December 2014

Ta da!!! The final month of the Roman new year!  May each of our lives be richer and fuller for spending time in our Father's Word.

Talebearer

Proverbs 11:13 - A talebearer (H1980 H7400) revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Who or what is a talebearer?

H1980 - Akin to H3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively).

H7400 - From H7402; a scandal monger (as travelling about).

• H7402 - A primitive root; to travel for trading.

The word 'talebearer' is used 6x, all in the OT, mostly in Proverbs:

Pro 18:8 The words of a talebearer (H5372) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Pro 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer (H7400) revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Pro 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer,(H5372) the strife ceaseth.

Pro 26:22 The words of a talebearer (H5372) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Lev 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer (H7400) among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

H5372 - From an unused root meaning to roll to pieces; a slanderer.

H7400 - Is used 6x, 3 of the verses above and as slanders in Jeremiah 6:28 and 9:4, and carry tales in Eze 22:9. 

H5372 - Is used 4x - in the verses above.

Characteristics of a talebearer (or gossip):

Reveals secrets - can you keep a secret or confidence?
Wounding words - do your words wound?
Flatterer - do you 'put on airs' or 'pretend to like someone'?
Strife enducer a/k/a as Pot Stirrer - do you like it when everyone's in an uproar?

The NT has a few verses:

Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (G5588).

Rom 1:30  Backbiters (G2637), haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

2Co 12:20  For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings (G2636), whisperings (G5587), swellings, tumults:

G5588 - From the same as G5587; a secret calumniator (say what? Definition: to make false and malicious statements about; slander.).

G5587 - From a derivative of ψίθος psithos (a whisper; by implication a slander; probably akin to G5574); whispering, that is, secret detraction.

G2636 - From G2637; defamation.

G2637 - From G2596 and the base of G2980; talkative against, that is, a slanderer.

I found this article Gossip and Christian Scripture an interesting read.  We need to be circumspect in our conversations, especially if we are 'sharing' information about someone else; however, honest and open communication and dealing with, or exposing problems shouldn't be label as gossip.

This snippet intrigued me:

"Here is a real-life example of gossip. A Christian woman who was an intercessor would often look at me intently while I was teaching and/or praying. A gossip we will call Charlotte started telling people that we were having a secret affair, and if they peaked during prayer they would see that this woman was making eyes at me. I started hearing all sorts of reports from those Charlotte was calling to "let know what was really going on". Further, Charlotte also came to believe I was madly in love with her as well, and told several people that I was following her home at night (as well as other pastors in the area: all milling around her house I suppose). Charlotte was the real deal: a biblical gossip. She seemed to get a perverted enjoyment from telling slanderous tales obviously detached from the truth. After repeated rebukes and Charlotte's continued rejection of our encouragement to repent and receive prayer and dedicate herself to the truth, we had to dissfellowship her. Perhaps she is in your church now? Just wait till you hear her stories; for it will take only a modicum of discernment or common-sense to know that what she is doing is a grievous sin."

I had a similar situation, I strive to 'give no appearance of evil' in my interactions with men.  Many, many, many years ago, I had sought counsel from an elder in that church.  I did so openly, in the sanctuary, in front of (I thought) God and everyone else.  I did this more than once.  Someone went to the man's wife and caused her to think I was chasing her husband.
Had the person who 'thought' that come to me, we could have resolved the issue, I would have taken more care of how and when I was speaking to the elder and the man's wife wouldn't have been distressed.

So...Before you make a 'call' on someone, check to ensure you have your facts correct.  Don't make the mistake of thinking how you feel, view, see, a situation or based on your life experiences or previous history necessarily makes all situations the same.

If you believe, think, know someone may be out of bounds or engaging in behavior which is not glorifying to God, go and talk to them.  Don't talk behind their back or carry tales.

Thanksgiving

With the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, this word 'jumped' out at me as I was reading through 1 Timothy.  A quick search in the New Testament for the word Thanksgiving netted:

2Co_4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2Co_9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Php_4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Col_2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Col_4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1Ti_4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1Ti_4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Rev_7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

I'm sort of amazed I missed the word in 2 Corinthians, Philippians, and Colossians.  I still marvel at having read through the Bible numerous times, I still have new 'discoveries'.  He's always revealing 'new' stuff, opening my eyes to see Him in a deeper, richer way.

