YMCA Just do the right thing! Lessons learned: The bible doesn’t believe in situational ethics. Lets study these verses: Deuteronomy 25: 15-16 “You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” Job 27:4 “My lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit” Proverbs 10:9 “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs: 16:8 “Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice”. Question:What’s situational ethics? Answer: My opinion: The ends justify the means or it is too uncomfortable to take a stand and do the right thing? Can anyone give me some examples of situational ethics in their lives lately? Jared? Here are some other examples: • Is it right to keep my mouth shut when I know a neighbor's child is getting into real trouble or that the parents are physically abusive? • How should I decide when it's time to put my parent in a nursing home? • When's the right time to "let go" of my child? • Is it right to be chronically late for meetings or work because I'm busy? Make excuses? • Do I laugh at a sexist or racist joke? • Do I tell lies to my spouse to save us from an argument? • What he/she doesn’t know won’t hurt them? • How ought I to love my spouse in the first year of marriage? In the 60th year? A Times-Mirror survey released a few years ago showed that Americans named ethics, or rather a decline in ethics as one of the most important problems facing the US after crime, health care, and jobs (ethics and drugs were tied for fourth) Most people would like to live an ethical life and to make good ethical decisions. But there are several problems…what are they? • My small effort won’t really make a difference (recycling? Helping the folks from the bus on the side of the road) • People may think badly of me (Jeff is designated driver) • It’s hard to know what the right thing to do is? (Give money to someone in need?) • My pride gets in the way (I know what I should do but it will make me look poor or like a loser-getting out of debt, driving a used car) Can anyone name people in history that showed the ability to overcome these challenges? Mother Teresa, Jesus, etc. OK, now lets look in our homes and marriages? How can I live or help my spouse or child live more like Christ? Barb bought me this great book: Great book called “The Book of Virtues” by William Bennett He notes that virtues are “habits of the heart” we learned through models-the loving parent or aunt, the demanding teacher, the respectful manager, the honest shopkeeper, your spouse. Virtues are the best part of ourselves. Ask yourself, Did I cross a line today that gave up one of these parts? Or was I, at least most of the time, a person who showed integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, compassion or any other virtues taught as a child? It’s our choice. What are ways we can show habits of the heart or virtues to our spouse? Treat your spouse with dignity and respect the way I would him or her to treat me? Did I make my marriage better? (Go beyond you own interests) Encourage your spouse-be their cheerleader Talk to your spouse-they are not mindreaders Listen to their thoughts and concerns-show empathy Be honest with all communication OK, it takes us back to beginning…remember building our houses on rock and not sand? Glen has built entire companies on one core value: Do the right thing. He repeats it over and over If your name was Mike, Jeff or Katie, you heard Glen say two things so much you are sick of them: (1) Stay out of debt (2) Do the right thing. Wasn’t always that way. Growing up it was “ends justify the means”…survival of the fittest, stick it to the “man”. But I was blessed to observe others, including Barb. And I was blessed to build a stronger personal relationship with God. One that allows me to hear that inner voice say: “Now Glen, what do you think the right thing to do is?” Please remember how humans learn? From others. So your ability to do the right thing will be one of the greatest gifts you can give to your spouse, children, friends and loved ones. Phillipians 4:8 says it best: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things” You don’t need books or quite frankly I don’t even need to read the bible anymore to remind me of what decisions to make-just stop and listen to the Holy Spirit. Your choice is simple as Satan or the Holy Spirit.