 Things God’s Love Letter Says About You
      • A Journey of Worship
      • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
      • She Loves Truth
      • Hey Mama! PRAY
      • 52 Days in Psalms
      • 10 Weeks in the New Testament
      • 2 Months in The Pentateuch
      • 12 Minor Prophets
      • 3 Biblical Statements
      • 7 Books of Faith
      • 4 Major Prophets
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • Praying Proverbs
    • Jordan River Rules
    • Choosing Gratitude
    • Aging With Grace
    • Seeking Him
    • She Loves Truth
    • Red Sea Rules
  • Come & Dwell
  • The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God
    • 16 Names of God Media Package
TDGC shop the sale

Do I have a Teachable Spirit?

5/26/2020

20 Comments

 
Do I have a Teachable Spirit?
​This is a breakout post from our 27-day devotional, Come and Gather: Family Time With God, or what we lovingly refer to as Gather. You'll find this post featured in Part Two: Days 6-10 A Walk Through God’s Word.

Our text today is from Proverbs 12:15.
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15
It has been said of some, they’re not always right, but they are never in doubt. The Bible would call that type of person a fool.

Thirty-six times in Proverbs the fool is mentioned as one who:
  • Will not heed warnings
  • Will not receive instruction
  • Makes light of sin​
The Daily Grace Co. logo banner
The Daily Grace Co. banner
​To have a teachable spirit is a wealth beyond measure. God has granted varying degrees of intelligence and ability to different people, but when a person learns early in life to have a teachable spirit that person is much more likely to be successful.

​​
A very wise counselor once told me, every person you meet can teach you something. I have found this not only to be true, but a valuable reminder. It is often difficult to take instruction from someone who may not present it in the most tactful way or from someone who may not be as old or experienced, but the statement still stands, every person you meet can teach you something. 
Just the other day, my seven-year-old son shared a fact with me he learned at school about the difference between an octopus and a squid that I did not know. I don’t know how I will ever use that information, but that is not important. The value of that experience was it reminded me that I can learn something from every person, even my own child. ​
God gives us many people we can learn from. Children are given parents and yes, parents are given children. Students have teachers and teachers have students. Employees have employers and employers have employees. The avenue of instruction and learning is a two-way street.

The root of the unteachable spirit is, in a word, PRIDE. God save us from an attitude of pride that will rob us of a chance to learn and grow.
“Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 18:12
While it is true that every person you meet can teach you something, so can every situation you face. What has your teachable spirit learned recently from a situation you've faced?
Come and Gather: Family Time With God published with permission
​Pastor Jeremy Sweatt, Farmington Avenue Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut

Come and Gather: Family Time with God

Introducing Come and Gather: Family Time with God, or what we lovingly refer to as Gather.

Gather is a lovely, 35-page, daily devotional centered around families enjoying time together with God and each other.
Come and Gather layout

This 27-day devotional is divided into 3 parts: ​

Part One: Days 1-5, is written specifically with husbands and wives in mind. In this part of Gather, husbands and wives will explore 5 Signs of a Functional Family.

5 Signs of a Functional Family includes:
  1. An Attitude of Service
  2. Intimacy Between the Husband and Wife
  3. Husbands Who Are Loving Leaders
  4. Parents Who Teach and Train
  5. Children Who Honor and Obey​

​Part Two: Days 6-20, is written with the whole family in mind. It's A Walk Through God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation we will discuss subjects like God's mercy and protection, being humble, dealing with difficulties, having a teachable spirit, dependence on God, and much more.

Part Three: Days 21-27, is a Men of God Character Study. We'll learn character traits that every Christian should strive to demonstrate in their life straight from characters in God's Word. 

