In a world that often prioritizes instant gratification and quick success, the need for men and women to embrace scrupulousness has never been more critical. The erosion of ethical behavior and the temptation to cut corners in pursuit of our goals are becoming alarmingly common. It’s high time we reevaluate our values and look to Jesus as a foundation for a more principled life.
The Instant Gratification Mentality
All around us, we witness a growing number of people who are willing to take shortcuts to achieve their objectives. Consider this recent example: While teaching my students how to set up accounts on various print-on-demand platforms to sell their digital art and graphic designs, I discovered that many of these platforms had age restrictions, typically requiring users to be 18 years or older.
When I informed my students of these restrictions and shared that I had emailed their parents with instructions on setting up accounts, a surprising number of them asked if we could simply lie about their age and set up the accounts now…in class…today. This scenario sadly illustrates a growing trend, especially among younger adults and children, where rules and laws are seen as mere obstacles to be circumvented. Inconveniences on a path to gratification.
The Curse Of “Instant Gratification”
As a teacher and observer of the next generation, I noticed a foundational pillar to this problem lies in the era of instant gratification that we currently inhabit. We’ve grown accustomed to getting what we want quickly and with minimal effort. Want a pizza in 5-10 minutes? Done! Want to stream your favorite movie in under 30 seconds? Done! Want to publicly criticize someone who hurt your feelings in one minute or less? Done! We live in an age where access to an abundance of resources and information is just a click away. We’ve lost the value in “good things come to those who wait.”
There is quite a bit of value in working hard for something, seeing it to completion, and then reflecting on the effort and time that was put into the success of the endeavor. We’re slowly losing that sense of gratification that is gained through patiently building something, working through problems, and experiencing the blessing of time as it does its work to cultivate something awesome! Shortcuts and scheming are quickly taking the place of detail, organization, and good character.
Stop Being OK With “Just a Little Bad”
What’s particularly disheartening is the rationalization that often accompanies these shortcuts. When asked whether disobeying rules and laws is the right thing to do, many individuals respond with phrases like, “It’s just a little bad,” or “It won’t hurt anybody.” However, the fact remains: bad is bad, whether it’s a little or a lot.
Let’s revisit a story that underscores this point. A father’s children once asked to go see a “blockbuster movie” that had some inappropriate content. The father, being responsible, researched the movie and found it unsuitable for his family due to explicit language and scenes. When he informed his children of this decision, they argued, “But it’s only a little bad. There’s just a little bit of cussing, nudity, and inappropriate behavior.”
In a clever response, the father agreed to take them to the movie but insisted on baking cookies first. The children eagerly indulged in the cookies, devouring five each, only to discover that their dad had told them he’d added “just a little bit of cat poop” to the cookie dough.
Naturally, their reaction was one of disgust, and they spat out the cookies, questioning their father’s actions. His response was profound: “Oh, it was just a little cat poop. It wasn’t much… just a little.” The lesson was clear: “Just a little” of something bad is still unacceptable.
Be Scrupulous!
What we’re witnessing in society today is a lack of scruples—the absence of moral and ethical principles that should guide our actions. In a world obsessed with shortcuts, unethical means to an end, and immoral paths to so-called “success,” we must rise above this tide.
To be scrupulous means adhering to a higher moral standard, one that doesn’t compromise ethics or integrity for immediate gain. It’s about valuing honesty, fairness, and justice over shortcuts and deception.
Wisdom From The Word!
A great piece of biblical scripture that conveys the concept of being scrupulous can be found in Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Here, God teaches us that those who have pure and scrupulous hearts, free from deceit and moral impurity, will have a closer connection to God and His divine presence. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high standard of moral purity and integrity in one’s thoughts, actions, and intentions.
Bottom Line Y’all…
In a world that often blurs the lines between right and wrong, let us turn to Jesus as our foundation for a more scrupulous life. He provides the guidance and principles needed to navigate the complexities of modern society while maintaining our moral compass. Embracing scrupulousness is not just a personal choice; it’s a call to be better, to do better, and to strive for a world where integrity prevails over expediency.
Mitch Fairchild 
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