Have you ever been humbled by a life experience? In high school, I made a desk in woodworking class. It was full of mistakes and lacked good workmanship. I didn’t know as much as I thought I did, and it was humbling. Humility leads to being teachable.
The next semester I was much more open to learning new things. I realized I needed more training and experience to be a good woodworker. Often life experiences can humble us, and we realize we are not as smart or as good as we thought we were. When we fail, the Holy Spirit can show us the reason if we only listen.
Cain wasn’t Teachable
Cain was the first-born child of Adam and Eve, but he had one major flaw that would work to destroy him. That major flaw was not being teachable. If we cling to that same flaw it will work to destroy us because satan does not want you to be teachable!
Genesis 4:1Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel.
When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” 8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him. [1]
Learning to be Teachable from Scripture
Stories in the Bible can show us what to do and what not to do. In the story of Cain, the Lord shows us the folly of pride and being unteachable. Life for Cain could have been different, but he chose not to listen to the Lord and humble himself. He chose to harden his heart and thus, be unteachable. You see, humility leads to being teachable.
Jesus gives a lesson on being teachable. Mark 4:25“ For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”[2]
The Lord makes it very plain in this verse. If you are teachable there is an abundance of spiritual wisdom from the Lord and it will transform you. The Apostle Paul comments on the positive things that happen when we are teachable. Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. [3]
Being Teachable Opens a New World
Our mind is renewed when our heart is open to God’s word. It changes how we see ourselves, others and the Lord. We realize we need a Savior and want to ask Him into our heart and into our life. As our heart is transformed, we desire to seek out God’s plan for our life. We no longer are driven by our plan, but the Lord’s plan. Humility leads to being teachable, and when we are teachable, the Lord opens a whole new world for us.
Matthew 6:33“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” [4]
To hear more about Cain and Abel, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-abel
[1,3,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.