You Have to be Carefully Taught

This Week’s Memory Verse…

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26

Teach. Teach? You mean we won’t just know it…we have to be taught? That always reminds me of a song from my childhood, from the movie “South Pacific” written by Richard Rogers about being carefully taught to love and hate...or actually to be prejudiced.  

You've got to be taught to hate and fear
You've got to be taught from year to year
It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught before it's too late
Before you are six or seven or eight
To hate all the people your relatives hate
You've got to be carefully taught

What a sad song, but that is not what the Holy Spirit would teach us or have us teach others. We don’t need to be afraid of people who are different. God doesn’t see differences in people. He so loves the whole world. How about changing some of the words?

You've got to be taught to love with no fear
You've got to be taught from year to year
It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught to be not afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught before it's too late
Before you are six or seven or eight
To love all the people and never to hate
You've got to be carefully taught

It is important that the teaching begins at home. Children's character is established by the time they are five. Don't leave these important concepts to the Sunday School teacher...or even expect the public school teachers to include that in their curriculum.

Another song, in my head, has the lyrics…Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world. That is the concept about love by which Jesus wants us to live. He loves everyone…so we should too. After the Last Supper, Jesus gave some specific teaching to His disciples. He said…

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35

How are you showing your love for fellow Christians? What have you been “taught” to do? Take care of the widows and orphans…wash the feet of others…give food, clothes, and shelter to those in need? Comfort and encourage others?

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

Go Zander!
We have to be carefully taught to do a cartwheel...
or to love others.
Are you teachable?

What are you teaching other believers that the Holy Spirit has taught you? You have to be carefully taught.

Prayer ~ Dear Lord… Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as we heard from the beginning. 2 John 1:6. Help us to be well taught…and to be obedient to Your word that all that we think, say and do would bring You glory.

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 7-9   

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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