So...are all these thanksgivings the same?

G2169 - From G2170; gratitude; actually grateful language (to God, as an act of worship).

• From G2095 and a derivative of G5483; well favored, that is, (by implication) grateful.
• G2095 - Neuter of a primary word εὖς eus (good); (adverbially) well.
• G5483 - Middle voice from G5485; to grant as a favor, that is, gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue.
• G5485 - From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude).
• G5463 - A primary verb; to be full of “cheer”, that is, calmly happy or well off; impersonal especially as a salutation (on meeting or parting), be well.

So...is it used anywhere else?

1 Corinthians 14:16, Ephesians 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:1, Revelation 4:9 - translated thanks.

So...what about the OT?

The word 'thanksgiving is used 20x in 17 verses.

H8426 -Used 32x in 30 verses - From H3034; properly an extension of the hand, that is, (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically a choir of worshippers.

H3034 -A primitive root; used only as denominative from H3027; literally to use (that is, hold out) the hand; physically to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively to bemoan (by wringing the hands).

H1960 -From the same as H1959; properly an acclaim, that is, a choir of singers.

A choir of singers.  Voices raised in praise to the gracious, life giving God.  The one who provides the basics (and then some) of our existence.  Have you stopped to thank HIM for what you do have?  Rather than focusing on what we don't have (or want).  Can we see?  Hear?  Smell?  Walk?  Talk? Work?  Play?  Smile?  Frown?  Have running water?  A roof?  Big toes to ensure we can balance and walk?  Hands to hold (or wring?)

Gracious and merciful God, help us Your people to truly raise our voices and hearts in praise to You, not just during this 'season' of thanksgiving, but daily, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second.

Help us Lord to rejoice in the blessings of goodness, the times where things are not 'going our way', to thank You for all of Your provision, tests, guidance, love and mercy.  May our hearts sing out in praise, glory and honor to You.

Repentance

I'd done a study on this passage a l-o-n-g time ago, specifically because I had someone who kept telling me they were 'sorry' - which I accepted, for a while.

When someone 'apologizes', yet there's no change, what do you do?  How far do you 'turn the other cheek'?  How do you balance healthy boundaries against forgiving your brother (not an unbeliever) 7 x 70?

When we say we're sorry, do we change how or what we're doing which caused the offense?  Do we care?  Should we change what we're doing if someone tells us their offended?  How valid are declarations of 'love' if there isn't any change in behavior?

Is there a point where you can't 'make it right', so you quit trying?  What does it 'look' like when there is genuine repentance?  What did Paul see in the Corinthians?

2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

I find it interesting there are 8 key words - 8 = new beginnings.  Paul saw 'true' repentance.  Not the 'I'm sorry' - I was caught, it's the 'right' thing to say, etc.

1. Sorrowed
2. Carefulness
3. Clearing
4. Indignation
5. Fear
6. Vehement Desire
7. Zeal
8. Revenge

Sorrowed - G3076 - From G3077; to distress; reflexively or passively to be sad.

• G3077 - Apparently a primary word; sadness.

Carefulness - G4610 - From G4692; “speed”, that is, (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness.

• G4692 - Probably strengthened from G4228; to “speed” (“study”), that is, urge on (diligently or earnestly); by implication to await eagerly.

Clearing - G627 - From the same as G626; a plea (“apology”).

• G626 - Middle voice from a compound of G575 and G3056; to give an account (legal plea) of oneself, that is, exculpate (self).

Indignation - G24 From G23; indignation.

• G23 - From ἄγαν agan (much) and ἄχθος achhos̄ (grief; akin to the base of G43); to be greatly afflicted, that is, (figuratively) indignant.

Fear - G5401 - From a primary φέβομαι phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright.

Vehement Desire - G1972 - From G1971; a longing for.

• G1971 - From G1909 and ποθέω potheō (to yearn); to dote upon, that is, intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully).

Zeal - G2205 - From G2204; properly heat, that is, (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice).

• G2204 - A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest).

Revenge - G1557 - From G1556; vindication, retribution.

• G1556 - From G1558; to vindicate, retaliate, punish.
• G1558 - From G1537 and G1349; carrying justice out, that is, a punisher.

