Moral Turpitude

There is a trend that seems to be growing.  I remember seeing the development of it in a high school classroom 20 years ago, and vehemently arguing against it then.  It is this concept that "Knowledge is power" and that we should "Seek Knowledge" with all cost.  My teacher (Who was an excellent teacher in his own right, but a sinner, encouraging and justifying others to sin none  the less) routinely taught us that we must seek knowledge (worldy knowledge) above all else.  We even had a special hand sign to use in hallways, pep rallies, football games, etc that meant "seek knowledge".  I want you, dear reader, to understand that I have nothing against the pursuit of knowledge.  My issue is the source of the knowledge.  Mankind has come up with many "great" ideas throughout history...let's list a few shall we?  Prostitution, slavery, taxes, fraud, deception, we could probably fill multiple pages with the inherently evil things that mankind has come up with.  The issue that struck me tonight is a term than many of you may not be familiar with.  It comes primarily from the legal community and is called "Moral Turpitude" and is defined by Wikipedia as:

The concept of "moral turpitude" might escape precise definition, but it has been described as an "act of baseness, vileness, or depravity in the private and social duties which a man owes to his fellowmen, or to society in general, contrary to the accepted and customary rule of right and duty between man and man."

In other words, someone guilty of "Moral turpitude" is like a wolf in sheeps clothing, appearying to be one thing, but in fact being the other.  They corrupt those around them, corrupting them and tearing away at who they are.  Let's tie this in with some scripture and see how that lines up with what the Bible says about the importance of our character.

"Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:33, 34 ESV)"

When we keep bad company, we become prey to someone who has "morale terpitude".  We may not intend to "go that far", "behave that way", etc. but what ends up happening is that we are so overcome by the coruptness that we give in to sin and temptation...hence the "ruins good morals" part of the verse.  I'm not saying don't have friends who aren't Christians, however, I am saying that you should stack the deck in your favor...if their will be 4 unbelievers, why not bring along 8 believers?  You'll probably have more fun and a heck of a lot better chance presenting the gospel!  

We must be cautious about our company and avoid getting labled as a person or one who associates with person/persons with "Moral turpitude".  Live the gospel loud, and this will be fix itself.  

This message is intended to encourage you, not to discourage you.  Feel free to email or post with any questions, comments, etc.  God bless each of you.  You have my daily prayers and I am personally thankful for each one of you who read this.  To God alone be the glory, Amen.