The standard dictionary definition of moral fiber is "strength of character, firmness of purpose, resolution or toughness of spirit."
I think what surprises me most in how people, even Christians compromise themselves on a daily basis. Now before you turn off this post and think, "oh no, here goes another hypocrite" - wait! I want to explain something to you: Lance, Gary and myself sin every day. None of us can sit here and tell you the success of our lives and that would be it, because for us to do that, then we would have to times that by a multiplicity of some factor for all the wrongs we do on a daily basis (ask our wives).
Before I sit there and pontificate on delicate matters let's agree to disagree here and still be friends. I mean we can agree that we have different values and ethics and belief structures, but if we are real about our faith and trust in God then we can say no "one person" on earth can encapsulate God's moral fiber. That would require to keep God's moral law (the 10 commandments) that were before Jesus's sacrifice on the cross for all of our sins. Before this hope, we had to abide and live by God's moral law. In James 2:10 we read that if we break just one of God's commandments, then we are guilty of them all.
So let's put this in perspective, let's again agree on the fact that God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit (all three in one are the Triune God). That being said, then he gave us his Holy Word (the Bible). Presupposing that we can use that for reference to God's precepts and values, then let's take a look at some things that may make us guilty:
- Anger
- Sexual Immorality (pornography, lust, tv shows that compromise, cable, internet, and fill in your "blank"
- Impurity
- Sensuality
- Idolatry, Sorcery
- Enmity, Strife, Jealousy and Fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy
- drunkenness, orgies and the like
Some Scripture on Moral Fiber:Matthew 15:18–20 (ESV) But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does ...
Job 2:3 (ESV) And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” ..Proverbs 17:3 (ESV) The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.
Romans 5:3–4 (ESV) Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
1 Chronicles 29:17 (ESV) I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you
So what can we do about it?
Get serious, don't compromise and read his word daily and pray continually - see what you here? Here what you read and listen!
Blessings,
Dante