Have Self-Control Over Your Actions (& Thoughts)
Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(3) It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; (4) that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, (5) not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God…’ (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians gave this warning regarding sexual immorality as Thessalonica in those days was predominately a trading port on Greece’s northern coastline of the Aegean Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea) that had much to offer its citizens and visitors in terms of debauchery. The number one immoral activity there was sexual immorality, but Paul could have replaced those words with any vice, for any place, and these three verses would still be applicable to the Christian. Jesus provides a list of activities that can be replacements in Mark 7:20-23; we should avoid “theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness”.
Sports are a great example as it is a microcosm of society. There has been an uptick of fights in the stands and on the field in the first two weeks of the NFL season. What we see trending in events by all who play or attend is the bad behavior creeping in from society at large. What was usually considered only to be a ‘Philadelphia’ problem (where Santa Claus was booed, cheers for opponents injured, etc.) is now becoming nationwide. Part of it is the push for ‘minor crime decriminalization’ by district attorneys, where crimes have escalated due to non-enforcement or the dropping of charges. The morals and the threat of consequences that held poor reactions back (like the desire to punch an opponent in the handshake line) has diminished, so the inhibitions to act violently are no longer restrained.
Anything that is sinful should be avoided, whether society says it’s acceptable or not. Just because shoplifting is essentially legal in places like San Francisco, doesn’t mean the Christian should do any ‘five-finger discounts’ if visiting there. God’s morality should stop us from doing so, our Christian integrity should kick in and have us go to the register instead of the doors. We should allow the Holy Spirit within us to stop the impulse to do such things, and we need to stay tuned in to listen to Him. The pagans can lust over sinful actions or unearned gains, but we as Christians should not.
It is also up to us to set the example, to walk away or say ‘no’ to such things. We need to be humble and apologize when we fail to do so and repent for forgiveness. We need to show sportsmanship that reflects God’s character when in sports; business acumen should reflect God’s character when in business. Most importantly, we need to continue to share the Gospel with those who are pagans, so that they have the opportunity to realize God’s ways are the only correct ways to live!
