When You Don’t Understand: Why Submission and Teachability Matter

As we continue our Preparing for Greater Works series, we have talked about seeking the Lord early and seeking Him continually. But seeking the Lord requires something else of us: submission and teachability.

Submission requires us to be willing to follow Him—even when we don’t completely understand where He is leading. Sometimes, following Him also requires us to listen to and learn from the people He has placed ahead of us.

Because here’s the truth: You don’t know what you don’t know.

To be honest, I'm with you: neither do I.

There are things God sees that we cannot see. There are circumstances He understands that we do not yet understand. And there are times when the wisest thing we can do is submit to His leadership and remain teachable enough to receive wisdom from others.

Submission and Teachability Matter: Submission Doesn’t Require Complete Understanding

One of the most powerful examples of submission and teachability without complete understanding is Abraham.

In Genesis 22, God asked Abraham to do something that must have been incredibly difficult to comprehend. Abraham had waited years for the son God promised him. And yet, when God spoke, Abraham rose early and set out in obedience.

Abraham did not know how the story would end.

But he knew God.

There is a difference between understanding everything God is doing and trusting the One who is doing it.

Sometimes we want complete explanations before we obey. We want details. We want reassurance. We want to know the outcome before we take the first step.

But obedience doesn’t always come with a complete explanation. There will be times when God asks us to trust Him before we understand Him.

And there will be times when submitting to godly authority requires the same humility.

Submission and Teachability Matter: When We Exchange God’s Wisdom for Our Own

In 1 Samuel 15, Saul was given specific instructions concerning the Amalekites: destroy them all. Unfortunately, Saul decided that his own reasoning was better. He partially obeyed. He preserved what he thought was valuable.

When Samuel confronted him, Saul had explanations and excuses.... but partial obedience is still disobedience.

Saul exchanged God’s wisdom for his own wisdom. That decision had consequences he could not fully see at the time.

There is a lesson there for all of us.

Sometimes our refusal to follow instruction is rooted in pride. But sometimes it is also rooted in our limited understanding. We simply don’t know what we don’t know.

Saul did not know the future consequences connected to the Amalekites. But God did.

Neither you nor I can see every consequence attached to our decisions. This is why obedience and humility matter.

Submission and Teachability Matter: “It’s Not Really That Dramatic”—Or Is It?

Sometimes we minimize the importance of obedience. We think, Well, this isn’t really a life-or-death decision. Everything isn’t that dramatic.

But perhaps we don’t know.

Proverbs 24:11 says: “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those who totter to the slaughter.”

The truth is, we don’t always know what is at stake. You don’t know who you are supposed to minister to today. You don’t know who may walk through your door. You don’t know what crisis may be waiting at the other end of the phone. You don’t know what conversation will require wisdom beyond your own experience. You don’t know whether you will need to bring the wisdom of God—or simply the fragrance of His presence—into someone’s life today.

But God knows.

That is why a life of continual dependence upon Him matters so much. We need to be prepared before we encounter the need.

Submission and Teachability Matter: What Fragrance Are You Carrying?

Second Corinthians 2:15–16 says: “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

I love that picture: the fragrance of Christ. Paul says that through us, God diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Do you know who can smell the fragrance of His knowledge on you? Everyone.

Everyone may not be able to identify it. They may not have the words to explain what they sense. But they recognize something different.

The peace you carry. The wisdom you offer. The grace in your response. The hope in your words.

The presence of Christ changes the atmosphere around us.

And just for free—you know who can smell the fragrance of something else on you? Everyone.

Our attitudes have a fragrance. Our bitterness has a fragrance. Our pride has a fragrance. Our anxiety can have a fragrance.

What we carry within us eventually finds its way into the spaces around us. So what are we carrying?

Submission and Teachability Matter: Assume You Know Less

No one knows everything, but we would all do well to assume that we know less than we think we do.

That doesn’t mean we diminish the gifts God has given us. It doesn’t mean we pretend we have no wisdom or experience. Humility isn’t denying what God has placed within you. Humility is recognizing that you still have something to learn.

When someone farther along in the journey offers you wise advice or godly counsel, you would do well to listen. You don’t have to blindly follow every opinion someone offers. But neither should you automatically reject correction or counsel simply because you don’t like what you’re hearing.

One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is remaining teachable.

Submission and Teachability Matter: Submission Is Part of Preparation

This series is called Preparing for Greater Works. Perhaps part of our preparation is learning to submit before we are given greater responsibility.

God often develops us through people. He places mentors, leaders, teachers, and mature believers in our lives who can see things we cannot yet see.

They may challenge us. They may correct us. They may ask us to reconsider something we were convinced was right.

If we refuse to submit to anyone, we may also refuse one of the primary ways God wants to prepare us.

Submission to godly authority doesn’t make you weak. Teachability doesn’t make you less gifted. In fact, they may be evidence that you are strong enough and secure enough to continue growing.

Submission and Teachability Matter: The Posture of a Teachable Heart

Perhaps the question isn’t simply whether we agree with every piece of advice we receive. Perhaps the question is whether we have created a posture of humility that allows us to learn.

Can someone correct you?

Can someone challenge your thinking?

Can someone tell you that you may be wrong?

Can someone see something in your life that you cannot see yourself?

And if they do, can you listen without immediately becoming defensive?

Those are difficult questions - but they are important ones.

Because the greater the responsibility, the greater the need for wisdom. Wisdom often begins with recognizing the limits of our own understanding.

Submission and Teachability Matter: Reflection

Take a moment and ask yourself:

Where might I be demanding complete understanding before I am willing to obey?

Have I confused independence with maturity?

Am I willing to receive wisdom, correction, and counsel from godly people who may see what I cannot see?

What fragrance am I carrying into the lives and spaces around me?

You don’t have to know everything. But you do need to know the One who does.

Seek Him. Follow Him. Remain humble enough to learn from the people He places in your life.

Because when you don’t understand everything, humility and teachability will help keep you moving in the right direction.

Submission and Teachability Matter: Let’s Continue the Conversation

This is Part Three of our Preparing for Greater Works series. So far, we’ve talked about seeking the Lord early and seeking Him continually. Now, we’re learning that preparation also requires humility, submission, and a willingness to remain teachable. Submission and teachability matter.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and join me on Thursday as we take this conversation a little deeper.

If you’re looking for additional resources to help you grow in ministry and in your life with Christ, I would love to invite you to explore the resources available through Connect Mentoring Network. Whether you are navigating ministry, developing as a leader, or simply desiring to grow deeper in your relationship with Christ, you’ll find resources designed to encourage and strengthen you along the way.

Join me on the podcast—and next week, right here on the blog as we continue this series. I'll connect with you again soon!