Human Imperfection, Teboho Kibe [read a book .txt] 📗

became enmeshed in angry dispute, what did Abraham and Lot do? “Abram said to Lot: ‘Please, do not let any quarreling continue between me and you and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we men are brothers.’” They separated but remained on good terms, as “brothers.” (Gen. 13:5-12) Well, are not Christians spiritual brothers? Yes, of course. Then they too should resolve difficulties, not in a spirit of anger, but with self-control. How unchristian it would be to act otherwise!

Perhaps you recall two fleshly brothers, sons of Jacob, who forfeited a better blessing because they were violent men, given to wrath. Regarding them Jacob said in his deathbed blessing of his sons: “Simeon and Levi are brothers. Instruments of violence are their slaughter weapons. Into their intimate group do not come, O my soul. . . . Cursed be their anger, because it is cruel, and their fury, because it acts harshly. Let me give them a portion in Jacob, but let me scatter them in Israel.” (Gen. 49:5-7) These violent sons of Jacob acted harshly and with anger. They lacked self-control, whereas Abraham and Lot possessed it. Certainly Christians should avoid the course of Simeon and Levi and should imitate that of Abraham and Lot.

Unrestrained temper damages relationships with others and it shows that one is not wise. “All his spirit is what a stupid one lets out,” says Proverbs 29:11, “but he that is wise keeps it calm to the last.” Aptly, the Congregator of old declared: “Better is one who is patient than one who is haughty in spirit. Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones.” (Eccl. 7:8, 9) Wisdom is not displayed by one who is egotistical. And “he that is quick to anger will commit foolishness.” (Prov. 14:17) So, do not quickly take offense. Rise above petty annoyances. “Do not say: ‘I will pay back evil!’ Hope in Jehovah, and he will save you.” (Prov. 20:22) Seek ways to turn aside the anger of others, remembering that “an answer, when mild, turns away rage, but a word causing pain makes anger to come up.” (Prov. 15:1) Even if others cause offense, act quickly to rectify matters. Heed Paul’s words: “Be wrathful, and yet do not sin; let the sun not set with you in a provoked state.”—Eph. 4:26; Matt. 5:23, 24.

A true friend of God cannot afford to lose self-control and fly into a rage, showing hatred instead of love, nor should they harbor such enmity. (Prov. 26:24-26) If they did so, they would be in darkness. The apostle John wrote: “He that loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in his case. But he that hates his brother is in the darkness and is walking in the darkness, and he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:9-11) Regardless of where you are or the nature of prevailing circumstances, maintain self-control. In the home, for example, do not be a harsh husband, a nagging wife or a pouting, ill-tempered child. (Col. 3:18-20) Uncontrolled tempers lead to rage and regret. But those who are kind, not harsh, considerate, not critical, and mild-tempered rather than ill-tempered will have heavenly approval in these respects.

Naturally, to control your temper you have to control your tongue. James wrote: “Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. It is not proper, my brothers, for these things to go on occurring this way. A fountain does not cause the sweet and the bitter to bubble out of the same opening, does it? My brothers, a fig tree cannot produce olives or a vine figs, can it? Neither can salt water produce sweet water.” (Jas. 3:10-12) Yes, James was discussing the tongue, and the powerful point he made is plain. Christians must surely restrain the tongue.

Obscene speech, gossip and slander have no place in the Christian’s life. “Let a rotten saying not proceed out of your mouth,” Paul told the Ephesians, “but whatever saying is good for building as the need may be, that it may impart what is favorable to the hearers. . . . Let all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech be taken away from you along with all injuriousness.” (Eph. 4:29-31) Shun unclean speech. And watch what you say about others. (Ps. 15:1-3) Do not spread or even listen to gossip. As stories are repeated, they are often embellished. Gossip may thus develop into slander, concerning which the Israelites were told: “You must not go around among your people for the sake of slandering.” (Lev. 19:16) Heed those words. In this and in other ways control your tongue.

But if you are to shun gossip, slander and obscene speech, you must control your thoughts. So, if what is improper or unclean comes into mind, exercise restraint. Bring to mind and meditate on things that are righteous, chaste, lovable, well spoken of, virtuous and praiseworthy. (Phil. 4:8, 9) Pray to Jehovah for greater self-control. This means to avoid materialistic thinking and worry too. After all, Jesus said that “even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) So why be anxious? Jehovah knows your needs in the way of food, drink and clothing. Christ wisely declared: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:25-34) What good advice! Follow it, exercising self-control, and you will be happy indeed.

