Dr H Reflections

Bad company corrupts good morals

Bad company corrupts good morals

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

1 Corinthians 15:30-34

30 And why should we ourselves risk our lives hour by hour?

31 I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you.

32 And what value was there in fighting wild beasts – those people of Ephesus – if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, “Let’

s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

34 Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

Mom Warned Me about Running with a Bad Crowd was published on December 10, 2014.

He often heard his mother say that so-and-so had “fallen in with the wrong crowd.” It was intended as a precautionary tale. His mom was trying to warn me that people often adopt the bad habits of the company they keep.

At any age, we are shaped by the habits of our circle of peers. “Social learning, as behavior analysts have discovered, has more influence on adults than we would like to believe, manifesting itself in sometimes subconscious ways.”

Further, “researchers have discovered an ‘emotional contagion’ phenomenon.” That is our emotions tend to converge with those of our peers. Solomon suggests that we do a self-check regarding the crowd we run with. He offers some guidance.

1. Take inventory. Identify people with negative energy who tend to express an overall bad attitude. They often drain others of energy. Such folks often complain and express a great deal of anger and frustration.

2. Pull back from spending time with them and put some space between you and them.

3. Be intentional and set wise priorities. Seek to be with people who have a successful, upbeat spirit.

4. Elicit input from people you want to emulate. When possible seek their advice, guidance, and mentorship.

5. Work at developing your own positive mental outlook. Develop and reinforce wise, positive habits.

These principles are nothing new. Solomon offered the same advice 3000 years ago.

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

Proverbs 22:24-25

24 Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,

25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

Who would have thought? The Father placed wise counsel in His book for children of the King to follow to live successfully in a fallen world.

REFLECT & PRAY

What is bad company? Bad company does not encourage you to walk closer to the Father (Stanley).

Father help me to be aware of the attitudes and dispositions of those around me. Encourage me to make wise choices that I may be wise and walk with You.

INSIGHT

Children of the King have been declared righteous and forgiven. Their sins are washed away through the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:11 You were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Paul exhorts us to live exemplary lives in a fallen world. He shows us the way

Paul references a common saying of the day that was derived from Menander, a Greek dramatist from Athens. “Bad company corrupts good character.” Such wisdom is recognized across generations and cultures. “Keeping company with evil companions can have a corrosive influence on one’s own attitudes and behavior” (Fee). This implies that we should disassociate ourselves, evil companions, and their conversations.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good character.

The Greek word translated as deceived or fooled is planao. Planao meansto cause to wander, to go astray, or be misled. In the ancient world, human observers noted that the stars, the sun, and the moon move through the heavens in predictable regularity. This was not so for planets such as Venus or Mars. They seemed to wander through the heavens. Hence they were called planets, wanderers.

The Greek word translated as corrupts or ruins is phtheiro which means to waste, pine, corrupt, destroy, defile, spoil, subvert, or bring to a worse state.

The English word ethics comes from the Greek word ethos translated as character, morals, habits, or manners. It refers to the inherent complex of habits and attitudes which determine a person’s moral and ethical actions and reactions.

Regrettably, we often choose the wrong crowd to hang with and delude ourselves in the process. It is as though the apostle Paul shouting at us: stop it, stop it!

He wants us to stop deceiving ourselves, and/or allow ourselves to be misled. When we are deceived, our beliefs and subsequent behavior are affected.

How much bad influence does it take to get us off course and change the trajectory of our lives? Just a little.

1 Corinthians 5:6 Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough?

It is important to recognize that we allow ourselves to be misled. It is a decision that we make. We decide to do so. But the anonymous others who do the misleading share responsibility.

This thought is expressed elsewhere in Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:2 You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols, however, you were led.

The Lord Jesus Christ spoke of the culpability of those who lead the innocent astray.

Matthew 18:6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

The film, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade speaks to the outcome of our choices: life or death. The Grail Knight who is guarding the Grail warns, “You must choose. But choose wisely. For as the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.”

Choose wisely!

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Peace, peace ∙

Peace, peace ∙

“Peace peace,” they say, when there is no peace. – Jeremiah 8:11

Jeremiah 8:8-15

8 How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the LORD,” when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies?

9 These wise teachers will fall into the trap of their own foolishness, for they have rejected the word of the LORD. Are they so wise after all?

10 . . . Their lives are ruled by greed. Yes, even my prophets and priests are like that. They are all frauds.

11 They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace.

12 Are they ashamed of these disgusting actions? Not at all – they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them, says the LORD.

