Romans 12:18 NKJV - "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."
There is one "rule" in this thread, and it is that we would come together and offer our ideas. We do not belittle or berate. In this thread, we must talk to one another with the Love of Christ within our hearts.
Now . . . LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!
So, I've been watching the UFC for over twenty years. I know these people . . . I have "relationships" with them in my mind. I remember many of them before they had children. You get my "drift."
Honestly, I hate violence. I can't stand seeing anyone be hurt . . . especially the broken legs and some of the extreme beatings that take place. My heart is so sensitive that it pains me deeply to see people suffer. In my last relationship, my girlfriend would even laugh as she saw some people be smashed into oblivion. And even though I, too, was rooting against the same person, I didn't want to see "him" get hurt. I think I even said something like, "It isn't funny." Frankly, I was disgusted that she could laugh at another human be beating into a bloody pulp.
I know that one day I'm going to have to stop watching this sport, but again, I [KNOW] these people (as best I can without having met or spoken with them.)
What do you think? Is it time for me to quit watching this sport . . . or not?
I think for you it is time to stop. You must be responsive to the leading of the Spirit. I used to watch UFC myself. It was really the only sport I enjoyed watching. I think the root reason was wishing I had the skills they had just in case I ever had to take down a bad guy or protect myself.
Nevertheless, I was a drunkard at that time and it was part of my drunken world. Now that I have been reading the Word and have been pressing into the full life of dedication to preaching the Gospel as my main goal in life I no longer engage in any form or entertainment. I read commentaries and study the Word of God when I am not engaged in active ministry tasks. My love for the Word of God satisfies me in a way that entertainment never could. The Word has become my entertainment.
I don't watch movies or TV. Occasionally I will watch a David Attenborough documentary about fish or something or a cooking video but I don't waste time with video addictions.
As a result of almost no media exposure for nearly 5 years now, I find many things offensive to my pure conscience that I was once desensitized to. Including UFC. I am offended by the whole culture. It is altogether other than the Love, kindness, mercy, and human compassion involved in Gospel ministry and I cannot put on the "It's just a sport hat" and pretend I am someone else for an hour or two.
The whole, "lets be a different kind of person for an hour" than what we are when we are in prayer is not something I can do.
You are probably being transformed by the renewing of your mind and wondering whether you are being too legalistic on yourself.
I would say, follow your heart and go deep in the Word and Gospel ministry and forget about why other people don't have the same views as you do. Not many are going to go deep in the things of God as the prophets that they wish they were. Be that one in a million. Stand alone.
Become a stranger to all that is of this world. Find pleasure in the holy things of God and don't think you are strange if you feel you can no longer be entertained by things you once were insensitive to. This is a good sign that you are actually following the path of obedience in the Spirit one decision at a time.
The more you obey the promptings of the Spirit the deeper into the light you will come until you will look back at the things you once tolerated and be appalled that others don't see things the way you do. But we must not think less of them, remembering that it is a progressive journey for each of us.
But remember that simply to remove these worldly amusements from ones life will not in itself cause one to come into the light. One must be lead there, by acting on the prompting of the Spirit and removing things that we begin to question, because one believes it is not pleasing to God and they desire to please the Lord because they love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Only then can they know the path of holiness and the difference between the Spirit and legalism.
But how do I know if it is not pleasing to God or just me putting unnecessary restrictions on myself. You have probably heard this before, but it is good advice. "If you have to ask yourself "is it a sin?" it probably is something you should put off. Once you put it off you will be able to see clearly and looking back after you have been abstinent from it for a while you will probably say ..."Yes, it was a sin for Me..." and you will not want to return to it.
The joyful life is the holy life. An indescribable joy is available for those who free themselves from this world by obedience to the Spirit and those who choose to compromise and tolerate worldliness in all it's many forms have no idea what great joy they are missing if they were to change their mindset to a "no compromise" heart for Christ.