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Apples of Gold
Radio Script for March 12, 2010
“Here’s a Controversial Word: Morality”
Hello, I’m Doug Apple…with Apples of Gold.
Here’s a controversial word: morality.
It’s controversial because people don’t agree on what is moral and immoral.
Some say shacking up is immoral. Others think that’s fine, but oil drilling is immoral.
I did a search of the word “immoral” on the New York Times opinion page, and the first result said some people think catching and eating fish is immoral.
There was also a story from 2007, when the chairman of the Joint Chiefs was forced to retract his comment that homosexual conduct was immoral. But then some say censorship is immoral.
So if you don’t think “morality” is a loaded word, just bring it up in polite conversation and watch the fur fly. Unless you are at a PETA party, in which case flying fur is immoral.
While you’re at it, go ahead and bring up this question. Can you legislate morality?
What exactly is morality?
I think it is simply right and wrong. What is right is moral, what is wrong is immoral.
And here is something interesting. For some reason it is usually important for us as humans to have the moral high ground. Why is that? Is it a product of evolution or Mother Nature?
Actually I think it’s from being created in the image of God. According to the Bible, God is very interested in right and wrong. And I think that is baked into us as creatures made in His image.
Now if you think morality is a loaded word, try this one on for size: sin.
When we talk about morality, especially from a biblical perspective, we are bound to run into the word sin.
First John 5:17 says, “All wrongdoing is sin…” The King James calls it “unrighteousness.”
So we have good and bad, right and wrong, righteous and unrighteous – these make up morality.
And let’s not forget the word “evil.” Another loaded word, I know. We hardly want to call anything evil these days. Evil sounds like the worst of the worst, and yet the Bible makes it sound like there is good and there is evil.
I love the prayer that Solomon prayed when he first became king of Israel. In First Kings 3:9 he prayed “…give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil…”
Did you catch that? Solomon prayed that he would be able to discern between good and evil. And God was pleased with Solomon’s prayer.
It reminds me of Hebrews 5:14 which talks about learning to distinguish good from evil.
We can’t just take our personal opinions and declare them to be moral. I believe there is a universal dividing line created by God. Good is on one side and evil is on the other – and we need to learn the difference.
How can we do that when so many people disagree?
I believe the answers are in the Bible. I believe that through the proper study of the Word of God we can distinguish between good and evil. And let me add that we Christians have the Holy Spirit guiding us to the truth. The Holy Spirit will help us understand the Bible and help us discern right from wrong.
Why should we even care? We should care because we will reap what we sow. Hosea 8:7 uses this powerful imagery. “They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.”
When we plant a seed of sin, we reap a harvest of evil – pain and sorrow and death.
Romans 6:23 says “…the wages of sin is death…”
James 1:15 says that sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.
So it’s for our own good, and the good of our family and our nation and our world that we choose good and not evil.
Over and over the Bible says things like, “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Amos 5:14 says, “Seek good, not evil, that you may live.”
First Peter 3:11 says “…turn from evil and do good…”
What we do now matters, because it affects our future. It affects everyone’s future.
We will either sow the wind and reap the whirlwind, or we will sow what’s right and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Morality matters. It matters a great deal, and deep down we all know it – even people who want to be immoral. They may behave immorally, but they sure hope their neighbor is moral towards them.
Morality is a sure foundation, something we all need to build on.
We must learn to discern the difference between moral and immoral.
Then we must turn from evil and cling to what’s good – for the sake of everyone.
Comments?
E-mail me: dougapple@wave94.com.
May God bless you today! With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.
© 2010 The Arrow’s Tip
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(Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”)
Why “The Arrow’s Tip”? Each morning, after diligently seeking the Lord, I write Apples of Gold. Then before I release it to the public I pray one final prayer, “Lord, send forth your arrows.” I envision Apples of Gold as arrows, tips dipped in the river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), sailing toward the hearts and minds of men and women around the world.
Doug Apple
General Manager - Wave 94
Christian Radio for Tallahassee
PO Box 4105
Tallahassee, FL 32315
(850) 926-8000
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