By Christopher Moronta ‘22
The Bible is a collection of books that speak about the works of God and his promise to humankind to save them from evil. This sacred book is often used as a way to understand God or to track the records of the Church or Christian religion. The Bible serves many purposes but really there is only one that we should use it for. We as humans often make mistakes and find ourselves lost in the evil of everyday life itself. God speaks to us through the words of the Bible. This book is the key to our consolation and here are three passages that provide us guidance in everyday life.
- At the beginning of the school year
This is one of the hardest times of the year especially for teenagers entering or continuing a new year of high school. There is so much stress with work, grades, making friends, and overall getting through the year. In Proverbs chapter 1 we hear about a man named Solomon who became king of Israel after David his father. Solomon was a man who after God asked to grant him a wish Solomon answered to be gifted wisdom. We all need wisdom in our lives. We need wisdom to make the right choices, the right friends, and the right actions. Proverbs begins with speaking about sinful men. “My son, if sinful men entice you,do not give in to them. If they say, ‘Come along with us’… my son, do not go along with them;do not set foot on their paths for their feet rush into evil.” (Proverbs 1:10-16) This line speaks about evil. Evil tries to tempt us into doing what is not right. We need the wisdom of Solomon to not fall into evil so we can do what is right. In school there comes a time when we need to make friends. There are those who are good and lift us up to new heights and there are those friends who are bad and bring us down into sin. The Bible here tells to be wise with our decisions and not to go where there is evil. Only go where there is good.
- When you are feeling angry or want revenge
We have all had those times where we feel upset and enraged by the actions of others, ourselves, or the things that happen in our lives. It is completely normal to feel angry. Anger is a human emotion you to express feelings of distress. But anger isn’t always necessarily good. Sometimes anger can cause damage especially in most teens and adolescents. They may feel angry with the world or even God for things that happen to them. Matthew 5:22 “ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Matthew tells us that anger is a source of evil and can lead to our downfall. We need to learn to control our anger through forgiveness. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24) So in order to stop anger we need to remember forgiveness and that anger is like a chain that keeps us from heaven.
- When you are acting as a leader
The Bible talks about many great leaders and kings and through history leadership has always played a role towards success. Sometimes we need to act as leader in group activities or in the things we do in our live in order to get work done. Mark 10:43-45 says “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus says leadership comes with gaining trust and then serving those you lead. Only then can you truly get people to follow you.
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