A Teachable Spirit

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. —Proverbs 19:20

There are some people that are unteachable. They are highminded thinking they know all they need to know (“Been there—Done that.”). They’re blinded by their own brilliance so they can’t see they still have a lot to learn.

Apollos was a man who was greatly gifted (Acts 18:24-26): It seemed he had it all— Eloquence… Mighty in Scriptures… Fervent in spirit… Diligent in teaching… Bold. However, he was still lacking in what he needed to know. His “education” stopped at the ministry of John the Baptist. Much had happened since the days John was baptizing in the Jordan River. John’s ministry was now over. Jesus had been crucified, buried and risen. God has set aside the kingdom message preached by John, Jesus and the Twelve. The “olive branches” were being broken off and the wild branches of the Gentiles were being grafted into the plan of God. God has raised up Paul as the Apostle to the Gentiles and given a new dispensation.

Apollos needed to be “brought up to speed.” Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside privately and “expounded unto him the way of God MORE PERFECTLY.” Apollos didn’t have the attitude, “Who do you think you are to try to teach me anything. Can’t you see what a great speaker and teacher I am. I’ve graduated from the seminary at Alexandria with a Ph.D.”

Apollos was teachable. Therefore, he learned and “mightily convinced the Jews… shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ” (Acts 18:28).

Do you have a teachable spirit? Always be open to the new things God wants you to learn.

Bottom Line: Attend a Sunday School Class every Sunday and learn something you didn’t know before. Remember, you never know so much you can’t be taught something new.