Jesus Christ was called throughout the gospels a "teacher." Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, the famous professor of Dallas Theological Seminary, stated: "Within the gospels one of the most frequently used designations is Teacher; it occurs forty-five times. Fourteen times he is referred to as Rabbi. So it is obvious that one of the prominent functions of our Lord during His public ministry was teaching."
But what is the the most fundamental quality that is necessary before a person can learn? One must demonstrate the character quality of humility. The opposite of humility is pride.
Here are a few quotes by some excellent leaders of our Christian heritage that convey the idea of humility.
Clement of Rome (Apostle Paul's disciple who took over the Church of Rome after he departed; lived from AD 30 to AD 100; probably traveled with Peter and Paul, see Phil. 4:3) said of humility: "For Christ is of those who are humble-minded, and not those who exalt themselves over His flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance, although He might have done so, but in a lowly condition, as the Holy Spirit had declared regarding him."
Again, Clement said: "Abraham was specially honored, and was called the friend of God; yet he, earnestly, regarding the glory of God, humbly declared, 'I am but dust and ashes.'"
Ignatius (who lived from AD 30 to 100 AD and was a contemporary and student of the apostles) had this to say of humility when responding to those who persecute you: "Be ye humble in response to their wrath . . . . conquer ye their harsh temper by gentleness, their passion by meekness. For blessed are the meek and Moses was meek above all men. Wherefore Paul exhorts as follows: 'The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that are in opposition.'"
Dr. John Calvin (Protestant Reformer; 1509-1564) had this to say of humility: "Where God's Spirit does not reign, there is no humility, and men ever swell with inward pride." Additionally he said: "Humility is the beginning of true intelligence." Also, "Nothing is more contrary to faith than pride, as also humility is the principle of faith."
Dr. Billy Graham has also chimed in on the danger of pride. He has well said: "Spiritual pride, because it trusts in one's own virtue rather than the grace of God, is earmarked for God's judgment. It induces in us contempt for others, and makes us contemptible to those about us . . . .There some some people who think they have a corner on the Gospel. They have become conceited, smug, proud and pharisaical. There are others that glory in their self-righteousness, and think that they are better than other people. They don't do this, and they don't do that. They keep the letter of the law, but have long since forgotten the spirit of the law. They are guilty of spiritual pride . . . . They have a haughty, superior, chip on their shoulder attitude. They spend their time criticizing and gossiping about others. This is the worst pride of all."
I once heard a bible teacher say that as soon as you think you have overcome pride that is when you have just stepped into pride very deeply. I think he had a good point.
How can we get people to learn? How can we persuade people? How can we advance the cause of the gospel? We can only do this faithfully when we display true, authentic humility ourselves. Only when we are "open to reason" (James 3:17), "slow to speak and quick to hear" (James 1:19) as we use a speech that is "gracious, seasoned with salt" in order that we may "know how" to "answer each person" (Col. 4:6).
However, when pride grabs us, we will do the opposite. We will be quick to make our point, a sign of "selfish ambition" (James 3:14) and lack of patience. Instead of allowing others to reason with us as we strive to understand one another we become "rivals" of one another with hearts full of "conceit" (Phil. 2:3).
The only cure to this damning danger is to fulfill the law of love towards one another. He who walks in humility will "look out not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4).
Do you have a truth or a view that you believe others need to hear and learn? Then take the time to learn something from the one whom you desire to teach. Humble yourself unto them as Christ humbled himself and came to earth as a child to learn and grow from both God the father as well as humanity (Luke 2:52). Ask questions to prompt a reasoning session instead of a rivalry session. Learn to reason with them on their level. When wronged or spoken to rudely apply Proverbs 15:1 and return a "soft answer" in order to "turn away wrath."
Ask yourself these questions to check in on the pride thermometer:
1. Do I already have a come back argument in my mind planned before hearing what the other person has fully said?
2. Do I see people that I believe are in error and then feel an emotion or have a thought in me that I am smarter than they are?
3. Do I make quick judgments about why a person is having problems in their life before I take the time to listen and learn how that person arrived in their particular circumstance?
4. Do I enjoy being able to show someone where I believe they are wrong?
5. Do I try and first find common ground with a person or do I focus more on where I differ and disagree with another person?
6. Do I seriously examine a critique someone has of me or my views or do I quickly dimiss their comments and points?
7. Do I hold all of my positions and views so strongly that I will not re-examine them when challenged?
One who walks in the spirit and attitude of love will do the following in the seven areas noted above: (1) He will fully and carefully listen to a person's view and try and see if there is anything correct or anything to be learned from that view; (2) he will not feel smarter but will feel humbled that he has something to offer someone who has a need; (3) he will listen and try and learn why someone has arrived at whatever place they are at in their life before making a judgment call against the person; (4) he will not rejoice when another person is wrong but will feel compassion and mercy for them like Christ felt when he saw the people/sheep without a shepherd; (5) he will make every effort to focus on where there can be agreement first so that there is a loving bond that can then provide freedom to discuss differences which he will probe by asking questions of the other person's view; (6) he will listen to criticisms and seriously consider them, and (7) he holds no position or view so tightly that he will not review and reconsider when presented with some evidence from the bible that has not previously been considered or known.
The way to a person's head is often through their heart. Thus, if we hope to teach we must first be taught as we display and demonstrate humility in our daily lives. As people see humility in us they too may learn to listen as we listen. Or, on the other hand, as people see pride in us they will refuse to listen as we display the same spirit and attitude before them. As Paul said, "for whatever one sows that will he also reap" (Gal. 6:7).
