Tag Archives: immoral behavior

Amoral or Ignorant?

As public education in America continues to decline year after year, learning has been replaced by inclusion, equity, and diversity. As more and more high school graduates fail to meet basic reading and writing standards, a new generation of individuals aren’t being taught the importance of morality in every aspect of life. When many of these former students become adults, don’t be surprised if they are amoral, not knowing right from wrong.

Furthermore, [a]brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life]. For you know what charges and precepts we gave you [[b]on the authority and by the inspiration of] the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3.

In the first century, the apostle Paul explains another reason for immoral behavior. During numerous missionary trips, Paul met individuals who he describes as ignorant. Apparently, Thessalonica was a breeding ground for people who were ignorant of faith in God. Perhaps, many of these individuals were taught to trust themselves as a child. Subsequently, trusting in God was a sign of weakness to many living in Thessalonica.

That each one of you should know how to [c]possess (control, manage) his own [d]body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor, Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will, 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5.

The apostle Paul addresses the issue of being amoral and ignorant in the fourth chapter of his letter to the Church at Thessalonica. Paul uses common sense to introduce this topic with maintaining self-control. Paul addresses this issue in Romans 8:5-8 and Galatians 5:16-18 where morality comes down to following the Holy Spirit or indulging your flesh. When Christians develop a Christ like mindset, 1 Timothy 1:16, ignorance will be replaced by faith in Christ, Galatians 2:20-21.

by Jay Mankus

Attitude Adjustment

At one point as a high school teacher, I thought teenagers were the ones who needed an attitude adjustment.  Whenever certain students didn’t get their way, a scene would ensue, usually huffing and puffing their way into a tizzy.  Yet, as a coach for nearly two decades now, some parents model bad attitudes which their children often adopt.

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them, Acts 16:23, 25.

In some cases, people have the right to complain.  Especially, for those who have been accused or blamed for an act without a trial to prove their innocence.  However, the apostle Paul teaches those who over-react an important life lesson.  After being imprisoned for freeing a slave from her greedy masters, Paul turns to the only One who can maintain his temper.  In the face of adversity, Paul leaned on prayer and worship to calm his emotions.

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want, Galatians 5:17.

Based upon a letter written to the church at Galatia, the apostle Paul dealt with the source behind bad attitudes.  Human nature tends to feed on acts of the flesh which take the form of immoral behavior.  While some are considered worse than others, each of the fruits of this sinful nature can poison the attitudes of good people.  In view of these invisible forces, follow in the footsteps of Paul by turning your heart and minds toward prayer and worship.  By doing this you will be on your way toward completing a spiritual attitude adjustment.

by Jay Mankus