moral is a thing

That is just “immoral”!!!

When was the last time you heard those words?

Seriously!

When was the last time you heard a politician,

or the media say

flat out, with no reservation,

“That is immoral!”

Perhaps part of the problem is we don’t have

a concept of morality and immorality

what is right, and what is wrong?

I am not sure we know

is all about personal freedom and preference

I have the right to do what I want to do

and no one has the right to tell me otherwise

I have the right to believe what I want to believe

and it doesn’t matter what the facts are

my opinion is as important (or more so) than the facts

what is immoral?

I suppose that is a big discussion

but this is the simplest definition I can think of

“something that negatively alters the life of another person (or even yourself”

if I gossip about another person, damaging their reputation

if I intimidate another person, creating fear

if I lie to another person, misinforming them

if I act, or fail to act, in such a way that creates harm to another

that is immoral

we live in a world that has decided, to a great degree,

to ignore morality

and we act immorally, all the time

(at least I do)

and there are very few consequences (except to our souls)

so here is my thought for this day

Immorality is negatively impacting another person’s life

Morality is positively impacting another person’s life

This is not an earth-shattering insight

It is simple

Perhaps simplistic

But it seems right

and do we not find this basic concept everywhere

in the teachings of Jesus and his followers?

love your neighbor as yourself

do not call another a “fool” (ouch)

be light

be salt

don’t be angry

on and on it goes

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another (Ephesians 4:25)

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other… (I Thessalonians 5:11)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3-4)

on and on it goes

don’t tear down, build

don’t minimize, don’t diminish,

do no harm!!

we should not be afraid of morality

we don’t have to be rigid, legalistic, and rule-oriented to be moral

we don’t have to be arrogant or pious

we just have to be kind

people who walk through life aware of the other

concerned about the other

and seeking to help the other

while trying to avoid those words, attitudes, and behaviors that

wound others

or put them at risk

it is that simple

and that complex