Is a Lack of Coachability Actually a Sign of ROTTEN Spiritual Fruit?
Is a Lack of Coachability Actually a Sign of ROTTEN Spiritual Fruit?
Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman
“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” Philippians 4:5 NKJV
In the dojo, the mat doesn’t lie. Sweat, pressure, and fatigue have a way of stripping away our masks and revealing true character.
As Christian martial artists, we often focus on the physical discipline or the external morality of “using our skills for good.” But there is a deeper diagnostic tool available to us every time we line up: How do you receive correction?
Jesus warned us that a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 7:16). While He applied this test to false prophets, the mirror faces us as well. If you claim to be a TRUE disciple of Christ—one walking the path of sanctification—will you not naturally exhibit the fruit of a teachable spirit?
If your reputation on the mat is one of defensiveness, stubbornness, or a refusal to adapt, is God’s Word identifying that not just as a bad habit, but as rotting spiritual fruit?
The standard is clear: Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14 NKJV). As His friends and students, we should be known for humility and gentleness—which, in a martial arts context, is a "sweet reasonableness," a willingness to yield our ego to superior instruction for the sake of growth.
It is easy to be a good student when you are being praised for a strong kick. But when a Sensei stops the class to point out a flaw in your foundation, what is your first response? We see the rotting fruit of uncoachability manifest in distinct ways on the mat. It is rarely loud defiance; it is usually a subtle, insidious resistance to growth.
The "Yeah, But..." Student: Imagine a student drilling a self-defense technique. The instructor corrects their distance, showing them how their current spacing leaves them vulnerable. Immediately, the student responds, "Yeah, but I was worried about his other hand," or "Yeah, but that doesn't feel natural to me." Before the correction can even land, up goes the shield of justification. They are quicker to defend their error than to fix it. This is not critical thinking; it is a spiritual reflex of pride.
The "I Already Know This" Student: Picture a senior rank during a basics class. While the white belts are sweating over the details of a front punch, this student is going through the motions with lazy technique and wandering eyes. Their posture screams, “I am past this.” They have stopped learning because they believe they have arrived. This is the arrogance that precedes a fall.
The Damage Beyond the Belt When these students resist coaching, the damage isn't just that they fail their next belt test. The damage is catastrophe in their character.
By rejecting correction on the mat, they are practicing the art of hardening their hearts. They are cementing bad habits, choosing comfort over competence. This isn't just bad martial arts; it is anti-sanctification. It is a statement to God that says, "I prefer my broken way over Your better way."
In a nutshell, uncoachability is pride. It is indicative of a heart turned inward, protecting its own ego rather than seeking truth. A heart turned inward is a disaster under pressure.
In the dojo, sparring or high-intensity drilling reveals deep-seated flaws. When the pressure hits, do you revert to your old, sloppy, instinctual habits (fear and pride), or do you trust the training you've been given?
Think back to Peter stepping out of the boat onto the water. As long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus—the Ultimate Sensei—he did the impossible. But the moment he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the storm, he turned inward to his own fears and insufficiency. He sank.
In martial arts, a student sinks when they look at their own ego instead of trusting their instructor’s guidance. They cling to their insecurities like a false badge of honor. But we are called to something higher. True growth requires shedding the old self, not defending it.
The Path to True Mastery (Sanctification)
So, how do we change what we are known for? How do we move from a reputation of stubbornness to a reputation of gentleness and coachability? Paul gives us the roadmap in Philippians 4.
1. Turn Defensiveness into Submission (Philippians 4:6-7) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” When correction stings your ego and you feel that urge to defend yourself rise up—stop. Turn that anxiety into submission. Before you step on the mat, pray for the humility to be instructed. Thank God for the instructor who cares enough to correct you. A bowed head must precede a black belt.
2. Guard Your Inner Monologue (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true... noble... just... pure... lovely... meditate on these things.” Uncoachability feeds on internal lies like, "He's just picking on me," or "My way works better." You must take every thought captive. If your internal monologue is defensive, cynical, or arrogant, it has no place in the mind of a disciple. Replace "I know" with "Teach me."
3. Drill the Correction (Philippians 4:9) “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do...” You cannot just hear the correction; you must do it. You must rep it out until it overrides your old instinct. Sanctification is a process of "drilling" righteousness until it becomes our nature through the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is at hand. He is watching how we train, not just physically, but spiritually.
What are you known for in your dojo? Are you known for your rank, your power, and your stubbornness when criticized? Or are you known for a gentle, teachable spirit that trusts the process of growth?
