Morals

 

1 Corinthians 15:33-34 says, Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Sober up morally and stop sinning, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. The Greek word for morals (manners KJV) is “Ēthos”, meaning moral habits, or character. The Webster’s defines the word “morals” as: Conduct; behavior; course of life, in regard to good and evil. Principles of right and wrong in behavior sanctioned by or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment. The practice of the duties of life; as a man of correct morals. Then Noah Webster asks: What can laws do without morals? There must a godly standard to measure by. 

 

Psychology Today states that the moral code guides a person’s choices and behaviors throughout their life. The idea of a moral code extends beyond the individual to include what is determined to be right, and wrong, for a community or society at large; how people make moral decisions. We may think of moralizing as an intellectual exercise, but more frequently it's an attempt to make sense of our gut instincts and reactions. It's a subjective concept, and many people have strong and stubborn beliefs about what's right and wrong that can place them in direct contrast to the moral beliefs of others. What is the standard for morality and who made them? Hint: He made you.

 

Washington states in his farewell address: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion [belief in God] and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. ’Tis substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?”

 

2 Peter 1:1-7 “To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance,

godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

 

As I always say: Know the difference between “right” and “wrong” [meaning in the eyes of God, the Giver of all morals for life], and choose to do what is “right”. Be Moral. Be righteous.

In Christ, Brian