Proverbs 12:1 (NKJV)
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

General Truths About the Importance of Having a Teachable Spirit

• We are born into this world and born again in complete ignorance. A teachable spirit is our only hope in gaining the knowledge we need to succeed.
• We cannot be disciples of Jesus without a teachable spirit.
• The decision to be teachable is a choice all of us must make for ourselves.
• Every area of our lives that is successful can be traced to a willingness on our part to learn and accept instruction.

The greatest gift you can give to God, yourself, or others around you is a teachable spirit. It is the open door to God’s blessing in every area of our lives.

Five Characteristics of an Unteachable Spirit

1. Chronic Failure

Matthew 7:7–8 (NKJV)
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

James 1:5 (NKJV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

2. An Argumentative and Defensive Nature

Proverbs 9:8–9 (NKJV)
Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 9:13 (NKJV)
A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.

Proverbs 21:9 (NKJV)
Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Four Predictors of Divorce (John Gottman)
• Criticism
• Defensiveness
• Contempt
• Stonewalling

1 Timothy 3:3 (NKJV)
[Leaders in God’s church must be] not quarrelsome; not covetous

3. Isolation and Withdrawal in Times of Difficulty

Proverbs 18:1-2 (NKJV)
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.

4. Blame Transfer

5. Surrounding Yourself with People who Agree with You and Feeling Threatened by Those of Differing Opinions

Five Root Causes of an Unteachable Spirit

1. Pride

Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV)
All we like sheep have gone astray…

Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:6 (NKJV)
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

2. Rebellion and Independence

Romans 13:1(NKJV)
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV)
…submitting to one another in the fear of God.

3. Insecurity

4. Foolishness

Proverbs 22:15 (NKJV)
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 15:14 (NKJV)
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

5. Laziness

Proverbs 26:16 (NKJV)
The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Proverbs 13:4 (NKJV)
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

The Four Characteristics of a Teachable Spirit

1. Humility

2. Graciously Accepting Correction and Input

Proverbs 9:8 (NKJV)
Rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

3. Seeking Wise Counsel and Input in times of Decision, Difficulty, or Chronic Failure

Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV)
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 15:22 (NKJV)
Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

4. Submitting to Authority and Staying Accountable

Romans 13:1–7 (NKJV)
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. 

But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Ephesians 6:5–8 (NKJV)
Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.