15 We hoped for peace, but no peace came. We hoped for a time of healing, but found only terror.

Contestants in American beauty pageants when asked what they want most in life, repeat the somewhat hackneyed phrase that desired “world peace.” In the year 2000, the movie Miss Congeniality was released in American movie theaters. It starred Sandra Bullock as an FBI agent. A bomb threat had been made against the Miss United States beauty pageant. Sandra Bullock had to go undercover to prevent the bombing. Playing a matter-of-fact, hardened FBI Special Agent, when asked what she wanted, answered, “I really do just want world peace!”

If humanity finds the solution for world peace it will be the most revolutionary reversal of its record, we have ever known (General George C. Marshall).

I call upon the scientific community in our country, those who gave us nuclear weapons, to turn their great talents now to the cause of mankind and world peace: to give us the means of rendering these nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete (President Ronald Reagan).

The Father’s prophets warned the nation of Israel that if they did not adhere to the Father’s law judgment would come. Now, the ax was about the fall. The opportunity for repentance had passed. Prayer and furtive intercession could not change that. Death and destruction were now certain. Not even if the most righteous and faithful Old Testament members of the Father’s Hall of Faith could avert the coming disaster.

Ezekiel 14:14 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign LORD.

But at the same time, circa 600 BC, there were many false prophets among the people. They were predicting peace, not destruction. But the Father’s prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah stood tall and stood alone. Tragically, the people ignored them, as they had done previously with so many of the Father’s servants that came before them.

Jeremiah reminded the people that the Father had said.

Jeremiah 7:23-26

23 This is what I told them: “Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!”

24 “But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.”

25 “From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send my servants, the prophets – day in and day out.”

26 “But my people have not listened to me or even tried to hear.”

REFLECT & PRAY

So many say they want “World Peace.” However, peace will be elusive for humanity, because so many ignore the Father God and His Son, The Prince of Peace.

Father thank You that You promised us, “Peace on earth and goodwill toward men.” Thank You that the Prince of Peace has come into the hearts of all those who have accepted Him.

INSIGHT

Jeremiah 8:8-15 is a scathing denunciation and condemnation of Judah’s “spiritual leaders.” Their words were filled with false claims and assertions. They deceitfully declared that they knew the Father’s word, were handling it correctly and faithfully obeying it. But that was only because their understanding of the Word was perverted and twisted (Jeremiah 8:8).

Nothing much has changed in the last 2600 years; the same thing is going on today among many of the “spiritual leaders” in our times.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.

2 Peter 3:16 Those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

Not only did Jeremiah expose these “wise men” as frauds and unscrupulous interpreters of the Father’s truth, but he also accuses them of living only for money, self-aggrandizement, and perpetuating their own deceit (Jeremiah 8:9-10).

Perhaps they didn’t know the truth or simply ignored it. Regardless, they blatantly lied to the people. They told them all is well. But nothing could be further from the truth. They declared, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace (Jeremiah 8:11).

All these things were bad enough in and of themselves. But perhaps the worst of all is that the leaders were not the least bit ashamed of their conduct. Things were bad, but they were going to get much worse. In the coming destruction, they would get exactly what they had coming to them because of their deceits and loathsome lifestyles. When the false shepherds face the Father’s justice, things will not and well for them.

Jeremiah 8:12 Are they ashamed of these disgusting actions? Not at all – they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them, says the LORD.

In our present world, peace remains elusive. The source of conflict is our rebellion against the Father. The sin of the human race has robbed the planet Earth of peace.

World peace will only come when the Prince of Peace returns from heaven, ends all war. And sets up His kingdom. Peace will reign for a thousand years.

But individually each of the children of the King can experience personal peace right now

Romans 5:1 We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Revelation 22:20 Come, Lord Jesus!

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Mother-love and chiseled hands ∙

Mother-love and chiseled hands ∙

As a mother consoles a child, so I will comfort you. – Isaiah 66:13

Isaiah 49:14-16

14 Yet Jerusalem says, “The LORD has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.”

15 “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!

16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.,

There are all types of human love. It is said that a mother’s love is foremost of all. What makes it so special? A mother’s love is unconditional and permanent. The child does not have to win its mother’s love. Mother-love is unconditional love. It is independent of the child’s personality, characteristics, or circumstances. A mother’s love is not earned or deserved, rather it is freely given because of who the child is, not what it does.

The Father God has wired mothers so that, the love-bond between mother and child arises instantly. It is a bond that unites two bodies and souls. It often begins at the moment the mother knows she is pregnant. But it climaxes at the moment the child is born. Mothers have a strong built-in instinct to nurture and protect

An abundant, healthy, wholesome relationship, resting firmly upon unconditional love, affection, and respect, makes for secure, well-balanced, happy children.

