The School of Christ: What to Unlearn and What to Master
Base Texts:
• Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."
• Philippians 4:9: "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things..."
Proposition: The faithful Christian must intentionally reject what God condems and diligently learn what God approves.
I. The "Unlearning" List: Things We Must Reject
The world is a loud teacher. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves "graduating" in behaviors that distance us from the Father.
• Idleness: (1 Timothy 5:13; Proverbs 28:19) The world often celebrates "living for the weekend" or avoiding responsibility. However, idleness is the playground of sin. It leads to empty talk and a life without purpose. God calls us to a life of diligence and meaningful work.
• The Ways of Anger: (Proverbs 22:24–25; Efesios 4:31) Anger is contagious. If you spend your time with hot-tempered people, you will "learn their ways." We must unlearn the habit of reacting with bitterness or violence and instead put away all clamor and malice.
• Worldly Customs: (Jeremiah 10:2–5; Romans 12:1–2) Israel often failed because they wanted to look like the nations around them. Today, the pressure to "fit in" with secular culture or syncretic religious practices is immense. We are called to be a peculiar people, not a carbon copy of the world.
• Human Reasoning: (Proverbs 19:27; Isaiah 55:8) Our logic is often flawed by self-interest. God says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts." We must unlearn the habit of relying solely on "common sense" or secular philosophy and start reasoning through the lens of Scripture.
• Expertise in Evil: (Romans 16:19; Jeremiah 4:22) The world teaches us how to "get ahead" through deceit or how to enjoy "dark" entertainment. Paul’s instruction is clear: be wise about what is good, but innocent about what is evil.
II. The "Learning" List: What to Master
Transformation happens when we fill the space left by unlearning with the virtues of Heaven.
1. The Fear of the Lord
This is not a "scared" fear, but a profound reverence that leads us to hate what God hates (Proverbs 8:13). Without this, our spiritual education has no foundation.
2. Practical Goodness and Humility
• Doing Good: We must learn to be "zealous for good works" (Tito 3:14). It is a skill developed through practice.
• Humility: Jesus said, "Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). Humility is the antidote to the pride that causes most of our conflicts.
3. The Secret of Contentment
(Philippians 4:11–13) Paul didn't just "feel" content; he learned it. Contentment is a spiritual muscle that grows when we trust that Christ is our sufficient strength, regardless of our bank account or our circumstances.
4. Holiness, Justice, and Love
• Holiness: This is the standard of the Kingdom—living a life set apart for God’s use (1 Peter 1:15).
• Love: This is the "new commandment" (Juan 13:34–35). It is the visible evidence that we have actually passed the course.
III. The Final Exam: Practice What You Learn
A student who memorizes the textbook but fails the lab has not truly learned.
• Philippians 4:9 tells us to practice what we have heard and seen.
• James 1:22 warns that hearing without doing is a form of self-deception.
The goal of our "spiritual education" is not to become "smarter" than our neighbors, but to become more like our Savior. Obedience is the only way to confirm that our learning is real.
- How Iniquity Separates Us from God
- How to Triumph: Finding Victory in the Christian Struggle
- Staying Connected: How to Avoid Separation from God
Conclusion
We are all learning from someone. Every movie we watch, every conversation we have, and every habit we form is a "lesson."
Are you learning the world's cynicism, or are you learning Christ's compassion? Are you unlearning the pride of your past, or are you letting it grow? Let us commit to being lifelong students in the School of Christ, rejecting the curriculum of the world and embracing the wisdom of the Word.
