I read a quote which has stayed with me for several days, and though it was written about our nation in general.  The truth of the quote is just as important for individuals.  After all, individuals are what makes a nation, states, families, congregations and communities. The truths are undeniable.

“When there is a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned.”

“Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”   (Proverbs 14:34)

“Where there is no vision, the people perish:  but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”    Proverbs 29:18

There is no such thing as a no-man’s land between honesty and dishonesty.  Our strength lies in spiritual concepts.  It lies in public sensitiveness to evil.

“These six things doth the Lord hate:  yea, seven are an abomination unto Him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”    (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”   (Proverbs 20:17)

“Diverse weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.”   (Proverbs 20:23)

“Our greatest danger is not from invasion by foreign armies.  Our dangers are that we may commit suicide from within by complaisance with evil, or by public tolerance of scandalous behavior.”         ~ Herbert Hoover

“It will come about at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And I will punish the men who are stagnant in spirit, who say in their hearts, “The Lord will not do good or evil.”     (Zephaniah 1:12)

“And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come take; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”   (Luke 12:19)

“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!”     (Amos 6:1)

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”    I Corinthians 5:11

Either with countries or with individuals, if we are not vigilant, complaisance, dishonesty, immorality, evil associates, envy, lying, drunkenness and all manner of evil will become a part of our lives, and will take down individuals as well as nations.  Let us be sober minded and lead ourselves and our families in righteous directions.  We are no stronger than the weakest link.  Let’s make sure we are the weakest in the chain.  Let righteousness begin with “me.”

“Complacency is easy and a deadly foe to spiritual growth.”

Eileen Light