What about when we sin against God?  Do we display true repentance to Him?  Do we remember we reap what we sow and God is not mocked?  Have we examined ourselves to see if we need to repent to God, or someone else?

If someone has offended us, have we gone to them as instructed by the Word?  Followed Biblical conflict resolution?  (Matthew 18).  May the Lord grant each of us a sincere desire to seek repentance and reconciliation.

Rom_12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

This is similar to a chart I made, I visualized the 'steps', hence the words and definitions start at the bottom.  There are 8 steps - new beginnings.  May the Lord bless each of us with 'new beginnings' as we seek to have god honoring relationships.

Silence is...

...golden.

Unless you're a mom, then it's nerve racking.

It can turn a woman into super mom, able to leap 3 foot high baskets of laundry in a single bound, run faster than a toddler, and stop children from toppling off inventive 'ladders'.



Silence is good:

Jas 1:19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Psa 4:4  Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 

Psa_46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Lam 3:26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

1Pe 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Pro 13:3  He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Amo 5:13  Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

Ecc 3:7  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

However, there is a silence which is NOT good.

Specifically when used as a weapon.  A weapon?  Immature relating techniques, yes, but weapon?  No it hadn't crossed my mind, until providentially (there are NO coincidences with God), I read this article:

Is Giving Someone the Silent Treatment Really Like Witchcraft?  

"Did you know the silent treatment (which is the stubborn refusal to talk to someone, especially after a recent argument or disagreement) is a form of witchcraft? Witchcraft is sometimes a spiritual force, but it's also a work of the flesh listed in Galatians."

"It's all about the motive. If you are letting things cool off, fine. But if you are seeking to punish someone or teach them a lesson with your silence, you're not operating from a godly motive."

Passive Aggressive - Narcissist - some interesting words.

The Narcissist's Silent Treatment

What Married Couples Should Know About the Silent Treatment

Define Passive Aggressive Behaviour - Examples in Marriage and Relationships

Silent Treatment: Preferred Weapon of a Person with Narcissism

From the article above:  "The silent treatment is a form of emotional abuse designed to (1) place the abuser in a position of control; (2) silence the target’s attempts at assertion; (3) avoid conflict resolution/personal responsibility/compromise; or (4) punish the target for a slight against the narcissistic person’s ego. Often, the result of the silent treatment is exactly what the narcissistic person wishes to create: a reaction from the target and a sense of control.

The target, who may possess high emotional intelligence, empathy, conflict-resolution skills, and the ability to compromise, may work diligently to respond to the deafening silence. He or she may frequently reach out to the narcissistic person via email, phone, or text to resolve the greatly inflated misunderstanding, and is typically met with continued disdain, contempt, and silence. Essentially, the narcissistic person’s message is one of extreme disapproval to the degree that the silence renders the target so insignificant that he or she is ignored and becomes nonexistent in the eyes of the narcissistic person."

So how well are we relating to one another?  Be angry and sin not?  Let not the sun go down on your wrath?  One article (I can't remember which one) said we all engage in passive-aggressive behavior from time to time.  The real question, how often/frequently?  Does it define your relating style?

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:19-26

Words + NO action = LIES

We all have, from time to time, (hopefully not intentionally) said we'd do something, be somewhere, perform some task and didn't follow through.

However, if this is a standard, it may be passive-aggressive behavior. Say what?

You know someone (or yourself) says one thing, but then doesn't follow through - because of the inability to say NO, or to express negative feelings (dislike, anger, resentment).

So are you, or someone you know, engaging in passive-aggressive behavior?

Below are some identifying behaviors from a variety of sites. We're all works in progress, specifically as the Lord transforms us from the inside out. Ultimately we all need to remember:

We are responsible for everything in our lives. Once we are confronted about our behavior (either through the Word of God, a fellow saint, a talking donkey) we need to make a choice to prayerfully change our behavior.

