In the Dark of the Midnight II

I don't know anyone that as a child when asked 'what do you want to be when you grow up' replied, I want to be a drug addict, or an alcoholic, or any one of like professions. So, what happens?

Is it a lack of dreams, desires, or goals? Or could it be lack of moral teachings, or lack of moral convictions?Because passing a law of the land doesn't do away with bad choices.

In spite of what some theories tell us, it isn't right to lie, steal, cheat, or murder. Those choices should be no-brainers, but all choices aren't as easy.

How about buying a house, car, or expensive item on credit? At one time the saying (I'm sure it's by Benjamin Franklin) 'Neither a borrower nor lender be' was a law of moral people.

Proverbs 22:26 "Be thou not one of them that strike hands, Or of them that are sureties for debts. 27) If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?"

But we buy lots of things on credit in our current society and think nothing of it. Indeed, we must have good credit, and that is the only way to acquire it.

But in our current society we must be careful and not over-extend our bills and get in financial troubles.

1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

This is a source of sorrow for sure. How many have tried living like they were wealthy only to find that not only could they not maintain that lifestyle, but it kept them poor?

A study was done a number of years ago that dealt with young children and instant gratification. They sat a young child on a chair by a table and placed a treat (cookie, cupcake, whatnot) on the table beside them. The instructions were that the child would need to wait ten minutes before they could have the treat, and they would be told when that was.

The adult went out and watched the child through a two way mirror. The children who had the self restraint to wait were deemed to be the ones who were successful in life.

There are many characteristics that are necessary to be an honest person. It isn't a matter of passing a law in the government, it's a heart issue in people.

Mark 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22) covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: 23) all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man."

Psalms 51:9 "Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities. 10) Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me."