Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Question of Standards (answered with gifs)

What is a standard anyway? What does that even mean? Why do they matter?


(I'm not sure I understand the answer to this question completely. I suppose that's why I'm writing this post. Jotting down my thoughts is usually helpful for gaining insight, with God's help. Follow them, if you can...)

Well, for starters...


What can we know for sure about standards?

1) The definition of "standards." Merriam Webster's dictionary definies it as thus:
  1. Ideas about morally correct and acceptable behavior. 
  2. Something that is very good and that is used to make judgments about the quality of other things.
2) The origin of the word "standard:"

Middle English, from Anglo-French estandard banner, standard, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English standan to stand and probably to Old High German hart hard.

3) And finally, that, as Christians, we're called to a "higher" standard than the world. Ideally, a standard as high as Christ's.

And this is where everyone takes off in their own airplane.


"Huh? Why are we flying airplanes?"

Every Christian will derive their own opinions and values based on their own feelings and the Bible concerning the grey areas in our modern society, and make those beliefs their "standard" in those areas. And then take off with them. Each in their own personal "belief plane."
Because, of course, there's no way every single Christian can agree 100% on what is right and what is wrong in this day and age filled with so many grey areas that God never directly addressed in the Bible. Like, you'll never find "Thou shalt not watch Twilight" anywhere in the Bible -- unfortunately. ;)


We instead must learn what the Bible teaches, and then apply those key teachings to the particular circumstances we find ourselves facing.

However, in the midst of these varying beliefs, we can not judge.


Convictions are different for different people. Heck, me saying "heck" might bother someone because they could say it's kind of a curse word. But I'm not bothered by it, because it really isn't a cuss word.

While one person could be bothered by movies with violence in them, and thus say don't watch them because it's people harming/killing each other, another could say those movies are fine because it's all fake, and that it doesn't bother them.


The list of examples could go on and on, but I think you get what I'm saying, and I know you've experienced the collision of standards at some point in your life. It's not pleasant, to be sure. But really, it's just a part of being a Christian. There's really nothing we can do about it, but to love people and not judge them for their differing convictions.


(This doesn't mean you can't confront them about it, if you believe it is actually wrong, and you're in a position to do this. This still must be done very carefully and with love.)

In conclusion...

A standard is basically our thoughts about moral actions which we "stand hard" in. And if that is so, let us all be sure to stand very hard in them. Don't let the world pull you away from what you know to be true.


Psalm 19:14 --

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Titus 2:11-12 --

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age..."

Jeremiah 17:9 --

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

P.S. Hope you liked the GIFs. ;)

14 comments:

  1. lol LOVE the gifs!

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  2. oh my I TOTES LOL at the last GIF! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

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  3. I just discovered your blog and I am having fun exploring it!!...I really agree with your opinion and perspective on "standards" ...very true.. love your Cosplay costume creation it is so lovely. Hope you have a wonderful afternoon.

    Blessings,
    Laura

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    1. Oh I'm so glad you stumbled upon my blog and stopped by to say hello. :D I just checked out your own blog (hehe) and it is so lovely! Also followed ya. I'm excited to read more of your posts! And awwh -- why thankyou! I do enjoy making them. ;)

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  4. Okay, I read this, and I can't keep myself from commenting.

    To start off, excellent job! I know it's not easy to put together posts like this, but this was wonderfully thought out! I know people question my family's standards multiple times, yet while I may not agree with their views, it's not my place to contradict them. What we do, we do in love. There is right and wrong, yet "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." For example, if you believed that wearing pants was wrong for a girl, and yet you, in doubt, wore them -- for you, that would be a sin (not that I personally believe that; just an example). If you have a standard, STICK TO IT! There's no point in setting the standards just to break them five minutes or five years later. You're right: Don't let the world pull you from them. We're not promised it'll be easy. People may not like us for our standards. Yet, just rejoice in your trials, and think of how much better it'll be when God calls us home.

    I should stop now. I'm starting to show my soap box. *winks* But thank you so much for this post, Beth!

    By the way, I just want to say that I really like your new header!

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    1. YES! Exactly. Especially watch ya said about different things possibly being sins for different people, and to stick with our standards. Hahah! Oh no, it's all good. I enjoyed hearing your insights in the topic. :) And you are so welcome -- and thank *you* for commenting! :)

      Oh, thank you! I figured it was about time for a change anyway. ;)

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  5. Awesome! (That last gif was the best!) thanks!

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  6. Oh! I just read the perfect chapter for this! Romans 14. You should read it. Its all about not judging others for their beliefs and such.

    Anyhow, I loved what you had to say. I loved the gifs even more. lol. Very good job!

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    1. Ahhh that's exactly what chapter I'll be reading today in my devotions!! How cool is that... :D And hehe -- thankya thankya! ;)

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  7. Very encouraging and well thought out, Beth!!! (clever gifs too ;) And I agree with Faith, Romans 14:4-5 is one of my favorite passages on this topic :)

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    1. ;) Thanks Alissa! Ah yes -- I'm going to be reading that chapter in Romans tonight in my quiet time... I'm looking forward to it. :D

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