Hanmen Kyoushi

 This week's verses are 1 Corinthians 10:6-11:

These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did. So do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” And let us not be immoral, as some of them were, and 23,000 died in a single day. And let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by snakes. And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

These verses are a continuation of the discussion Paul had about the bad examples of the Israelites in the desert. Their stories are immortalized as an example of what not to do. We can look at their mistakes and use them as motivation to do better.

The Japanese apparently have a concept they call hanmen kyoushi, which means "opposite teacher." It's someone who makes such a big mistake that you can easily learn what not to do. It's kind of like the old Chris Farley SNL sketch about the motivational speaker who lives in a van down by the river. You see where they went wrong, and you are scared straight!

So Paul points to these negative examples, where the blessed people of God became "opposite teachers" and were cursed and slaughtered. Their misfortune becomes our teacher and our coach. We are filled with the fear of God.

This is one of the reasons why it is important to read and study the Bible. Not only can we see what God tells us to do, but we can also learn what not to do. Paul reminds us of the negative consequences of idolatry, immorality, doubt, and negativity. We naturally crave these evil things, but they come with terrible consequences.

 We are blessed to have both good and bad examples to learn from. We can read about God's commandment to worship him only, and also see what happens to those who commit idolatry. We see the exhortations to flee from sexual immorality, and we see what happens to those who engage in it. God's commandment is like a map, and these bad examples are like guardrails to keep us on the path.

Read these verses and ask yourself: "what can I learn from others' bad decisions?" And then strive to be a good example and not an "opposite teacher."