How to Give Life
by Brandon Jubar
Life isn't just about being alive. It's about living -- dreaming dreams,
setting goals, and doing what's right. It's about who we are and who we
might become. Take that away from someone, and you may have broken the
Fifth Commandment!
The Bible commands, "You shall not kill." That seems like a
fairly easy commandment to keep -- if murder is all that it covers.
The unjust taking of an innocent life is pretty clear, and most of us
will never come close to doing it. But what if "killing" is
more than that?
Killing the Spirit
When we do things to hurt others emotionally, we are violating the Fifth
Commandment because we are killing their spirit. It's impossible to separate
our bodies and souls in order to treat them differently.
So, when we kill the soul of another, we may as well be taking their life.
In fact, losing one’s soul is even worse than bodily death. People
who commit suicide have often had their spirits crushed to the point where
death seems to them like a better alternative than living.
Giving Life
We
have the power to hurt people, but we also have the power to help them
heal. Instead of killing the spirits of people we know, why not take steps
to give them life?
Step 1: Stop tearing people down. Almost all of us hurt
others, even though we think it is all in fun. Being the butt of a friend's
joke can still hurt.
Step 2: Build people up. Instead of making a wisecrack,
give a compliment. It feels good to know that someone appreciates you
and the things you do.
Step 3: Don't stop with yourself. When you see people hurting
the spirit of another, stop them. It may be uncomfortable to confront
at first, but it's important to step up when we know a wrong is being
committed.
It's a simple three-step process, but it just may make all the difference
in the world to someone. Imagine how much fun life would be if people
stopped killing each others' spirits and started taking steps to give
life instead!
FAITHteen Home | About FAITHteen | FAITH Magazine | Sign-up for FAITHteen
[ Premiere
Issue | Issue
#2 | Issue #3
| Issue #4 |
Issue #5 | Issue
#6 | Issue #7
| Issue #8 ]
[ Issue #9 |
Issue #10 |
Issue #11 |
Issue #12 |
Issue#13 | Issue#14
| Issue #15
| Issue #16
]