The Scriptures use many metaphors to portray the relationship between God and those that believe in Him: shepherd and sheep, vine and branches, head and body, bride and bridegroom, husband and wife. But the most frequent and important is Father and child. The Scriptures certainly emphasize the Fatherhood of God.

What is less well known is that He is also pictured as a compassionate Mother. In the same way that a mother loves, comforts, and cares for her children, the eternal God watches over and is mindful of each child in the forever family (Isaiah 66:13).

Is it possible for a mother to neglect or mistreat her child? Regrettably yes, sometimes the unthinkable can and does happen. But it is an aberration, not the norm. But our King would never do this! The Father assures His people of His love by comparing Himself to a compassionate mother. Israel is depicted as a nursing child, totally dependent upon its mother. As a loving mother would never forget nor forsake her child, neither will the Lord. The Father lavishes mother-love on each child of the King.

Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her baby who nurses at her breast? Can she withhold compassion from the child she has borne? Even if mothers were to forget, I could never forget you!

Jeremiah 31:20 “Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?” says the LORD. “I often have spoken against him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.”

REFLECT & PRAY

“God loves you more than any mother has ever loved her own son or daughter. Everything He does in your life; He does out of love and for love’s sake. He allows even the hard times for your benefit” (Stanley).

Father thank You for being caring and loving me with mother-love, you are gentle and compassionate as You nestle me in Your loving arms. Thank You for loving me so much that You have placed my name on the palm of Your hand.

INSIGHT

But there’s more.

Isaiah 49:16 behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

It was a common practice during the Old Testament, for servants to have the names of their masters engraved on their hands. The mark signified ownership and permanence. Much like the branding of cattle in our day. Generally, the owner’s name was engraved on the right hand (IVP, BBC). While servants would have their master’s names on their hands, a master did not write his servant’s name on his hands.

But the Father God turns everything around. He has engraved each of His children’s names on His hands. The word translated as engraved or inscribed is the word chaqaq in Hebrew. It means to carve, engrave, cut in, chisel, or hallow out. “This is not a tattoo on the back of his hand, and it is not something written with weak ink that can fade or be erased; this is permanently carved into his metaphorical flesh” (Gary Smith).

It is like what we do in our culture when we tie a string around our finger to remind us of something. By putting our names on the palms of His hands, the Father has a constant reminder of each of His children.

But there’s even more. The verse begins with the word “behold” or “see.” What does this suggest? The Father is beckoning the children of the King, His children to look at the outstretched palms of His hands. To each one of us, He says, “Look my child, here is your name, which I carved into My hands out of love for you. I will never forget you!”

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Boasting in the Father not ourselves

Boasting in the Father not ourselves

If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD. – 1 Corinthians 1:31

Jeremiah 9:23-24

23 This is what the LORD says: Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.

24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546. In one of his pockets, he had placed a slip of paper reminding him, “We are beggars, that’s the truth.”

The self-help section of any bookstore is filled with hundreds of books offering guidance that will supposedly lead to a happy, successful, and meaningful life.

Throughout the millennia, people have sought to better themselves and improve their lot in life. Sadly, many self-help efforts have proved to be less than stellar. The urge for self-improvement actually began in the Garden of Eden. Being the Father’s highest created beings on planet Earth was not enough. They wanted more. They wanted to be like God (Genesis 3:5). But the results were horrendous and introduced sin into the human race.

Is there a more excellent way to help ourselves?

The wisdom and understanding needed are found in the greatest “self-help” book ever written: the Word of God. The Bible invites us to enter into a relationship with the Father God. He is the Supreme Being. He is the source of true wisdom. He is the Lord of lords the King of kings. He lovingly created all that is and set people at the pinnacle of His earthly creation. People alone are able to commune to Him.

Sadly it is part of our fallen DNA to become proud, arrogant, and boastful regarding our abilities and achievements. But in so doing, even children of the King forget that our talents and skills are all gifts from the Father of lights.

James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.

The prophet Jeremiah laments the unrepentant hearts and lack of humility of the people of Judah. They cannot see the forest through the trees.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

23 Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.

REFLECT & PRAY

Our Father in heaven is the true designer and giver of all that we are! Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father (James 1:17).

Father may I honor You as the source of all the good and precious gifts You have provided. To You alone belong honor and glory. Teach me to boast only in You.

INSIGHT

The human race is the quintessence of the Father’s creation on earth. Yet we are lower in status and authority than angels.

Psalms 8:4-5

4 What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?

5 Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

Recognizing this has a tragic downside. Simply speaking we get carried away. Rather than recognizing and honoring the Father as the source of all, we focus on ourselves.