At the end of Gather, you'll find a place for your family to record specific prayer requests. I love being specific with my prayer request and seeing God answer in specific ways. Recording the answers, as well as the requests, is a great way to help your children see God working in your lives.
grab your copy of come and gather over in our little Etsy shop

Please Share
20 Comments
Barbara Harper link
5/26/2020 09:13:41 am

My husband and I were just talking about this recently. Sometimes even in everyday conversations, it's hard to talk with some people because they just cannot see anyone's viewpoint but their own. I'm praying God will show me my own blind spots and help me be humble enough to acknowledge them and seek His grace to change.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/26/2020 09:30:54 am

That's a prayer I need to pray as well, Barbara!

Reply
April link
5/26/2020 10:10:29 am

I think it's always a good reminder to keep a check on, being willing to have a teachable spirit. We can many times get stuck in being one-sided, when it comes to certain topics. Now, of course we should always be stuck when it comes to doctrinal view points, where the gospel is concerned. But in other areas of life, we need to be willing to listen to various view points, being balanced is something I feel is so important.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/26/2020 03:41:12 pm

Balanced is good, April. Being willing to be teachable is also important. And I totally agree that when it comes to doctrine, we don't budge.

Reply
Lisa notes link
5/26/2020 11:10:13 am

It's more pleasurable to talk to people who have teachable spirits too. One of my daughters went through a phase where she did not have a teachable spirit (years ago) and it was such a chore to try to teach her. I have to remember that about myself and God, too; he wants me to have a teachable spirit. Humility is one of the most important traits we can cultivate! Thanks for this!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/26/2020 03:45:31 pm

I agree, Lisa. Humility is such an important trait to cultivate. It's so difficult when children go through that phase where they choose not to be teachable. Seems like most of ours have been there at one time or the other—mostly those pre-teen years. Fortunately, we are well beyond that now!

Reply
Michele Morin link
5/26/2020 07:27:08 pm

I'm working on this, particularly in listening to others before I rush to speak my own thoughts. I do have so much to learn.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/27/2020 07:49:29 am

You and me both, Michele! :)

Reply
Susan Shipe link
5/27/2020 06:37:56 am

I believe a teachable spirit is the greatest requirement to "get anywhere."

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/28/2020 07:06:57 pm

It will take you far, Susan!

Reply
Jerralea link
5/27/2020 12:31:44 pm

One of things we say a lot at my house, "Well, I learned something new today!" I want to be ever learning, and I definitely want to have a teachable spirit.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/28/2020 07:11:53 pm

That just made me think, Jerralea... "What new thing did you learn today?" may be my new favorite dinner question!!!

Reply
Angela Johnson link
5/27/2020 12:41:48 pm

I had never really thought about this before. You definitely opened my eyes to a few things and gave me an interest in learning more. I love the statement that everyone has something to teach you. I will have to remember that.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/28/2020 07:18:24 pm

"Everyone has something to teach you." I like that too, Angela. I've been training people in different fields for the past 15 years and it never ceases to amaze me when someone I am training puts a new spin on something and actually teaches me a better way to do something—it happens quite often with these new, sharp young people I get to work with. Wowzers! Now I'm feeling so old! LOL

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
5/27/2020 03:24:01 pm

I think this is a question we need to repeatedly check in on ourselves with.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/28/2020 07:19:07 pm

For sure, Lauren!

Reply
Karen Del Tatto link
5/28/2020 08:07:40 pm

Excellent post! I never thought about that before, but it is so true, every person we interact with can teach us something. In leading ladies Bible study, I have always told the women that I may be facilitating, but I learn just as much from them!

It can be very frustrating to work with someone who is unteachable whether it be a spouse, child or co-worker. In those cases, it seems that even the kindest of instruction or redirection is taken as an affront and indeed that is pride.

May we all have teachable spirits.

Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/29/2020 10:18:06 am

Every person and every situation, Karen. I've learned more from teaching Sunday school than any of my class members, I'm sure!