But what is the the most fundamental quality that is necessary before a person can learn? One must demonstrate the character quality of humility. The opposite of humility is pride.
Here are a few quotes by some excellent leaders of our Christian heritage that convey the idea of humility.
Clement of Rome (Apostle Paul's disciple who took over the Church of Rome after he departed; lived from AD 30 to AD 100; probably traveled with Peter and Paul, see Phil. 4:3) said of humility: "For Christ is of those who are humble-minded, and not those who exalt themselves over His flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance, although He might have done so, but in a lowly condition, as the Holy Spirit had declared regarding him."
Again, Clement said: "Abraham was specially honored, and was called the friend of God; yet he, earnestly, regarding the glory of God, humbly declared, 'I am but dust and ashes.'"
Ignatius (who lived from AD 30 to 100 AD and was a contemporary and student of the apostles) had this to say of humility when responding to those who persecute you: "Be ye humble in response to their wrath . . . . conquer ye their harsh temper by gentleness, their passion by meekness. For blessed are the meek and Moses was meek above all men. Wherefore Paul exhorts as follows: 'The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that are in opposition.'"
Dr. John Calvin (Protestant Reformer; 1509-1564) had this to say of humility: "Where God's Spirit does not reign, there is no humility, and men ever swell with inward pride." Additionally he said: "Humility is the beginning of true intelligence." Also, "Nothing is more contrary to faith than pride, as also humility is the principle of faith."
Dr. Billy Graham has also chimed in on the danger of pride. He has well said: "Spiritual pride, because it trusts in one's own virtue rather than the grace of God, is earmarked for God's judgment. It induces in us contempt for others, and makes us contemptible to those about us . . . .There some some people who think they have a corner on the Gospel. They have become conceited, smug, proud and pharisaical. There are others that glory in their self-righteousness, and think that they are better than other people. They don't do this, and they don't do that. They keep the letter of the law, but have long since forgotten the spirit of the law. They are guilty of spiritual pride . . . . They have a haughty, superior, chip on their shoulder attitude. They spend their time criticizing and gossiping about others. This is the worst pride of all."
I once heard a bible teacher say that as soon as you think you have overcome pride that is when you have just stepped into pride very deeply. I think he had a good point.
How can we get people to learn? How can we persuade people? How can we advance the cause of the gospel? We can only do this faithfully when we display true, authentic humility ourselves. Only when we are "open to reason" (James 3:17), "slow to speak and quick to hear" (James 1:19) as we use a speech that is "gracious, seasoned with salt" in order that we may "know how" to "answer each person" (Col. 4:6).
However, when pride grabs us, we will do the opposite. We will be quick to make our point, a sign of "selfish ambition" (James 3:14) and lack of patience. Instead of allowing others to reason with us as we strive to understand one another we become "rivals" of one another with hearts full of "conceit" (Phil. 2:3).
The only cure to this damning danger is to fulfill the law of love towards one another. He who walks in humility will "look out not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4).
Do you have a truth or a view that you believe others need to hear and learn? Then take the time to learn something from the one whom you desire to teach. Humble yourself unto them as Christ humbled himself and came to earth as a child to learn and grow from both God the father as well as humanity (Luke 2:52). Ask questions to prompt a reasoning session instead of a rivalry session. Learn to reason with them on their level. When wronged or spoken to rudely apply Proverbs 15:1 and return a "soft answer" in order to "turn away wrath."
Ask yourself these questions to check in on the pride thermometer:
1. Do I already have a come back argument in my mind planned before hearing what the other person has fully said?
2. Do I see people that I believe are in error and then feel an emotion or have a thought in me that I am smarter than they are?
3. Do I make quick judgments about why a person is having problems in their life before I take the time to listen and learn how that person arrived in their particular circumstance?
4. Do I enjoy being able to show someone where I believe they are wrong?
5. Do I try and first find common ground with a person or do I focus more on where I differ and disagree with another person?
6. Do I seriously examine a critique someone has of me or my views or do I quickly dimiss their comments and points?
7. Do I hold all of my positions and views so strongly that I will not re-examine them when challenged?
One who walks in the spirit and attitude of love will do the following in the seven areas noted above: (1) He will fully and carefully listen to a person's view and try and see if there is anything correct or anything to be learned from that view; (2) he will not feel smarter but will feel humbled that he has something to offer someone who has a need; (3) he will listen and try and learn why someone has arrived at whatever place they are at in their life before making a judgment call against the person; (4) he will not rejoice when another person is wrong but will feel compassion and mercy for them like Christ felt when he saw the people/sheep without a shepherd; (5) he will make every effort to focus on where there can be agreement first so that there is a loving bond that can then provide freedom to discuss differences which he will probe by asking questions of the other person's view; (6) he will listen to criticisms and seriously consider them, and (7) he holds no position or view so tightly that he will not review and reconsider when presented with some evidence from the bible that has not previously been considered or known.
The way to a person's head is often through their heart. Thus, if we hope to teach we must first be taught as we display and demonstrate humility in our daily lives. As people see humility in us they too may learn to listen as we listen. Or, on the other hand, as people see pride in us they will refuse to listen as we display the same spirit and attitude before them. As Paul said, "for whatever one sows that will he also reap" (Gal. 6:7).
Pastor taught me a long time ago that not everyone has a teachable spirit. We MUST have a teachable spirit if we truly desire to grow up in Him. Thanks for posting this. I look forward to following this thread.
Thanks for sharing these very important truths! As it is a challenge for all of us to aim for these Godly character traits & habits in our daily walk of faith!