Morals: October 2,1 2010

Today's Word for Thursday October 21, 2010

MORALS

DEFINITION

Distinction between right and wrong; the rules of right conduct; conforming to rules based on ethical rather than legal rights.

SCRIPTURE

"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart." Proverbs 21:2

"All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits." Proverbs 16:2

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

God is the source of morality. In His Word he has given us His standard for morals. As a result of our sinful nature man likes to do what he wants to do. We can rationalize that almost anything is "OK" and then proceed in doing it and feeling that it is all right and justified.

The writer of Proverbs in the verses above tells us that the way man sees it is, "every way of a man is right in his own eyes." and "all the ways of man are pure in his own eyes." The writer tells us that God sees it differently. God sets the standards of what is right and He will judge if what we do is right. We can be certain that if our way does not measure up to God's moral standard, as given in His Word, that our way is not right.

We are living in a world where people live for their own self interests and could care less about their morals if they stand in the way of what they want to do. They prefer to be popular with the world than to be right with God. Integrity seems to be more and more lacking in the lives of people. There is a quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln that we read recently, that we would like to share with you. As you read this compare it to what we seem to read and hear about our friends, neighbors and leaders.

"My desire is to so conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall have at least one friend left, the friend deep down inside of me. I do the very best I know how; the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing that until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me will not amount to anything. If the end brings me out all wrong then a legion of angels swearing that I was right will make no difference."

Abraham Lincoln was willing to do the right thing no matter what the cost, even if it meant he lost every one of his friends. He left us a heritage to build upon and as a people we have not built on this heritage. He always trusted God for the wisdom that God alone could give to make the correct moral decisions in life. In the eyes of many, slavery was all right. Abraham Lincoln recognized that in the eyes of God it was wrong and must be abolished.

An army officer recently told of his first night in a tent on the battlefield. Most of the troops were swearing and telling filthy stories. Finally the officer spoke and said to all in the tent; "I have heard your rough talk but now I am going to talk to God. Out of respect to Him I ask you all to please be quiet." The place grew quiet; the officer prayed alone and never again had to contend with immoral talk.

We share these stories and quotes with you to encourage you to stand firm in honoring God in all you do. May your morals include the high standards that Jesus expects from us.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:16.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

PRAYER

Thank You for the clear standards that You have given me to live by each day. Help my ways to be Your ways and not what seems to be right in the eyes of others. Give me the courage of that Army officer to take a stand against immorality even if I must stand alone.