Category: Ethics

“You judge by human standards; I judge no one” (John 8:15).

Judgments distort the truth, they don’t reveal it. Judgments narrow our vision so we can only see things from one perspective. And that perspective is always limited.

Understand what a judgment is. It is taking a position. And then you can only see the situation from that position. That means that by making a judgment, you are blinding yourself from all other perspectives.

It is best to look at a situation from all angles.. You don’t have all truth. You don’t see all of reality. Which means then you must be open to different perspectives. And in order to see things from different perspectives, you need to not choose one.

For we are disturbed not by the event itself, but by our judgment about it. Making judgments causes pur suffering. For judgments make us attached to a certain outcome, and when that outcome doesn’t come to pass, we suffer. It’s just best just not to judge.

A virtue is a disposition, it is a propensity to act in a way that is good. It in a mind set that responds in a way that right, just, and loving.

The Aim

All dispositions are developed through two factors. The first is the aim or goal. That is, if you’re developing wisdom, the aim is to see clearly the true nature of reality. That’s the aim.

The Habits

The second part of developing a disposition, is the habit. It’s not enough to aim for a particular disposition, we must also develop the habits that support that aim.

If our aim is to develop wisdom, then we must practice deep thinking, reflection, and good reason. We must also practice looking at things from different perspectives. We must have deep knowledge of the subject we’re thinking about. So there’s a learning involved as well.

Plant and Cultivate

So it is through a proper aim and appropriate habits that we develop virtue
So think of a virtue you want to develop, think about the aim of the virtue. And then think about the habits that support that disposition. It’s the aim that plant the seed in the heart, is the habits that cultivate it.

Spiritual Disciplines

This is called spiritual formation. This is why the spiritual disciplines are so important. They are what makes the seed grow and survive the storms of life. We must make the aim to live the virtue, but we have to use the spiritual disciplines to develop the habits that support that virtue.

Caffeine is a drug. I have ingested caffeine my entire life. Only recently I have begun to understand the effects of caffeine on the body and brain.

Caffeine has to be the most acceptable drug in the world. But if you listen to spiritual teachers they will tell you that it is a drug, but it affects your mental clarity, and can hinder your spiritual journey.

So I have begun the withdrawal process. The biggest thing I notice is the headache. From what I understand it can last from 2 to 9 days.

I recently discovered that caffeine withdrawal is recognized as a diagnosis in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.

In other words, caffeine withdrawal is in the same category as cocaine withdrawal, and alcohol withdrawal. Caffeine is a real drug and can be a real problem.

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22 KJV).

Based upon this verse, it would appear that we’re supposed to abstain, not just from evil, but also from even the appearance of evil. But that’s not what Paul meant. This is a mistranslation in the Kingdom James Version.

Every Form not Appearance

Almost all other translations translate this as the New Revised Standard Version Updated Version does, “abstain from every form of evil.”

For example, it is translated exactly the same in the American Standard Version, the New King James Version, the Berean Study Bible, the English Revised Version, the World English Bible, the New American Standard Bible, the Legacy Standard Bible, the Amplified Bible, the New Heart English Bible, and the Worrell New Testament.

Bible Commentaries

As Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers explains:

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” –This translation cannot stand. Possibly it might be rendered “every form of evil,” but the most natural version would be, “Hold yourselves aloof from every evil kind”–i.e., evil kind of whatever you may be testing.”

Whereas the pulpit commentary explains:

“The word translated “appearance” has been differently rendered; it denotes form, figure, species, kind; so that the clause is to be rendered, “Abstain from all form of evil” (R.V.), or, “of the evil,” the word being an abstract substantive.”

The biblical term for love is agape. It is not a feeling it’s an act of the will. It is choosing the highest good of another solely on their intrinsic value.

Therefore, God is to be loved infinitely, and his good sought first and foremost. And our neighbor’s good is to be sought equally with our own good, because we are all of equal value.

There’s actually a whole sermon just in that definition itself. All humans are of equal value according to Jesus. That’s why we’re supposed to love our neighbor as ourselves. And a neighbor is simply someone who is near enough to do good to.

The Love Chapter

In order to understand love, from the biblical perspective, let us look at what is called the love chapter. I’ll be using the Amplified Bible for this short commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

“Love endures with patience and serenity” (verse 4).

Of course this is dealing with other people. Love endures with patience and serenity, not only life circumstances, but interactions with other humans.

“Love is kind and thoughtful” (verse 4).

There surely is not enough kindness in the world. And few people nowadays are thoughtful. Unfortunately. Most people are inconsiderate and do not think about how their actions affect others.

I will give you an example. I don’t know how many times I’ve been at work, and somebody will be blaring their phone with their favorite music. I don’t listen to secular music, and I don’t enjoy listening to someone else’s music. It is unthoughtful.

“[Love] is not jealous or envious” (verse 4).

To be jealous means that you wish the other person didn’t have what they got. To be envious means to want what the other person has. The best way to be unhappy is to never be satisfied with what you have.

“Love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant” (verse 4).

A person wrapped up in themselves makes a very small package. Love is about an open heart, not a closed heart. Love is about putting other other persons first, not oneself.

How often I see, even preachers, bragging. The truth is, if we do something good, all credit should go to God. If we do something bad, all blame should be put upon ourselves.

“[Love] is not rude” (verse 5).

If you’re being rude to another person, know that you’re not being loving. And furthermore, you’re not being God-like. Holiness is about being all loving.

“[Love] is not self-seeking” (verse 5).

The opposite of sin is love. Sin is self-seeking. Love is not self-seeking. The law is love, therefore, the breaking of the law is self-seeking. It’s putting our interest before God’s and others.

“[Love] is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]” (verse 5).

How often we are easily provoked, overly sensitive, and too quick to get upset. I confess, I still have work to do. How about you.

I’m a tender heart, so I tend to be overly sensitive. Things that would not bother. Some people, bother me. But I’ve learned that to be bothered means self is still there, alive and well.

“[Love] does not take into account a wrong endured” (verse 5).

Unforgiveness is taking into account a wrong one has suffered. It is holding that against the person. Love does not do that. Love forgives. Forgiveness means not holding it against them any longer.

“[Love] does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]” (verse 6).

Love does not rejoice when Injustice prevails. This especially applies to those that are immigrants, strangers, and those we disagree with. Injustice is not limited to what affects us, but it includes what affects others. Especially the marginalized.

“Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]” (verse 7).

Love looks for the best in each person. It doesn’t ignore the negative, but it looks for the positive. And tries to bring out the best in every person. Because there is, a potentiality in everyone for good.

Love bears all things regardless of what comes. He remains steadfast during difficult times. And it endures difficulties without weakening. Love never fails