Let us be martial artists who point others to the Ultimate Master by how humbly we receive instruction. Let your gentleness—your coachability—be known to all men.
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 NKJV)
“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” Philippians 4:5 NKJV
In the dojo, the mat doesn’t lie. Sweat, pressure, and fatigue have a way of stripping away our masks and revealing true character.
As Christian martial artists, we often focus on the physical discipline or the external morality of “using our skills for good.” But there is a deeper diagnostic tool available to us every time we line up: How do you receive correction?
Jesus warned us that a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 7:16). While He applied this test to false prophets, the mirror faces us as well. If you claim to be a TRUE disciple of Christ—one walking the path of sanctification—will you not naturally exhibit the fruit of a teachable spirit?
If your reputation on the mat is one of defensiveness, stubbornness, or a refusal to adapt, is God’s Word identifying that not just as a bad habit, but as rotting spiritual fruit?
The standard is clear: Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14 NKJV). As His friends and students, we should be known for humility and gentleness—which, in a martial arts context, is a "sweet reasonableness," a willingness to yield our ego to superior instruction for the sake of growth.
It is easy to be a good student when you are being praised for a strong kick. But when a Sensei stops the class to point out a flaw in your foundation, what is your first response? We see the rotting fruit of uncoachability manifest in distinct ways on the mat. It is rarely loud defiance; it is usually a subtle, insidious resistance to growth.
The "Yeah, But..." Student: Imagine a student drilling a self-defense technique. The instructor corrects their distance, showing them how their current spacing leaves them vulnerable. Immediately, the student responds, "Yeah, but I was worried about his other hand," or "Yeah, but that doesn't feel natural to me." Before the correction can even land, up goes the shield of justification. They are quicker to defend their error than to fix it. This is not critical thinking; it is a spiritual reflex of pride.
The "I Already Know This" Student: Picture a senior rank during a basics class. While the white belts are sweating over the details of a front punch, this student is going through the motions with lazy technique and wandering eyes. Their posture screams, “I am past this.” They have stopped learning because they believe they have arrived. This is the arrogance that precedes a fall.
The Damage Beyond the Belt When these students resist coaching, the damage isn't just that they fail their next belt test. The damage is catastrophe in their character.
By rejecting correction on the mat, they are practicing the art of hardening their hearts. They are cementing bad habits, choosing comfort over competence. This isn't just bad martial arts; it is anti-sanctification. It is a statement to God that says, "I prefer my broken way over Your better way."
In a nutshell, uncoachability is pride. It is indicative of a heart turned inward, protecting its own ego rather than seeking truth. A heart turned inward is a disaster under pressure.
In the dojo, sparring or high-intensity drilling reveals deep-seated flaws. When the pressure hits, do you revert to your old, sloppy, instinctual habits (fear and pride), or do you trust the training you've been given?
Think back to Peter stepping out of the boat onto the water. As long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus—the Ultimate Sensei—he did the impossible. But the moment he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the storm, he turned inward to his own fears and insufficiency. He sank.
In martial arts, a student sinks when they look at their own ego instead of trusting their instructor’s guidance. They cling to their insecurities like a false badge of honor. But we are called to something higher. True growth requires shedding the old self, not defending it.
The Path to True Mastery (Sanctification)
So, how do we change what we are known for? How do we move from a reputation of stubbornness to a reputation of gentleness and coachability? Paul gives us the roadmap in Philippians 4.
1. Turn Defensiveness into Submission (Philippians 4:6-7) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” When correction stings your ego and you feel that urge to defend yourself rise up—stop. Turn that anxiety into submission. Before you step on the mat, pray for the humility to be instructed. Thank God for the instructor who cares enough to correct you. A bowed head must precede a black belt.
2. Guard Your Inner Monologue (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true... noble... just... pure... lovely... meditate on these things.” Uncoachability feeds on internal lies like, "He's just picking on me," or "My way works better." You must take every thought captive. If your internal monologue is defensive, cynical, or arrogant, it has no place in the mind of a disciple. Replace "I know" with "Teach me."
3. Drill the Correction (Philippians 4:9) “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do...” You cannot just hear the correction; you must do it. You must rep it out until it overrides your old instinct. Sanctification is a process of "drilling" righteousness until it becomes our nature through the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is at hand. He is watching how we train, not just physically, but spiritually.
What are you known for in your dojo? Are you known for your rank, your power, and your stubbornness when criticized? Or are you known for a gentle, teachable spirit that trusts the process of growth?
Let us be martial artists who point others to the Ultimate Master by how humbly we receive instruction. Let your gentleness—your coachability—be known to all men.
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 NKJV)
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