Is it me or God?

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Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,426
3,477
113
#21
I have a major mental conflicting opinionative battle. I feel my conscience /god is telling me to give up martial arts because if I do it, I condone as an image to others, it's OK to do combat for fun. Even though the martial arts I do is quite passive.
My teacher says there's nothing wrong with training, if I think of it as a meditative state, reacting to force etc. He says my thinking needs to change. I like martial arts training, but don't want the mental imagery of aggressive actions when I am at home etc. It's not yoga, so there is a mental connection to fighting. I keep getting talked into continuing, and it would be a waste of training if I gave it up because im over thinking things, but also if I continue, am I not letting God in. Will I quit later dragging it out, or get over it. Is it god or me? Help
I would go with your conscience.. give it up..
 
N

NewWine

Guest
#23
You know another way to look at this is from the opposite side.....If it's God's will my body will get off this couch and do something physical today..........Nope I didn't move, so it must not be God's will that I cook or do anything for my family today.

If we allow evil to confuse us it will. But the Bible says God is not the author of confusion, but the author of courage and a sound mind, so dude, see this problem for the evil that caused it.
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
9,054
1,051
113
#24
I have a major mental conflicting opinionative battle. I feel my conscience /god is telling me to give up martial arts because if I do it, I condone as an image to others, it's OK to do combat for fun. Even though the martial arts I do is quite passive.
My teacher says there's nothing wrong with training, if I think of it as a meditative state, reacting to force etc. He says my thinking needs to change. I like martial arts training, but don't want the mental imagery of aggressive actions when I am at home etc. It's not yoga, so there is a mental connection to fighting. I keep getting talked into continuing, and it would be a waste of training if I gave it up because im over thinking things, but also if I continue, am I not letting God in. Will I quit later dragging it out, or get over it. Is it god or me? Help
hi Dai3234, welcome to CC!

here are some ideas

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it. And also take a bag.
If you don’t have a sword, sell your coat and buy one.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22&version=NIRV


ECCLESIASTES 3:8 a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.
 

Dai3234

Senior Member
Sep 6, 2016
524
4
0
#25
Are you really considering your conscience is God, or equal to God? That seems to be what you said in your first sentence.
I'm not saying God is my conscience. I'm saying my conscience keeps telling me to give it up. It takes from God. It doesn't give. It takes time, money and focus. Focusing on it removes time, money and focus from God. I gave it up now. And I know it's right, but I still feel really sad.
 

Desertsrose

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2016
2,824
207
63
#26
I'm not saying God is my conscience. I'm saying my conscience keeps telling me to give it up. It takes from God. It doesn't give. It takes time, money and focus. Focusing on it removes time, money and focus from God. I gave it up now. And I know it's right, but I still feel really sad.
Dal, I think most of us understood what you were saying.

I admire you for obeying how you believe God was already leading you.

I'll pray that God will so fill you with peace, joy - serving Him intentionally so that you won't miss it at all. I would like to encourage you as you pray and seek God to get involved in some type of ministry - giving and serving others. There's no greater joy in life than to be doing what God is calling you to do.

Bless you!
 
Jan 27, 2015
2,690
367
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#27
I would go with God's word over my conscience.
God's Word says if you can't do it in faith (without doubts), don't do it.

Romans 14:23 - But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,943
113
#28
I have a major mental conflicting opinionative battle. I feel my conscience /god is telling me to give up martial arts because if I do it, I condone as an image to others, it's OK to do combat for fun. Even though the martial arts I do is quite passive.
My teacher says there's nothing wrong with training, if I think of it as a meditative state, reacting to force etc. He says my thinking needs to change. I like martial arts training, but don't want the mental imagery of aggressive actions when I am at home etc. It's not yoga, so there is a mental connection to fighting. I keep getting talked into continuing, and it would be a waste of training if I gave it up because im over thinking things, but also if I continue, am I not letting God in. Will I quit later dragging it out, or get over it. Is it god or me? Help

Everyone seems to be focusing on the ethical issues, which are obviously bothering you. But what is a red flag to me, is that you are "being talked into continuing". And it would be a "waste of training" if you quit.

You sound like you are at a high enough level, that if you actually needed to use your training to defend your family, you have learned enough. So, if you quit, you are not "wasting" your training at all.

What is the point of going farther, should be the question! Are you looking for different belts, or kudos, or to win competitions? Because what really stood out for me, is that someone has a vested interest in you continuing. And that would the person you give the money to. In other words, if you drop out, not only will he lose income, but maybe he will be chastised by his boss for losing a high level student, guaranteed to give a lot of money in the next few years.

Are you being pressured? Because these studios are sometimes trained in high pressure sales techniques. In fact, you seem to be almost certain that you want to quit, for various reasons, but these people are hanging on to you and won't let go. And although this is martial arts, that is one of the definitions of a cult!

If I were you, I would quit. Then, if you want to go back, that door will not be closed. Or, perhaps a different studio. But get the claws of these leeches out of you. Sorry to be so harsh.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,426
3,477
113
#29
I would go with God's word over my conscience.
The reason i advised Him to go with His conscience is because i believe the Holy Spirit is the one convicting His conscience.. His conscience is in alignment with the God's word in my opinion.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,338
2,427
113
#30
I thought :a man is a protector of the family,

Is in relation to guiding the family, providing etc. I think physical protection under all circumstances is not in the will of Christ. He never laid a hand on anyone in violence. He protected a stoned woman with words, not physical actions. Protecting using physical action can lead to accidental death or intentional. To fear death is to be a slave to it. To fear loss, of family or material things is to be a slave to it. God gives freedom from this. So I'm still stuck, because of training, potentially condoning or showing others it's OK to do training in martial arts or not? Even if it is OK, how do I know if god just wants me to stop anyway, or I'm assuming?
If you don't believe in self defense to protect yourself or your family, then STOP IT.

When someone tries to harm your family... they'll be glad you did.



Now... everybody is happy.
 

Dai3234

Senior Member
Sep 6, 2016
524
4
0
#31
Everyone seems to be focusing on the ethical issues, which are obviously bothering you. But what is a red flag to me, is that you are "being talked into continuing". And it would be a "waste of training" if you quit.

You sound like you are at a high enough level, that if you actually needed to use your training to defend your family, you have learned enough. So, if you quit, you are not "wasting" your training at all.

What is the point of going farther, should be the question! Are you looking for different belts, or kudos, or to win competitions? Because what really stood out for me, is that someone has a vested interest in you continuing. And that would the person you give the money to. In other words, if you drop out, not only will he lose income, but maybe he will be chastised by his boss for losing a high level student, guaranteed to give a lot of money in the next few years.

Are you being pressured? Because these studios are sometimes trained in high pressure sales techniques. In fact, you seem to be almost certain that you want to quit, for various reasons, but these people are hanging on to you and won't let go. And although this is martial arts, that is one of the definitions of a cult!

If I were you, I would quit. Then, if you want to go back, that door will not be closed. Or, perhaps a different studio. But get the claws of these leeches out of you. Sorry to be so harsh.
I understand your point. You may have a point, but that kind of strong influence from a teacher is more likely to push me away. It's more like old and young mixing together. Maybe some pressure, but also concern. It's done now anyway.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#32
The reason i advised Him to go with His conscience is because i believe the Holy Spirit is the one convicting His conscience.. His conscience is in alignment with the God's word in my opinion.
It's not. Ends up him quitting had little to do with God.
 

Dai3234

Senior Member
Sep 6, 2016
524
4
0
#33
I also noticed Paul mentions Christians are not to battle with weapons of the earth, roughly.