What Are Consequences?
Commentary By Gera’el Toma aka Gerald W Thomas
The majority of the population of this world feels there is no consequences from breaking our Creators Instructions. People feel they can go on living their lives anyway they like that is totally against Scripture and break all of YAHUAH’s Commands without being any repercussions.
I hate to break the news to you they will be consequences breaking the Sabbath and YAHUAH’s Set-Apart Days and Appointments we call Feasts Days.
On the other hand they will be good and positive consequences if we do obey ABBA YAHUAH’s Instructions.
What are consequences?
Consequences are the events that follow immediately after the target behavior and are contingent on the behavior (occur if only if the behavior occurs)
There are 2 major kinds of consequences
Reinforcers: which increase behavior they follow
Punishers: which decrease behavior they follow
The label, reinforcer or punisher, is given after examining the behavior for changes.
It is not given on the basis of how most react to the event.
It is given on the basis of how the behavior of the particular subject reacts to the event.
You can make an educated guess as to whether a particular event is likely to function as a reinforcer (e.g., candy) or as a punisher (e.g., a spanking).
However, the proof is in the behavior.
What is a Reinforcer?
A reinforcer is any consequence that causes the preceding behavior to increase. The increase may be in intensity, frequency, magnitude or some other quality.
There are two subtypes:
Positive
Negative
1. Positive Reinforcer
Events that increase behavior (and are contingent on the behavior) may be presented to the subject (e.g., candy). This is what most people think of as a reinforcer. Its proper name is positive reinforcer.
Positive comes from medical terminology which means that something is added or present (e.g., when a test for cancer comes back positive, it means cancer is present).
To learn more about Positive Reinforcement, including detailed explanations of reinforcers, visit Positive Reinforcement: A Self-Instructional Exercise (http://server.bmod.athabascau.ca/html/prtut/reinpair.htm)
2. Another type of reinforcer
There is another type of reinforcer.
Some behavior increases because it allows the subject to avoid something.
For example, cleaning the room allows a child to escape a parent’s nagging. In this case, an event is subtracted or absent. This type of reinforcer is called a negative reinforcer (e.g., when a test for cancer comes back negative, it means there is no cancer). When the behavior is emitted, the unpleasant or aversive stimulus stops. The behavior allows the person to escape an aversive situation and thus the behavior is repeated or increased the next time around.
Common Confusions
It is very common to confuse the term negative reinforcer with the term punishment. But remember that the key difference is, a negative reinforcer increases behavior and a punisher decreases behavior.
The more important part of the term “negative reinforcer” is the “reinforcer” part. A common mistake is to focus on the “negative” and think that means unpleasant.
Actually the person is quite happy to avoid or escape the situation and will work hard (increase behavior) to do so.
It may help to think of the “positive” and “negative” as referring to the two sides of a coin. You will work to get the reinforcement and that may be in order to get the coin (positive reinforcer) or to avoid being without coins (negative reinforcer).
Very often in real life examples, both types of reinforcers function together.
However, in many instances one or the other has a dominant role. For example, in running from a fire, avoiding being burned likely has greater immediate impact than whatever positive event waits at the end of the run.
Immediacy is your guide to what to place greater weight upon. Which event (consequence) occurs more immediately?
On exam questions, read questions carefully to see if any particular consequences are identified. But remember, first look to see what the behavior is doing (increasing– reinforcement; decreasing–punishment)
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For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of YAHUAH: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Besorah of YAHUAH? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the wicked and the sinner appear?
KEPHA RI’SHON (1 PETER) 4:17-18
What Are the 3 Temptations of the World?
“We know that we are of YAHUAH, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” 1 John 5:19
The world was created good. The world and all that is in it was created for our enjoyment and pleasure and points us to a good ELOHIYM who loves us and desires our good pleasure. However, something is wrong.
Often we hear that the world is evil and that we should avoid it and remain separate from it. As followers of YAHUSHA, we can be confused by the notion that the world YAHUAH created and came to redeem is evil.
Are we not to be in the world?
What does Scripture mean regarding “not loving the world or the things in the world”?
What does “friendship with the world is enmity with YAHUAH” look like?
How do we make sense of “not being in the world” or “not being friends with the world” in light of YAHUAH placing us here in this world at this specific time?
Something must be wrong in the world.
How Does John Define “Loving the World”?
The apostle John, who spoke of not loving the world, defines his terms in 1 John 2:15 when he said, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of YAHUAH abides forever.”
Several observations can be made from 1 John 2:15-17. The first observation: John defines what he means by the world in verse 16. John describes three specific categories of sin that must be avoided in the world. This sin is what John is referring to as the world.
The first sin is the lust of the flesh, the second is the lust of the eyes, and the third is the pride of life. These three sins are similar to the temptations Adam and Eve faced in the Garden of Eden—succumbing to which is what destroyed their relationship with YAHUAH, as well as destroyed all that was to be right and good in the world.
First, they were tempted by their physical needs and ate the fruit, choosing it above their relationship with YAHUAH. This was the result of giving in to lust of the flesh.
Second, they were tempted by desiring that which would harm them because it looked pleasurable. This was the lust of the eye.
Third, they were tempted to be their own god. When the serpent said they would be like ELOHIYM if they ate the fruit, this was the pride of life (See Genesis 3:1).
YAHUSHA was tempted three times
These three sins, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life,” are depicted in YHUSHA’ own temptation in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1, as well.
Here, YAHUSHA was tempted to sin against YAHUAH by pursuing worldly things rather than YAHUAH’s. He was tempted by His physical needs, the lust of the flesh, when He was tempted to turn the stones into bread.
Next, YAHUSHA was tempted to do something spectacular by throwing Himself off the temple and having His angels rescue Him, the lust of the eyes.