“Intelligence, power, and riches all give human beings the illusion of being in control – but the illusion always comes to an end. When we put our confidence in God alone, however, we find something worth our boasting” (Stanley).

Why was Judah so spiritually misguided in their devotion and boasting? Their values and priorities were terribly askew. Rather than embracing true wisdom, they preferred the earthly, unspiritual, and demonic wisdom of the world (James 3:15).

“True religion consists in a personal and existential knowledge of God, and in a commitment to those qualities displayed by Yahweh himself – unfailing loyalty, justice, and right dealing” (Thompson).

Our priorities reveal by our values.

Soli Deo Gloria: To God Alone Be the Glory (J.S. Bach).

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Identity politics and the Forever Family ∙

Identity politics and the Forever Family ∙

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. – Ephesians 2:14

Ephesians 2:15-19

15 He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.

16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.

18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

The term “identity politics” has only recently entered the mainstream of American culture. Identity politics, called by different names, has been around for millennia. In 1991, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., historian, authored a book, The Disuniting of America. The book discussed identity politics at length.

At present, in overly simplistic terms, identity politics refers to social groups categorized mainly based on gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, social class, profession, culture, language, disability, education, occupation, gender, urban or rural habitation, or veteran status.

For democracy to function properly, a common basis for culture and society is needed. America was once called the melting pot of the world. The term was first coined in the 1780s. It came into common usage after the play, The Melting Pot by Israel Zangwill premiered in 1908. The term “Melting Pot” is a metaphor describing immigrants “melting” into the culture they enter. Heterogeneous individuals and groups “melt together” into a harmonious whole with a common culture via the assimilation of immigrants to the United States. People came to this country to become “Americans.” The American people showcase unity and diversity.

Is there any doubt that whatever consensus formally existed in America has fractured? Rather than focusing on what unites us as Americans, differences are emphasized. Today it is all about privilege or the lack thereof, power and powerlessness. The riffs, fractures, and marginalization grow stronger through emphasis and affirmation of differences. The differences become battle cries to rally around.

Spirit of the day screams, “What matters most to me and those with whom I identify with is my utmost priority.” The concerns of other groups, or the “greater whole” of society are ignored and disregarded. Is it too much to say that this is herd narcissism?

As children of the King, what are our identity politics? Putting it another way, who or what do we identify and bond with? What removes divisions based upon identity politics and unifies us?

REFLECT & PRAY

The Lord Jesus Christ tore down the walls that separated people.

Father thank You for providing a way to allow all people, from all periods of human history to become one, united together in Your Forever Family. Encourage me to identify and abolish any walls that may remain within my heart. May I welcome and embrace every brother and sister.

INSIGHT

Ancient Rome was very much into identity politics. It was extremely class-conscious and hierarchical. There were essentially only two broad categories of classes: upper and lower. Rome had no middle-class.

There were two upper classes. The Senatorial class (senatores) those who served in the Senate. The basis for this class was solely political. The Equestrian class (equites) was based solely upon economics. If you had enough money you are considered an equestrian.

There were five lower classes. Commons (plebs or vulgus) were all other freeborn Roman citizens. Latins (Latini) were freeborn residents of Italy. Foreigners (peregrine) consisted of all other freeborn men and women who lived in Roman territories. Freedpeople (liberti or libertini) had been slaves that had either bought their freedom or had been released from slavery. Slaves (servi) were nothing more than chattel. By law, they were the property of their owners. It is estimated that about 25% of the population were slaves.

The New Testament has multiple examples of identity politics.

1 Corinthians 1:12 Some of you are saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”

John 4:9 Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

John 1:46 Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?

Colossians 3:11 Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman,

Galatians 3:28 slave or free, male and female.

Witnessing firsthand all of the enmity and animosity identity politics created amongst the Father’s children, Paul was incredulous and asked, “Has Christ been divided into factions?” (1 Corinthians 1:13)

What was the Father’s answer to identity politics? He created one Forever Family. Everyone is welcome in His Forever Family. Everyone is loved and treated fairly and equally. His Forever Family includes people from diverse backgrounds, classes, ethnicities, wealth, religions, and gender.

To create unity, to overcome discord, animosity, and hatred between opposing groups required the ultimate sacrifice. It was the Lord Jesus Christ who chose to die to rid planet Earth of identity politics for all children of the King for all time and eternity.

The division and animus between Jews and Gentiles were perhaps the strongest and the most severe. The law of Moses required the legal separation of Jews and Gentiles. It was improper for them to join together, commingle, and intermarry.

Ephesians 2:15-19

15 He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.

16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.

18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

In the Father’s Forever Family, all His children enjoy the same privileges and gifts. It provides unity while maintaining diversity. The Forever Family is the ultimate melting pot.

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