Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.-Psalm 119:69, NIV
“Remember, you need to stay teachable,” says arrogant authority figure.
The irony of people using this charge is that they are often the least teachable persons in the room! They approach you as if they could learn nothing of value from you. You are there to learn from them.
In my experience, religious authorities employ the “unteachable” label as a weapon to dismiss people who resist their control.
This is spiritual abuse, by the way.
It is sounds so high-minded to remain teachable. However, the question such a charge begs is:
Teachable by whom?
Are we to remain teachable to the demonic and those under such influence? Of course, not. It matters who is teaching (and what they are teaching).
Trust is earned, not given. An authority who has broken such trust is not entitled to it.
Teaching requires some level of trust. So, the authority using this charge is actually trying to steal trust that he or she has not earned or has violated.
Plus, I would point out the inherent arrogance of such a charge. The person speaking is placing themselves above whoever is receiving their charge. This is not modeling godly Christian behavior (see Philippians 2).
In my experience, the “unteachable” label and its similar charge to “remain teachable” have always been employed in a power struggle.
So, my radar goes up when I hear that language as it is a tell to me that someone is operating in a carnal or–potentially demonic–way in an effort to dominate as oppose to lift up.
*A version ran previously.
