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The Scribal Anointing
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Theresa H. Johnson
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Theresa H. Johnson
Spiritually Critiquing
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Theresa H. Johnson
Going from Unteachable to Teachable: Part 1 of 4
©
Copyright 2008 Theresa Harvard Johnson
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ABOUT THIS SERIES: There are so many pot holes in our path as we
pursue the ministry the Lord has placed in our hearts. If we are not
aware of those pitfalls, then we are destined to fall into them, get
stuck, and delay our assignment. One of the greatest strongholds
affecting prophetic writers is the inability to be taught. So many
believe that it is enough for them to have a revelation from God, and
that there is absolutely no room for improvement concerning what he has
given them. Sadly, many can not tell the difference between God's voice
or their own. When the Lord sends men and women into their lives to
lovingly director, mentor or teach them -- they fight the very
instruction that will take them to the next level of ministry. This
stronghold is called being "unteachable" and is one of the toughest
impasses I've ever faced (outside of pride) in the ministry of the
worship arts.
Proverbs 8:32-36
Now therefore listen to me, O you sons; for blessed (happy,
fortunate, to be envied) are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction
and be wise, and do not refuse or neglect it. Blessed (happy, fortunate,
to be envied) is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates,
waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me [Wisdom] finds
life and draws forth and obtains favor from the Lord. But he who misses
me or sins against me wrongs and injures himself; all who hate me love
and court death.
Are you teachable? Having an unteachable spirit is a PITFALL for
prophetic scribes. In this series, we will examine what it means to be
unteachable... and bring into perspective by looking at the scribes
Jesus rebuked in the New Testament.
Nearly every person who will answer this question will say, "Surely, I
am teachable." Well I tell you, I thought I was teachable to until it
was brought to my attention by some who are very close to me sometime
ago that I often acted like a "know it all." Do you remember the
"know-it-alls" from grade school? I do! There was always someone in the
class who was raising their hands with the right answer.
While this isn't always a bad thing, it can lead to a state of mind in
which no one-- and absolutely no one -- can tell you anything because
you already know the answer.
My spiritual father, Apostle John A. Davis Sr., said this to me one day:
"Theresa, there are many things that you have shared with me that I
already know. But because I love you and respect who you are in God I
listen. While I might have the experience and the wisdom, I always find
that there are things you say that I may not have considered -- though
I've preached on this subject for more than 20 years. You know why I
listen?"
I said, "Why?"
He answered: "No matter how much I've done, experienced or heard ... I
recognize that this new generation is getting some fresh revelation. I
love learning. So although I may know a thing or two, I take the time an
allow you to teach me from your perspective. Then, when I go preach ...
I can share what I've learned from you with what the Lord has revealed
to me... and present a relevant, fresh word to His people by the leading
of his spirit. One thing I've learned in this life is that I must never
stop learning."
I was humbled by this. When I was new to the word I was VERY teachable,
but as I matured and developed some understanding, I somehow became "my
own" teacher -- which can be a very dangerous place to be if not placed
in proper perspective. The greatest weapon we have in the body of Christ
is the KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ. Proverbs 8:32-36 clearly states this.
You see, wisdom is gained through LEARNING. You can only learn if you
are TEACHABLE.
What do we mean by being teachable within Voices of Christ?
It simply means to be childlike in your learning or ready and willing to
be taught. In today's time, most people want to TEACH. This attitude is
very dangerous to any minister -- but has specific negative consequences
to a scribe. This was the GREATEST problem the Pharisees had.
An unteachable person is one who believes they "have arrived" in their
learning, and that there is nothing you or I can tell them to enhance
their knowledge. They believe that you should be learning from them now.
The thing is, THIS ATTITUDE IS SUBTLE! Now this is not a spirit. It is a
MINDSET. It is a way of thinking! It is an attitude! You can't get
delivered from this ... you must actually change this behavior.
In Proverbs 8:32-36, one of the key word in that scripture is that we
are being addressed as "CHILDREN." The second most important word is
"WISDOM."
Characteristics of an UNTEACHABLE PEOPLE:
1. Argumentative. Have you ever tried to tell someone whom you
were mentoring or leading something - whether it is a word of
instruction or you are correcting them - and they become defensive,
combative and argumentative. You can't talk to them because they are
trying to get "their" point across and have you see "their" perspective.