DISPLAY SELF-CONTROL IN EATING, DRINKING AND RECREATION

While we should not be unduly concerned about acquiring food or drink, once we have it we should display self-control. Proverbs 23:20, 21 warns: “Do not come to be among heavy drinkers of wine, among those who are gluttonous eaters of flesh. For a drunkard and a glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe one with mere rags.” Of course, one’s eating may not quite reach the point of outright gluttony. But overeating can mean a lethargic, unfruitful ministry and drowsiness at Christian meetings or at workplace. Therefore, exercise self-control in eating. And by all means avoid drunkenness. It degrades a person. Furthermore, if a the one professing to be a true Christian became inebriated, this might stumble others and bring reproach upon believers or true adherents of God’s ways. Drunkenness can easily ruin one’s life entirely, for a habitual and unrepentant drunkard must be disfellowshiped from the Christian congregation. He surely pays for his lack of self-control!—1 Cor. 6:9, 10.

Even when he relaxes, a true friend of God cannot forget self-control if he is to please God. When enjoying recreation, he must be moderate. Sports, for example, must be kept in a proper place. “Bodily training is beneficial for a little,” wrote Paul; “but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8) In seeking recreation, the true Christian will not yield to imperfect inclinations of the fallen flesh, but will select types of entertainment or amusement that will have an upbuilding effect upon him. However, he will also use good judgment in not keeping late hours, which may injure his health and reduce his effectiveness in the ministry. So, off to bed he will go early Saturday night, for instance, so that he will be fresh and alert for ministerial activity on Sunday morning. Why dissipate energies foolishly in the pursuit of recreation, only to defeat its very purpose through a lack of self-control? Act wisely. Be moderate, exercising self-control in this aspect of life too.

It is apparent, then, that, like the exquisite natural pearl, self-control is neither gained nor developed further without earnest effort. But it is worth all the work you put into gaining and manifesting it. Just consider its value and importance. By developing and displaying self-control in these last days, you will please Jehovah. And, by remaining faithful to him, we will be the happy recipients of his blessing now and in his promised new order.

Okay friend, let’s veer now. I come to have these questions as we go along in our book: Why are we humans so highly conscious as to what is wrong or faulty and less likely to be caffeined at what is spotless or simply good and chaste? Why do we see a tiny dot in a white page and not primarily see the vast whiteness of the page or paper? If you were asked to describe yourself, why would you want people to know your good side and your bad side? Why can’t it be natural for us to express ourselves without being apologetic of anything, as if it is binding for the ‘unseen’ or ‘unknown’ mischief also to come to the fore? When you introduce yourself to someone, do you also make sure that they see your rear view, or you are just content with them having seen just your face and upper half of your body? If we natural introduce our physical structure in this limited and sufficing way, then why do we do the opposite in our character, personality? Is it enough just to know the good side of you without knowing the downside of you? You see friend, that’s what makes this book highly interesting, talking real human imperfection, from corner to corner, whim to whim and meditation to meditation.

We as humans lack the grasp of perfection. God uses perfect scales so as to manoeuvre his actions and dealings and he constantly acts within those righteous and precise standards. Our minds function on imperfect scales and perceptions, making it difficult to naturally dwell on what is altogether wholesome, not deliberately, but inadvertently. So, it’s our natural chronic disease of perception. Training these can only enhance our sense of well being and acceptance to God, but cannot fully blot out the natural impairment. Hence God has ‘reasonable’ or ‘soundly attuned grounds’ on which to judge us, not primarily on the native mind’s woeful delegation, but on what was ‘in our control’ and thereby obstinately misdirected. The biggest sin or misdemeanour in this regard is a lack of faith in God. Cause we are judged ‘righteous’ primarily by means of faith in God and Jesus, and not necessarily through works, as some hermits and recluses may profess or have tried to achieve such ends. So, it is within the power, comprehension, will, capability and reach of an imperfect man to have, manifest and exhibit faith as a sole or primary requisite for divine favour and acceptance, unless of course of any serious mental retardation or impairment which others have borne in different ways, wherein the concept of faith cannot be contained by such individual as a biological or chemical deformity etc., as we’ve shown in the early pages of this book. I know that some may argue that it is impossible or very hard to separate faith from works, as faith must be exhibited or demonstrated via works. True.

But think of an evildoer that was nailed next to Jesus and tell me if he gained the resurrection hope via faith or works. So, what exactly did he exhibit, faith or works? So, this is what I mean by saying that God has ‘adjusted’ scales on which to accept us, and the demonstration of faith on our part is what he yearns for, not belittling or undermining the importance of works too that are also sought after on those professing to love God. If I don’t give you scriptures to back up my statements, please pardon me as I sometimes feel that these are too many at times. But as for the issue of faith and works that you can find in Romans 4:13-14 and James 2:26. Sorry if these verses seem to clash as many observers seem to conclude that Paul’s description of faith or approval by God differs