Passive Aggressive Behavior

1. Fear of intimacy due to lack of trust.
2. Playing the victim - rather than recognizing weakness, a person who is exhibiting passive aggressive behavior may blame others for their own failures.
3. Creating excuses in the workplace for being under-productive while working in a team.
4. Forgetfulness - in a means to win an argument, a passive aggressive individual will consistently "conveniently forget" or deny the actual events.
5. Withdrawing from people by using the "cold shoulder" to avoid confrontation or connections with others.
6. Being ambiguous in speech and actions - this creates a feeling of insecurity for others while disguising their own insecurities.
7. Creating chaos.
8. Punishing others by being intentionally inefficient - such as being late or forgetting important things.
9. Sulking when he or she does not get their way.
10. Fear of becoming dependent upon another.
11. Giving the "cold shoulder" during an argument - often the silent treatment is given in order to avoid conflicts or win an argument.
12. Fear of competition.
13. Creating excuses for poor performances and inability to follow through on tasks.
14. Using obstructionism as a means to delay or prevent a process or change.

From Dr. Phil: A few tips for dealing with a passive-aggressive:

Don't feel guilty.  Remember that you're not to blame for someone else's passive-aggressive behavior.

Refuse to play their game.  Because a passive-aggressive personality doesn't know how to respond appropriately to conflict, he or she will most likely deny everything. It's important to express your concerns and anger, but stick to the facts at hand and how his or her actions make you feel.

Confront their dishonesty.  Not confronting the passive-aggressive behavior will only reinforce it. Confront the person immediately and let him or her know you are confused by the behavior. If they value the relationship, he or she has to stop the behavior.

Don't let them get away with bad behavior.  Instead of letting the person off the hook and allowing him or her to continue the behavior, try to create an atmosphere in which he or she might feel more comfortable sharing feelings of anger, resentment, fear, etc.

8 Examples of Passive Aggressive Behavior:

1. Resenting the demands of others
2. Deliberate procrastination
3. Intentional mistakes
4. Hostile attitude
5. Complaints of injustice and lack of appreciation
6. Disguising criticism with compliments
7. The last punch
8. The silent treatment

Confronting Passive Aggressive Behavior

Procrastination
Behaving beneath customary standards
Pretending not to see, hear, remember, or understand requests
The silent treatment
Sulking & withdrawal
Gossiping

I liked this article and it's encouragement on how to deal or cope more effectively: How to Spot and Deal With Passive-Aggressive People

1. Don’t Overreact. Reduce Personalization and Misunderstanding.
2. Keep Your Distance Whenever Possible.
3. Don’t Try to Change Them.
4. Don’t Get Sucked In. Avoid Tit for Tat.
5. In Relatively Mild Situations, Display Superior Composure Through Appropriate Humor.
6. In Serious Situations, Proactively Deal with the Problem Early On and Formalize Your Communication.
7. Give the Passive-Aggressive a Chance to Help Solve the Problem, If Appropriate.
8. Set Consequences to Lower Resistance and Compel Cooperation.

Being a Christian doesn't mean you allow people to walk all over you. Boundaries in relationships are good. Communication takes more than one person. Prayer, as well as forgiveness is crucial.

Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

May the Lord help each of us to grow in His grace and mercy, extending where necessary, recognizing and relinquishing our 'rights' while still maintaining healthy relationships. Cover all in prayer.

Puffed Up

Every time I hear or read 'puffed up' I think of cheese puffs.

Nutritional value?  Corn meal and water, made into a paste and steamed.  Full of air.  Almost like cotton candy. Put it in your mouth and it literally melts into nothingness, well almost nothingness.  Makes me think of one dimension, a flat line: ____________.  It has no substance.

So what or why or how did I end up with this thought?

1Co_4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

1Co_4:18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

1Co_4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

1Co_5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

1Co_13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Searching for just the word puffed up revealed the above verses, which were part of my recent daily readings, as well as this one:

Col_2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Puffed up - G5448 - From G5449 in the primary sense of blowing; to inflate, that is, (figuratively) make proud (haughty).

• G5449 - From G5453; growth (by germination or expansion), that is, (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension a genus or sort; figuratively native disposition, constitution or usage.
• G5453 - A primary verb; probably originally to “puff” or blow, that is, to swell up; but only used in the implied sense, to germinate or grow (sprout, produce), literally or figuratively.

One more verse which uses G5448:

1Co 8:1  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

So what 'cheese puffs' are we entertaining in our lives?  Valuing ourselves above others?  Our 'knowledge' or 'wisdom' as being 'better'?  A holier than thou attitude?

Charity - G26 - From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast.

