In this post, I want to talk about behaviors. However, I don’t really know how to start it off.
I think the main thing here is to understand what a bad behavior is and how it is removed.
How about we start with a scripture? That’s always a good start. These will help explain bad behaviors and what they are.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
– 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
And
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
– Romans 1:29-32
If someone is a thief, then it is considered a bad behavior, yes? If someone is drunk all the time, then it is considered a bad behavior as well, right? Well if that is the case, all of these other things are listed next to those. And it also explains they will have no part in the kingdom of God.
There was an argument about the word “effeminate†being “male prostitution†because of the greek word used. If that is the case, then why are fornicators and adulterers listed separately from this word? These two would hold the same water being part of prostitution. So I will disagree with effeminate being translated incorrectly and let it hold its own as it is, “effeminateâ€. The other thing to consider is it is a behavior as well, listed among the others.
I think at this point the idea of what a bad behavior is has been made. Now obviously, not all behaviors are bad. We are just focusing on the ones which are not good and will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Moving on, here is where we explain how a behavior is removed.
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
– Proverbs 22:15
How does this apply? This is for children. Are we not children of God when we are “born†again? This applies to everyone who is a child of God, most definitely. Basically it is the act of discipline. When we train our children, we have to discipline them. If they act foolish, then the rod of correction puts them back in the correct direction.
How does this apply to us? Well, we are children of God. God is a spirit and he disciplines our spirit. From this, we understand he trains the us to go in the direction he wants us to go. If we continue to not obey, then he keeps on using his rod of correction.
How do we know what we are supposed to do? Well, that part is easy, we just need to exercise our spirit. We need to not only listen to God but do what he tells us to do.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
– James 1:22
Godliness is spiritual exercise. How do we do that? By doing the word of God. This Grab Bag has a little info about Godliness.
I really feel like I skimmed the surface of this, I would like some questions to continue this topic and maybe do another post about this.
So if you have questions about this? Leave them in the comments or send me an email. Want me to write a post about something? Send me an email. You can also send me an email about anything else if you like.
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