Reply
Elena link
5/28/2020 09:33:47 pm

What a great reminder to be teachable and humble. You're right, pride keeps us from being teachable. It is pretty grounding to realize that there will always be someone who knows something I don't know. There will always be someone who can do something better than me. That is OK! I can always grow and improve as long as I have a teachable spirit, and often the lessons come from the most unlikely sources!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
5/29/2020 10:26:39 am

There's always someone that knows more, Elena. But I've even learned valuable lessons from someone that seems to know less. You just never know what person or situation will present you with a learning opportunity.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Patsy
    Hi friend, welcome to InstaEncouragements. I am so glad you are here. You’re among friends. You belong here. 

    How would you like access to our online library of helpful eBooks, devotionals, printables, and more? You’re going to love this library, which has all kinds of exclusive content just for you!

    Join the movement by signing up below and I'll send you the link today. And no worries, We don’t spam. Promise! We don’t like spam either.

    After you've joined the movement, hop on over to our about page to learn more about us and then to our contact form and introduce yourself so we can be on a first-name basis. I'd like that! —Patsy

    Join the movement!

    * indicates required
    Come & Dwell
    16 Names of God
    Sweeter Than Honey
    The Heart That Heals cover

    Top Posts

    16 Names of God & What They Mean
    8 Ways God Spoke to People in the Past and How He Speaks to Us Today
    12 Things the Bible Says God Knows About Us
    3 Practical Points
    ​About Prayer
    A Lesson From King Jehoshaphat
    From a Proverbs 31 Woman to a Titus 2 Woman
    16 Names of God:
    ​El Olam
    David's Second Goliath
    Honoring God by Maintaining Our
    ​Physical Health
    12 Favorite
    ​Bible Study Tools
    Artza blog banner

    Featured

    Welcome Heart
    LaurenSparks.net
    beLydia.org
    Brave Women Series
    Grace & Truth
    WORTHY Bible Studies
    Money Wise Steward
    Woman of Noble Character
    The Best Bible Study Books For Women

    Categories

    All
    16 Names Of God
    7 Biblical Feasts
    7 Things God Is Not
    ABCs Of The Bible
    Amanda
    Bible Emergency Numbers
    Bible Study
    Books We Love
    Cami
    Cancer
    Christine
    Come And Gather
    Debbie
    Elisabeth
    Evidences Of Faith
    Family Life
    Guest Post
    Hey Mama! PRAY
    Journey To The Cross
    Julie
    Kathy
    Link Ups
    Our Words Matter
    Prayer
    Printables
    Stephanie
    Summer Book Club
    Sweeter Than Honey

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018

InstaEncouragements participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a
​means for this site to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 
This site also contains affiliate links for The Daily Grace Company, Not Consumed, and Artza.
InstaEncouragements will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links or a link from one of our posts.
​​Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Terms & Conditions
InstaEncouragements logo
© InstaEncouragements |2025|  all rights reserved
IE blog footer image
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Library >
      • Bible Emergency Numbers
      • LOVE Coupons
      • Christmas Songbook
      • Character Trait Worksheet
      • The Red Sea Rules
      • The Heart That Heals Printable Package
      • 12 Letters I Wrote
      • 16 Names of God
      • Praying Proverbs
      • Come and Gather
      • Bible Reading Plan
      • Disciple Me Program
    • Christianity
    • Bible Study >
      • 14 Things God’s Love Letter Says About You
      • A Journey of Worship
      • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
      • She Loves Truth
      • Hey Mama! PRAY
      • 52 Days in Psalms
      • 10 Weeks in the New Testament
      • 2 Months in The Pentateuch
      • 12 Minor Prophets
      • 3 Biblical Statements
      • 7 Books of Faith
      • 4 Major Prophets
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • Praying Proverbs
    • Jordan River Rules
    • Choosing Gratitude
    • Aging With Grace
    • Seeking Him
    • She Loves Truth
    • Red Sea Rules
  • Come & Dwell
  • The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God
    • 16 Names of God Media Package