How can you apply being "taught by God" in your daily life? Setting the Foundation • 1 Thessalonians 4:9 anchors the study: “Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” • Scripture’s literal claim is straightforward: God Himself is the Teacher, and the lesson centers on love that shows up in everyday life. What “Taught by God” Means • Direct divine instruction—God speaks through His written Word (2 Timothy 3:16). • Inner illumination by the Holy Spirit—He guides believers into truth (John 16:13). • Ongoing, not one-time—Isaiah 54:13 promises continual, covenant teaching. • Always Christ-centered—John 6:45 connects God’s teaching to coming to Jesus. Practical Ways to Live It Daily Scripture Engagement • Read with expectancy: open the Bible believing God is addressing you personally. • Meditate slowly; underline verbs that show what God teaches you to do. • Memorize key verses (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 4:9) so the Spirit can recall them in real-time situations. Active Obedience • Translate truth into action the same day—you hear “love one another,” so choose a concrete act of kindness before nightfall (James 1:22). • Keep short accounts with sin; confession keeps spiritual reception clear (Psalm 32:5). Prayerful Listening • After reading, sit quietly and ask, “Lord, how do You want this truth expressed today?” • Jot the impression and test it against Scripture’s plain meaning (Acts 17:11). Spirit-Led Relationships • Approach every person as a divinely appointed opportunity to practice God-taught love. • In conflicts, pause and recall the Teacher’s lesson; respond with gentleness and truth (Ephesians 4:15). Wise Counsel • Surround yourself with mature believers; God often reinforces His teaching through them (Proverbs 27:17). • Compare any advice to the Bible’s clear commands; God never contradicts Himself. Common Obstacles and God’s Solutions • Distraction → Set phone-free “Word windows” during the day (Psalm 119:37). • Doubt → Remember God’s promise to instruct you personally (Psalm 32:8). • Self-reliance → Trust the Lord, not your own insight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Encouraging Promises to Remember • “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8). • “All your sons will be taught by the LORD” (Isaiah 54:13). • “Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me” (John 6:45). Final Takeaway Living as someone “taught by God” means opening His Word daily, welcoming the Spirit’s instruction, and immediately expressing that teaching—especially through tangible, self-sacrificing love to others. |
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