"included offenses"

[com7fy8]

While I was in the military, I was told about what they call "included offenses". An included offense is something you have to do in order to be able to commit a crime that it would be hard to catch you doing.

For example, prostitution might be against regulations. But it can be impossible for you to be witnessed doing the actual act which is illegal. So, they make other regulations against things which can be witnessed and which are included in committing the crime of prostitution.

For example, they might make it illegal for you to enter a "redlight" area or a building where people go in order to hire prostitutes. And they might make it a crime to ask someone to do a prostitution thing with you. These included things can be more easily proven.

And, maybe a little like this, there can be rules for us Christians, which can help to keep us from getting into more and more sin, and to avoid what are considered to be more destructive sins.

We are told not to argue or complain. Philippians 2:14 says,

"Do all things without complaining and disputing,"

Arguing and complaining can seem like they are not a big deal. However > one little argument can be what sparks much worse stuff. For example, a man could get hurt and broken in arguing with his wife; and I was told, once, how a guy got in an argument with his wife, then broke down enough to go and commit adultery. And I read in a secular counseling book that in one study wives said their depression problems started when there was increased arguing in their marriages.

One sin can lead to another, and to more and more emotional trouble.

And about complaining - - we see what became of ones who were not "thankful". In Romans 1:18-32, look at how ones were able to become, starting from not being "thankful" (Romans 1:21).

Edited August 22, 2023 by com7fy8

[FJK]

There used to be a saying "The family that prays together stays together".

You don't hear that much anymore.

[Starise]

One thing I have found. It's impossible to curse when I am thankful.

[Mr. M]

7 hours ago, com7fy8 said:

While I was in the military, I was told about what they call "included offenses". An included offense is something you have to do in order to be able to commit a crime that it would be hard to catch you doing.

This is exactly why we are instructed:

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

7 hours ago, com7fy8 said:

Arguing and complaining can seem like they are not a big deal. However > one little argument can be what sparks much worse stuff. For example, a man could get hurt and broken in arguing with his wife; and I was told, once, how a guy got in an argument with his wife, then broke down enough to go and commit adultery. And I read in a secular counseling book that in one study wives said their depression problems started when there was increased arguing in their marriages.

 

Not to mention the fact that in a homicide investigation,

the first person of interest is the spouse!

This demands wisdom from above to overcome.

James 3:

14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, 

do not boast and lie against the truth. 

15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 

16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

EVERY EVIL can come from one heated argument!

[TheBlade]

Paul was instructing the Philippians about the necessity of allowing the sanctification process to work. He added they need to do it with out murmurings and disputing's. If we look at the word murmurings is a onomatopoetic work gongusmon a word in which the sound resembles is meaning which refers to undertone mumbling. Israelites did this in the wilderness. 

If we keep going 15 starts off with "that" yet there were no chapters and verses when this was written. So we as believers should become blameless and harmless. Blameless literally means free from defect" and "harmless "has the sense of unadulterated. The latter was often used in that day to distinguish wine that had been watered down. This all takes place in a wicked and perverse generation.