• G25 - Perhaps from ἄγαν agan (much; or compare [H5689]); to love (in a social or moral sense).

CHARITY

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Evil Communications

As if I needed more conviction:

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

My granny used to say, birds of a feather flock together.  I didn't like it when she said it...it meant I was doing something, or hanging around someone who wasn't quite up to 'snuff'.

Let's 'tear' this apart shall we?

Be not - G3361 - A primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverbially) not, (conjugationally) lest; also (as interrogitive implying a negative answer [whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one]); whether.

Used 750 times - get that - 750 times in 673 verses - that's JUST the New Testament, with only 27 books.  The first usage is in Matthew, where Joseph is a just man and did NOT put Mary aside.

And two recently used verses (are you trying to tell me something God?):

Mat 5:29  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Mat 5:30  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Last usage:  Rev 22:10  And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Deceived - G4105 - From G4106; to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue).

• G4106 - Feminine of G4108 (as abstraction); objectively fraudulence; subjectively a straying from orthodoxy or piety.

G4105 Used 39 times in 37 verses.

Evil - G2556 - Apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically such; whereas G4190 properly refers to effects), that is, (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious.

Used 51 times in 46 verses.

Communication - G3657 - From G3658; companionship (“homily”), that is, (by implication) intercourse.

• G3658 - From the base of G3674 and a derivative of the alternate of G138 (meaning a crowd); association together, that is, a multitude.

Used 1 time.  One time! G3657 is used only once!

Corrupt - G5351 - From the base of G3674 and a derivative of the alternate of G138 (meaning a crowd); association together, that is, a multitude.

Used 8 times in 7 verses - besides 1 Cor 15:33, here are a few more:

1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Good - G5543 - From G5530; employed, that is, (by implication) useful (in manner or morals).

• G5530 - Middle voice of a primary verb (perhaps rather from G5495, to handle); to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, “graze” [touch slightly], light upon, etc.), that is, (by implication) to employ or (by extension) to act towards one in a given manner.

G5543 used 7 times in 7 verses.

Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Manners - G2239 - A strengthened form of G1485; usage, that is, (plural) moral habits.

Used 1 time in 1 verse.

*sigh*

Did you make it this far?  I've a bit more to share, this is from Gill's commentary on the verse:

Be not deceived,.... By such as deny the doctrine of the resurrection, and by their reasonings about it; or by such libertines who go into the denial of it, and argue from thence in favour of their licentious course of life: 

evil communications corrupt good manners. This is a sentence taken out of Menander, an Heathen poet, showing how dangerous is the conversation of evil men, and what an influence bad principles communicated and imbibed, have on the lives and practices of men. This the apostle cites not out of ostentation, or to show his reading, learning, and acquaintance with such sort of writers; but partly to observe, that this was a truth obvious by the light of nature, and partly because such a testimony might be more regarded by the Corinthians, who might be fond of such authors, and what was said by them; just as when he was at Athens among the philosophers there, he cites a passage out of Aratus, Act_17:28 as he does another out of Epimenides concerning the Cretians, Tit_1:12.

As I'm reflecting on my post, Paying Prostitutes, those who produce movies, shows, books, music which has immoral behavior, or glorifies it, promotes it as 'normal'.  Ever watch a movie with homosexual inuendos or characters and just 'gloss' over it?

Or read a story where the characters are engaging in behavior contrary to what the Word says?

Or listen to music, has a great beat, but the words are not causing you to think of the Lord and glorifies something other than Him or His standards?

It is indeed hard to travel through this world and not partake or be conformed by it.  We need to remember we are warriors, sojourners passing through a land which hates us, despises our Lord and Savior, wants to 'pull us in' to make what they do seem not so bad.  Or at least more palatable.

O' God, gracious and merciful, I have sinned against you.  I have desired to feed my flesh, to be 'entertained' by materials which mock you, if not outright, in subtle shades of rebellion.  I have turned a blind eye to words or actions contained in the world's offerings, excusing the behavior, or my own in condoning by partaking.  Forgive me I ask, forgive all of us, Your people, purchased by the shed blood of Your only son on the cross.

Beaten, mocked, scourged, to pay for our sin, to redeem us from the wickedness of this world.  Help us Lord to be set apart vessels for Your use, to love You with all our heart, mind, soul and body.