What does the Bible say about having a teachable spirit?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that a teachable spirit is marked by humility before God, a willingness to receive correction, and a growing love for His truth. Believers are called to clothe themselves with humility (1 Peter 5:5), recognizing that wisdom comes through hearing and obeying God's Word. Proverbs 9:9 and 12:1 commend those who welcome instruction, while Proverbs 13:18 warns that refusing reproof leads to poverty and shame. Scripture itself equips God's people for faithful living (2 Timothy 3:16), and the Spirit enables them to receive its wisdom rather than dismiss it as foolishness (1 Corinthians 2:13-14). Even the Lord's discipline is loving fatherly training, producing mature holiness (Hebrews 12:6).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
- Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.
- Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, But he who heeds correction shall be honored.
- Proverbs 9:9
Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
- 1 Corinthians 2:13-14
[13] Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. [14] Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- 2 Timothy 3:16
Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness,
- Proverbs 4:5
Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
- 2 Timothy 2:2
The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
- Hebrews 12:6
For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, And scourges every son whom he receives."
- James 1:1-27
[1] James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings. [2] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [4] Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [5] But 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. [6] But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. [7] For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. [8] He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. [9] But let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position; [10] and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away. [11] For the sun arises with the scorching wind, and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits. [12] Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him. [13] Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. [14] But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. [16] Don't be deceived, my beloved brothers. [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. [18] Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. [19] So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God. [21] Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a mirror; [24] for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does. [26] If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless. [27] Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
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