Please know that when people do this to those whom they "sit under" --
that they actually think they are on the same level spiritually that you
are, and that they are of equal stature to you in leadership. The sad
part about this is that most times -- they cannot see it. They are
blinded by their own righteousness and intellect. What you are battling
in many cases is "intellect" -- not religion or tradition. This is the
MOST COMMON & OBVIOUS sign of the operation of being unteachable.
(Proverbs 9:8 shares some wisdom on this!)
2. Irritable. Have you ever seen people who just get "irritable"
when they hear your voice or when you begin trying to explain something?
You are the leader or the person in charge, and there's someone in your
midst who believes they have more insight on the subject than you. While
they could be right, the humility on the inside of them should cause
them to submit -- not fight. Hidden beneath this irritability is a
subtle rebellion, pride, familiarity, and a host of other strongholds
that "are" spiritual in nature. When they are in control, however, they
seem to be at peace.
3. Self Willed. Have you ever tried to share with someone how
they should handle a situation or proceed with a certain thing in
ministry? After all, they came to you for advice and guidance. When you
tell them, they puff up... and decide that this is "not God" and they
shut down and fail to share anything else with you. In addition, they
stick to their old patterns an practices of doing things --- even if
they do not work or have the same results. You can place the "vision God
gave them" right in their hands ... but for some reason, they want to do
it "their way." This is self will. They are incapable of being
followers. As a result, they are unteachable.
4. Religious Formality. Have you met people who are unwilling to
release traditions? For example, they say things like: This is how I've
always done it! No, it must be done like this or like that! For some
reason, it is very difficult for people stuck in religion to seek God
for a fresh perspective. If the pastor wears jeans to Sunday service or
if a person begins speaking in tongues during worship they leave the
church -- not out of fear or something, but because it just does not
line up with the traditions they have grown up with. Religious cares
nothing about liberty in the spirit, and it has everything to do with
tradition.
5. Justification. Have you ever met people who "justify"
everything .... even when they are in error! They always find a way to
turn that situation back on you --- even if you are the leader. They
remind you of what "other people are doing" and "what you haven't done."
They will go to the EXTREME to prove themselves "JUSTIFIED" in their
thoughts, actions and behavior. They will also work hard to convince you
that they are doing what "THEY THINK" is best. This is another really
subtle "characteristic" ... and you REALLY have to have the spirit of
discernment to identify this attitude in a person.
6. Isolation. I must tell you, this IS a characteristic of being
unteachable. There are people who think they are in a place that is "so
separated unto the Lord" that they don't even need the advice, guidance,
leadership or advice of those who have been sent by God to "LEAD" them.
They separate themselves even more from people whom they "feel" are not
"qualified" to tell them anything ... even if the person has been
appointed to do so by leadership. In this instance, this kind of
"isolation" is not a spirit -- it is a very bad attitude that needs to
be adjusted.
7. Offended. This is another BIG one. Many people who are
unteachable walk in a strong spirit of offense. In other words, their
"pride" has been injured or a perceived "wrong" has been done to them.
As a result, they "shut down" and may, at some point, move into a place
of isolation or even disconnect from the people or ministry they are
associated with altogether. Many of these offenses are "hidden" ... and
can reek havoc on a ministry or an individual when revealed. Often
times, more comes behind their words than they actually convey. It takes
DISCERNMENT to recognize this subtle characteristic.
It is important for us to recognize these characteristics - if any --
exist in ourselves. I've noticed that folk love to point out the flaws
of other people, but cannot seem to apply these to their own heart. I
know these characteristics because I HAVE BEEN UNTEACHABLE in my life.
I'm not ashamed to say this. But I am a better person because I learned
to SUBMIT TO THE LORD ... and repent to those whom I've failed to honor
who have been set in authority over me on some level.
As scribes, we must understand that one of the most important aspects of
our call is to be able to teach others. But to "teach" ... you must
first be "taught." Yes, we learn from the Holy Spirit, but we also learn
from those the Lord place around us. So if that means we must be
CRITIQUED... in our ministry, our lives, etc. -- so be it.
The question is .. .can you take it! Can you be taught?