The Decrees

 

DECREE #1:

Wrong No One

What does it mean to wrong someone?

Doesn’t it ultimately mean that our behavior towards them offends them, and causes them to FEEL a DESTRUCTIVE EMOTION toward us, whether resentment, anger or hatred?

But what behaviors do we enact that trigger these destructive emotions or responses in others?

And more importantly:

How can we train ourselves to stop them, and thus short-circuit the ill-will they are likely going to project onto us, which would otherwise have been the cause of disharmony with them?

For isn’t it true that if we DON’T trigger such destructive emotions in others, peace and harmony will abide in our relationships with them as a natural result?

But if we DO trigger them, won’t we incite silent resentment and bitterness in the recipient that may very well come out later to our detriment, or else they get upset and start getting aggressive and argumentative with us?

So the aim of this work then is to eliminate all our the behaviors that trigger negative emotions in others from our conduct or character. And in order to do this, we must first learn what they are and identify them in ourselves for the purpose of correcting them.

Let me ask you this:

Can you correct a bad habit if you don’t know you’re doing it?

And how can you recognize that bad habit in yourself unless you’re first enlightened on what you’re doing wrong, and why it’s wrong?

Without these, are you not damned to triggering destructive emotions in others and making them resent you which leads to discord, likely without even knowing it?

Now, all these behaviors that trigger destructive emotions in others are INCITED or MOTIVATED by certain sins made up by the SINFUL NATURE; and they can be categorized into such.

But what are these sins?

And what are the negative behaviors associated with each one?

And finally, what negative results do they produce?

That’s what’s to follow: the sins, their expressions, the destructive reactions they trigger in others, and the negative results this produces in your relationships with them.

They will be introduced as instructions, under each sin heading.

Here they are:

1. Jealousy

INSTRUCTION #1:

“If you don’t want people nitpicking your faults and putting you down, don’t find fault with others.”

How have you felt when someone nitpicked your faults and brought your every tiny little mistake and shortcoming into the forefront of the conversation, and then disapproved and reprimanded you for them?

What was your gut level reaction to this kind of behavior?

Didn’t you immediately want to resist, object and deny what they were saying internally most times, and then feel the urge to defend yourself and argue your case or your side, or else retaliate by turning the tables and picking apart THEIR faults instead?

Fault-finding triggers us and leads to discord and disharmony: either the resentment it generates will be silently harbored (and likely come out in terrible ways later), or it will be responded to with outward hostility and aggression.

Both are destructive emotions that lead to conflicted outcomes.

So if expressing jealousy by fault-finding and nitpicking only lead to discord and disharmony, would it not be wise not inflict this kind of negative behavior on others, which would otherwise trigger their resentment and instigate conflict between you?

However, at the same time, shouldn’t a wayward brother or sister be chastened for their follies, even when it upsets them, if the inconvenience later puts them right?

INSTRUCTION #2:
“If you don’t want your greed exploited with bribes and free things, don’t bribe others.”

Isn’t it true that anyone who has lived long enough to experience the aftermath of things knows that those who accept “something for nothing” eventually have to pay that debt, often through loss of reputation and earning power?

It’s human nature to want things now, and for free or no effort, but did you know the Cosmic Law demands a service for every reward?

Thus, if you investigate, how likely is it you will find that those who are exploited for their greed – they’re offered benefits for their cooperation in unrighteous aims, which is usually one of control – they will eventually end up in a worse state than they were in before they accepted the bribe?

And wouldn’t you agree that after realizing this, they would be outraged at the perpetrator who took advantage of their desire for “something for nothing”, when they realize it comes with grave penalties and devastated results?

So if expressing jealousy by exploiting others greed to gain the loyalties only leads later to their hatred and contempt for us when they finally realize we’ve tricked them into an undesirable situation, wouldn’t it be wise to not to manipulate people in this manner?

However, who would argue blessing our loved ones with modest gifts they’ll delight in isn’t loving and good?

INSTRUCTION #3:
“If you don’t want people to stroke your ego with flattery, don’t flatter others.”

How have you felt when someone’s complimented or flattered you, only to find out later it was false, or that that person flattered everyone they encountered in the same way, making you realize it was meaningless appreciation?

Not impressed, right?

What did you really think and how did you really feel about it?

Didn’t you detest and resent their insincerity along with their hidden agenda to win your love and respect by buying or trying to coerce it with phony praise, all designed to inflate your ego so you’d be susceptible to their charm?

In fact, didn’t that only result in making you feel ill toward them afterwards?

So if, after the initial gratitude, expressing jealousy by insincerely flattering others for the purpose of coveting their love and respect is just going to ultimately trigger resentment in them and later repel them, wouldn’t it be wise not to flatter others in this manner?

But sincere compliments that are truthful and good? Wonderful, uplifting things!

INSTRUCTION #4:
If you don’t want people to thwart your efforts to find and keep love, don’t thwart others.”

Have you ever pursued the affections of a loved one, only for someone else to try and thwart your efforts, either by trying to make the prospect look undesirable in your eyes to turn you off, painting a negative picture of you in their eyes behind your back, or otherwise placing stumbling blocks in the path to your union?

It’s frustrating and almost enraging, isn’t it?

But isn’t it true that insanely insecure and jealous people suffer from the delusion that if they can’t have someone, they’ll make it their mission to stop anyone else from getting them too?

But doesn’t this just repel the very person they desire by them doing this through their jealousy and desperation?

Isn’t it a guaranteed way for them to lose their beloved?

So if expressing jealousy by seeking to thwart others search for love not only angers the suitor, it also generates resentment in the beloved, would it not be wise to stop this negative behavior, as it moves us further away from what we want?

However, if loved ones need to be protected from charming scoundrels or other cunning threats, then shouldn’t a little bit of thwarting have it’s place?

5. “If you don’t want people gossiping and talking rotten about you behind your back, don’t gossip about others.”

6. “If you don’t want people to stalk you and snoop through your things, don’t stalk and snoop regarding others.”

7. “If you don’t want other suitors to devalue you to your beloved, don’t devalue other suitors.”

8. “If you don’t want people begging and pleading for your love, don’t beg and plead others.”

2. Envy

9. “If you don’t want people criticizing you and tearing you apart for your efforts, don’t criticize others.”

10. “If you don’t want people to try to discredit you and your message, don’t try to discredit others.”

11. “If you don’t want people to sabotage your efforts to succeed, don’t sabotage others.”

12. “If you don’t want trying to discourage you and place doubts in their mind, don’t discourage others.”

13. “If you don’t want people aggressively completing with you, don’t compete with others.”

2. 3. Intolerance

14. “If you don’t want to be bullied and pushed around, don’t bully others.”

15. “If you don’t want to be shamed and humiliated, don’t shame others.”

16. “If you don’t want to be mocked, don’t mock others.”

17. “If you don’t want to be censored or silenced, don’t censor others.

18. “

3. 4. Lust

DECREE #2:

Keep A Calm Mind

What causes irritation?

Isn’t it when someone inconveniences us or mildly slights us?

And what about rage?

What makes us angry?

Isn’t either when we’re legitimately wronged, or else we feel we’ve been wronged, and these offences are great?

But when we’re reacting to these slights and offences, are we at peace with ourselves and the world, in a frame of mind where we can make rational decisions?

Are we exhibiting a calm, non-reactive mind?

We all KNOW the answer.

DECREE #3: Forgive Wrongs!

Decree #4: Seek To Make Amends!

Decree #5: Serve Those In Need!

Decree #6: Wait Upon The LORD!