step 4

[Pert]

This one's a doozy too! The scripture says (paraphrasing) that if you did not know something was a sin, you are not guilty of the sin. I understand that. I think of little children who may not know not to take that piece of candy from the store, or not to hit his sister, etc. I get that. But that the law is not applicable to all people at all times in all situations is a new concept to me. Looking back, I can see how some people have twisted this concept in an effort to justify something that would otherwise be considered wrong, and that makes me uncomfortable. I don't think that was the original meaning of this exception.

Also, after reading this, I don't think I'm going to choose to focus on this world's evil and vicious ways. This world is getting worse everyday, with no hope for the future. I get that. It's been repeated and repeated and it is the truth, after all. But if all I think about is how awful the world is, then that's going to make me think bad things, so instead I'm going to focus on good things. I have to do that for my own mental health. The end of today's reading is a little gloom and doom. While it is true that peer pressure will assault you on every end, I don't think we should lose sight of the fact that God said He will help us. He promised that He would provide us a way out, and if He doesn't He will give us the strength to make it through (paraphrasing), and shouldn't that provide us a little hope?