Tag Archives: maintaining self-control

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As public education in America continues to decline year after year, learning has been replaced by inclusion, equity, and diversity.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

Pushing and Shoving

Pushing and shoving are often associated with a heated argument, fight or skirmish.  When tempers flare, maintaining self-control is a difficult task.  In my half century on earth, I have only been involved in two fights.  While eating lunch in junior high, someone called my name, I stood up and then was blind sided by a punch, dropping to the floor immediately.  A few years later, I was defending a younger neighbor who was black from a high school student who wanted to beat him up.  Although I didn’t want to fight, I stepped in to protect my friend.

But as Jesus went, the people were crowding against Him [almost crushing Him], Luke 8:42b.

The Bible refers to a difficult kind of pushing and shoving.  The passage above would be equivalent to a modern day outdoor rock concert, with fans trying to get as close as possible to their favorite member of a band on stage.  Although its unclear, I’m assuming the disciples served as body guards, attempting to hold the masses back from crushing Jesus.  Nonetheless, these desperate souls did whatever was necessary to touch Jesus while he passed by.

And a woman who had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years [and had spent all her money on physicians], and could not be healed by anyone, 44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His outer robe, and immediately her bleeding stopped, Luke 8:43-44.

When people are hurting, ill or plagued by an unknown condition, there are different levels of urgency.  An initial diagnosis may be cause for concern, but some take no immediate action.  However, as symptoms intensify, hope turns into fear.  The woman in the passage above went from doctor to doctor, spending her life savings without any improvement.  This dire state prompted this woman to push and shove her way through a massive crowd of spectators until Jesus was in reach.  When you reach this point of desperation, cry out to Jesus so that healing and restoration becomes reality.

by Jay Mankus