Strengths of the Heart, Part 1: A Teachable Heart

A series that examines how God uses the strengths of the heart to build relationships

In scripture, the term “heart” is used to denote a person’s inner self. The heart is the center of spiritual activity, moral understanding, and human will.

God uses strengths of the human heart to build relationships – specifically a heart that is teachable (Part 1), a heart that seeks to understand (Part 2), and a heart that puts information into practice (Part 3).

A Teachable Heart Listens

A teachable heart is willing to learn. Proverbs 1:5 describes it best: “Let the wise listen … and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance” (NLT).

It is no coincidence that the first quality associated with a teachable heart is the ability to listen.

Yet the Hebrew term used here for “listen,” (“Let the wise listen”), denotes more than simple hearing. It indicates hearing with attention and intelligence.

This is a heart that listens actively rather than passively – even taking the initiative to learn more. It seeks to discover insights through listening rather than just in osmosis.

A Teachable Heart Receives

Proverbs 1:5 describes a teachable heart as one that not only listens to new information, but also receives it.

This is not an “in one ear and out the other” scenario. Nor does a teachable heart belong to a person so set in her ways that she is unwilling to take in anything new. Instead, a teachable heart rolls out the welcome mat to guidance. It is a heart that seeks insights not for novelty but in order to learn and grow.

When a person with a teachable heart hears that he might discover his strengths and the strengths of those around him, he embraces the opportunity. Upon reading the profile data, this person processes it eagerly (rather than rejecting it outright or examining it half-heartedly) to determine what is worth absorbing and adopting.

How a Teachable Heart Can Build Relationships

A teachable heart is open to discovering God’s design for differences and even takes the initiative to seek out what makes him and those around him unique.

It is a heart God can use to build relationships.

Is yours like it?