How are we to live our lives (core values)?
Happy New Year!! So, are you going to do and be any different this year?
What do the phrases; "moral compass," "conscience," "...raised better than that" have in common? Probably, the initial connection that comes to my mind is - somebody's in trouble.
I have haunting childhood memories of phrases such as, "You were raised better than that!" Or, "You know better than that!" Perhaps heard most frequently was, "What on earth were you thinking?!"
We aren't born with the good 'core values' that makes for a "moral compass," or "conscience" that will keep us from doing wrong.
Core values have to be deliberately chosen, developed and nurtured by each individual. The fact that not everyone is interested in being a "principled" person is the reason there are 'kids' from good families who take a vastly different path than their siblings.
Our society tends to assign guilt and responsibility to social systems, parents, family systems, or on poverty. The reality is that there are many of us who not only weren't raised with silver spoons, we didn't even know anyone personally who owned silver, but we chose paths reflective of values and ideals - not paths of least resistance.
Paul gave us very straightforward instruction in Ephesians 4 as to how we should think and be...
Don't act like an infant
Speak the truth WITH love
Don't engage in "futile" thoughts
Don't be ignorant (don't be stupid, either!)
Be sensitive and compassionate
Develop new attitudes
When you talk, be helpful NOT hurtful
Don't be bitter or angry
Don't be ready to fight or tell someone off
Don't hold ill will toward anyone
Be kind
Be forgiving
Remember that God, through Christ Jesus, has forgiven you!
Okay! So, are you going to do and be any different this year?