Finally, YAHUSHA was tempted to receive all the kingdoms of the world if He worshiped Satan; this is idol worship and the pride of life (See Matthew 4:1).
These three temptations that YAHUSHA resisted in the wilderness mirror Adam and Eve’s temptations and sin in Garden and reflects what John defines as loving the world, the sins of “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”
The next observation we can make from John in verse 17: “the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of YAHUAH abides forever” is that he was warning us against sins that lead to death and about pleasures in sin that are not eternal.
He was saying these pleasures will not last and instead lead to death. John was contrasting clearly the differences between the temporary sins and pleasures in this life and the eternal pleasures to come.
John’s concern was for the believer to have an eternal perspective and not to place stock in temporary pleasures, which all are fleeting. The pleasures of this temporary world are not comparable with the pleasures and blessings to come in eternity with YAHUAH. YAHUAH has our best in mind.
Loving the World More than YAHUAH is Idolatry
The final observation we can make from John is from the context of his whole letter.
From the context, we find John concludes his letter with an appeal to his readers to “keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).
John was saying that loving the world and the things in the world above YAHUAH is idolatry. Simply put, John was speaking against idol worship. John goes on to say in 1 John 5:18:
“We know that whoever is born of YAHUAH does not sin; but he who has been born of YAHUAH keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know we are of YAHUAH, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. We know the Son of YAHUAH has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH. This is the true ELOHIYM and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
John is not the only Scripture author who defined terms such as this. James also defined loving the world or friendship with the world as idol worship. In James 4:4, James speaks of pride and unfaithfulness to YAHUAH as unfaithfulness and adultery, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know friendship with the world is enmity with YAHUAH? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of YAHUAH. Or do you think the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?'” James emphasizes that our ELOHIYM is a jealous ELOHIYM and desires our worship and well-being.
This world was created good. The world and all that is in it was created for our enjoyment and pleasure. However, sin has marred the world’s goodness, and its charms have strived for our affections under the influence or sway of Satan. YAHUAH desires us. YAHUAH yearns for us jealously and desires to give us so much more than what the world can offer. As far as we see beauty and goodness through sin’s shadows in this world, that goodness is pointing us to Someone better, the Author of life itself, YAHUAH. YAHUAH knows the pleasures and sin in this world can lead us away from Him and can harm us. YAHUAH also knows this world is passing away, and He knows He is going to make all things new. YAHUAH desires our best and wants our good pleasure in Him, in this lifetime and in the next.
May we not be led astray by “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Would we come to the Author of life and receive life eternal from Him?
THE TRUE MEAING OF SIN
Sin Is The Transgression Of The Torah
4 Anyone who commits sin violates Torah, for sin is the transgression of the Torah. [5822]
First John (Yochanan Alef) 3:4 RSTNE
Footnote:
[5822] Therefore most believers who consider themselves “saints” are still sinning sinners. It may be a great time for a personal reality check, based on Scripture’s definition of sin and sinful behavior.23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of YHUH is eternal chayim through YAH-USHA Ha Moshiach our Master.
Romans (Romiyah) 6:23 RSTNE 7th Edition
Glossary of Hebrew Words:
Chayim / Life
Beloved Friends & Natsariym Brothers & Sisters, Our Beliefs and Ideas have Consequences!
Standing for Scriptural Truth and Historical Facts comes with a price.
Not only will you lose friends and family relationships you will also be Rejected Vehemently by the Secular and Religious World.
People can even lose their jobs and means of making a living when Owners and Management Heads of these Corporations we call the Government learn of Your Stand for Righteous Living according to The Torah and The Scriptures. You will be treated poorly and rejected by all. Even imprisonment and death.
The time has come to where they have made it illegal to hold Home Scripture Studies in many places across America. That will include Shabbat Gatherings in your own Home. The Noahide Laws will soon be enforced. It will soon be illegal for Truth Seekers to Observe the Sabbath and the Feasts of YAHUAH and will be prohibited and a criminal offense to even speak or spell the Name of YAHUAH or YAHUSHA.
They will even use anything you have shared on any Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Internet to gather personal information about you to build a Profile on you and creating Trend Data how you tend to think and respond to different scenarios if poised in such a situation and hold it against you because you do not go with the mainstream way of thinking or their narrative.
It is simply gathering Data for the PreCog Police or in simple terms the Thought Police to come and arrest us that are Truth Seekers and Truth Talkers. They want us silenced.
REMEMBER!
The Closer we get to Him the more Narrow The Path…
The Fewer the Companions…
Till We Stand Alone with Him… Our YAHUAH ELOHIYM!
Weigh the Cost – Pay the Price – Be Set-Apart
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For whether we live, we live unto YAHUAH; and whether we die, we die unto YAHUAH: whether we live therefore, or die, we are YAHUAH’S.
ROMAIYM (ROMANS) 14:8
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his staff daily, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
LUQAS (LUKE) 9:23-24
If The World Accepts You Then There’s A Clear Sign That You Still Belong To It.
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This is what Our Master, YAHUSHA, told us would happen when Following Him: You Shall Be Hated Of All Men For My Name’s Sake
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Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of YAHUAH.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 5:10-12
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the other people.
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
For it is not ye that speak, but the RUACH of your Father which speaks in you.
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for amein I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Yisrael, till the Son of Adam is come.
MATTITHYAHU (MATTHEW) 10:17-23
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABEL THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the qodeshiym, and with the blood of the martyrs of YAHUSHA: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
CHIZAYON (REVELATION) 17:4-6
Don’t worry when relatives and friends distance themselves or laugh and make fun of you about this Truth.
THAT’S SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN
Shalom!
Your Brother,
Gera’el Toma in New Hebron, Mississippi
