Deterrents Serve a Purpose....

I recently read of a story about how parents who placed boundaries on their children behaviors, prevented them in the future from becoming drug users, sex addicts, or alcoholics. Simply by putting limits on certain activities, and discussing why these limits were there, acted as a deterrent to those types of behaviors. I look to society today and I see the protests going on everywhere. Sure people have the right to protest, but it seems like their rights to protest trump the rights of those displaying “deterrents” to certain types of behavior; abortion, same sex relationships, redefining the absolute meanings of words, and the legalization of certain drugs, to name a few. If research proves deterrents are useful and effective, why then are so many people protesting the display of them? One answer might just be that people have a hatred for light. Light exposes evil deeds. These people want to be left alone in the dark where they can continue live out their free-will, on their own terms. That’s fine with me. I only have a problem when they tell me I have to accept their behavior, and must teach my children that it’s okay, and when I refuse, they want to punish me. Hypocrisy is one thing Jesus hated, and brought to light in many instances. Tolerance is a double-edged sword. People need to be careful how they hold it, or it just may sever their own hand. Deterrents serve a purpose, God knows this. It’s why there will always be people speaking truth into a dark world. To rescue the remaining people destined for His Glory. Effective discipline/punishment will always be a deterrent to sinful behavior.

24 And as they go out, they will seethe dead bodies of those who have rebelled against Me.For the worms that devour them will never die,and the fire that burns them will never go out.All who pass by will view them with utter horror.” Isaiah 66:24