Staying Teachable

But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Matthew 23:8

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. James 3:1

As the new school year is right around the corner, I decided to share some thoughts about the importance of staying teachable, even as a teacher. For some reason I thought first of James 3:1. I went there intending to copy, paste, and move on.

But James 3:1 has a context. And sometimes as I write, the scripture takes me in a direction I didn’t intend. The next verse says, “for we all stumble in many things.” What follows seems to be addressed to everyone, not just teachers.

And what follows is a lengthy warning about “an unruly evil, full of deadly poison,” that is, of course, the tongue (v.8).

So how do verses 1 and 2 connect to this context? Did James get sidetracked with a rant?

Think about it. Who speaks most in any given class? The teacher. We all need warning about sins of the tongue, but it seems teachers need special reminding that they have no moral superiority, only “stricter judgment,” (v.1).

Why should we be cautious before presuming to teach? Because when we human beings open our mouths we will eventually, inevitably, say the wrong thing. And even when we teach good things, eventually, inevitably, we will contradict our own teaching when, perhaps in some other context, we speak in a way that is evil. With the tongue “we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God,” (James 3:9 ESV).

At least in writing I have the opportunity to edit to my heart’s content. When I speak aloud, I’m even more likely to say things that are foolish, discouraging, or just plain wrong. But whether speaking or writing, all teachers will eventually violate their own teaching, making hypocrites of themselves. James 3 says it happens through words. (James 2 and Romans 2 discuss how it happens through actions.)

So can no one teach? There are several commands that require us to teach in some way (e.g. Colossians 3:16; I Timothy 3:2; Titus 2:3); those commands must be obeyed. What’s important is that we do all things “in the meekness of wisdom,”(James 3:13), keeping in mind that ultimately we are all students of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I may teach you; sometimes you may teach me. Sometimes it may be in word; sometimes by example; sometimes publicly, sometimes privately. But according to Matthew 23:8, Jesus is the teacher and we are all brethren.

So, now to my original point. All of us, perhaps teachers especially, need to remain teachable. Even if I am a teacher, more than that I am a student, a disciple of Jesus. I must always be learning from him, as well from others.

If teaching causes me to forget that, I am in very great danger.

But in Acts 18:24-28 we find a beautiful illustration of how this should work. Apollos is described as an “eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures.” He was teaching “accurately” and speaking “boldly,” but he only knew about the baptism of John. Now, if you or I were in his position, and church members took us aside and “explained the way of God more accurately” to us (v.26), how would we respond? It might be easy to take offense, or to be too embarrassed to continue preaching, or to be too prideful to adapt our message. But the Bible doesn’t even tell us how Apollos responded. There was no drama. He continued preaching effectively. Obviously, he was humble enough to learn from Aquila and Priscilla, which made him a better teacher to others.

A wise person will hear and increase in learning, And a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel.
Proverbs 1:5 (NASB)

Words are powerful. That’s why we need to be so careful about them. And if even Apollos had things to learn, then surely I do too. If I get cocky, or take too many shortcuts (copy, paste, and move on), I miss opportunities to grow. I pray then that in writing and teaching I will always be eager to learn from others and from the most powerful word, the “living and powerful” word of God (Hebrews 4:12).

Dear God, I thank you for opportunities to study Your word with others, whether as a student or a teacher. Help me to stay humble and teachable in all circumstances. Forgive me for times I have said the wrong thing or failed to live up to my own words. I pray that when I teach, Your Holy Spirit would “set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips,” that I might not sin with my tongue. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins

P.S. Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of Walk Worthy! To everyone who has encouraged me in my little blog effort these past twelve months, “thank you” seems insufficient, but I do thank you! Your support means the world to me. ❤️ And to celebrate this milestone, you can now find my articles at http://www.walkworthy.blog ☺️